Illegal Work ?

[cardholder]

The problem starts only if somebody is denouncing you. And the cops won't tell you who it was.

Happened to a guy in Pattaya who did some ironing in his wifes laundry business.

Fortunately the OP and Chris1DNA are not in Pattaya and are unlikely to be 'grassed up'.

Cutting rice is part of the so-called integration. I managed half an hour, the family laughed at my ineptitude and we all went and got pissed.

I was not asked, and it was not expected that I should 'assist' in future years.

To bentje60 I would just say - be aware of how far you wish to 'integrate'. There is actually no such thing but playing a role within the family/community is certainly acceptable.

Don't forget what 'normality' actually is and try and find a Falang to speak to at least once a month and try to see an English language film at a cinema at least once a year (make the wife watch with subtitles!).

[squarethecircle]

Thank you Jim. So cops work differently in Isaan, than here in Phuket. A friend of mine who has a workpermit as a dive instructor, was painting a roof for his and his wife's motorbikes. Somebody was taking a photo of him painting. The next day 4 cops arrived, showed him the picture and threatened him. It cost him 20'000 Baht to get rid of them. An other guy, married to a Thai, with 3 children, was helping his wife to unload some crates of fruit at a market. The cops showed up, and he spent 3 days in prison. What can I say? ( I have lived the last 20 years happily in Thailand)

Yes, cops definitely work differently in Isaan than. Phuket, Pattaya, etc. (If you're considering moving to Pattaya, I pity ya. Pondering a visit to Phuket? <deleted> it.). You would have to do something other than chopping at rice to get them to call immigration. I always got waved through roadblocks, etc., in that area. Other farang told me of pulling up to DUI checkpoints clearly drunk (on motorbikes) and being waved through. They're busy with other things, such as Lao or Vietnamese illegal workers, smuggling, etc.

OTOH, the way we act does appear very strange to them. The Bangkok Thais seem to look up to European-origins, buy chemicals to make their skin look white, etc. They look down on Isaan Thais who are willing to do such work. And you show up and want to do such work to integrate with their daily life. They find our behavior puzzling at times.

[SlyAnimal]

As most of the others have said, it's technically illegal but it's very unlikely you'll get caught while in the Isaan countryside (in udon/Nong Khai or nest a big city it might be different though).

As anyone who would try and stitch you up, would only be looking for a bribe because you're farang. However with a couple of the exceptions above most isaan police are reasonably honest (in my experience anyway)

[jamescollister]

As most of the others have said, it's technically illegal but it's very unlikely you'll get caught while in the Isaan countryside (in udon/Nong Khai or nest a big city it might be different though).

As anyone who would try and stitch you up, would only be looking for a bribe because you're farang. However with a couple of the exceptions above most isaan police are reasonably honest (in my experience anyway)

Out side of the cities, Issan cops are locals and everyone is family, they live in the villages do there job, but step over the line and they are out. Remember the cops come under the district Governor and he can have them transferred to the deep south.

I have never paid a penny to the police, all I have ever seen is smiling faces, that are happy to help. Even to the point where a new Police major came round to introduce himself, there are only a few farangs out here and they work farms and partake in the local life. Some like me have kids that attend the same schools as the cops etc, We may be illegal doing some things, but we are part of the bigger family. Jim

[MobileContent]

As most of the others have said, it's technically illegal but it's very unlikely you'll get caught while in the Isaan countryside (in udon/Nong Khai or nest a big city it might be different though).

As anyone who would try and stitch you up, would only be looking for a bribe because you're farang. However with a couple of the exceptions above most isaan police are reasonably honest (in my experience anyway)

Out side of the cities, Issan cops are locals and everyone is family, they live in the villages do there job, but step over the line and they are out. Remember the cops come under the district Governor and he can have them transferred to the deep south.

I have never paid a penny to the police, all I have ever seen is smiling faces, that are happy to help. Even to the point where a new Police major came round to introduce himself, there are only a few farangs out here and they work farms and partake in the local life. Some like me have kids that attend the same schools as the cops etc, We may be illegal doing some things, but we are part of the bigger family. Jim

I do have to agree with you Jim. I found the cops in Isaan to be much easier going as the cops in Bangkok. I have never been stopped once in roadblock and the cops around our village are extremly polite. I do invite them once in a whle for a bottle of Johnny Walker in my village as it could get handy when needed.

[jamescollister]

As most of the others have said, it's technically illegal but it's very unlikely you'll get caught while in the Isaan countryside (in udon/Nong Khai or nest a big city it might be different though).

As anyone who would try and stitch you up, would only be looking for a bribe because you're farang. However with a couple of the exceptions above most isaan police are reasonably honest (in my experience anyway)

Out side of the cities, Issan cops are locals and everyone is family, they live in the villages do there job, but step over the line and they are out. Remember the cops come under the district Governor and he can have them transferred to the deep south.

I have never paid a penny to the police, all I have ever seen is smiling faces, that are happy to help. Even to the point where a new Police major came round to introduce himself, there are only a few farangs out here and they work farms and partake in the local life. Some like me have kids that attend the same schools as the cops etc, We may be illegal doing some things, but we are part of the bigger family. Jim

I do have to agree with you Jim. I found the cops in Isaan to be much easier going as the cops in Bangkok. I have never been stopped once in roadblock and the cops around our village are extremly polite. I do invite them once in a whle for a bottle of Johnny Walker in my village as it could get handy when needed.

That's being part of the village, you maybe a farang, but your their farang. Jim

[manxninja]

Nicely put Jim i like that made me laugh.