Officials To Inspect Business Licenses Of All Foreigner Owned Tourism Businesses In Phuket

[NamKangMan]

Seems we go through this every year.

I would say at least 3 times a year...

In Phuket's case - it's just an ongoing saga. A bit like a soap opera.

Edited February 1, 2013 by NamKangMan

[hansgruber]

Russian businesses is just the flavor of the month.

Next will be Korean tour guides again and then back to the diving instructors and companies.

Its just their turn to get screwed over.

[madmitch]

farang owned tour businesses eh?

next it will be farang owned restaurants... farang owned bars... farang owned guesthouses...

I read this as including all businesses involved in the tourism industry which would include restaurants, bars, hotels and guesthouses but now I am not so sure.

Also the comment regarding the identification of problems caused to local operators, i.e. the tuktuk and taxi drivers. Forget the fact that by law foreign owned businesses must employ a certain number of Thai people.

[kingstonkid]

Let's face it to a certain extent this is no different than people in western cities now when immigrant businesses start up. People complain and will always complain. We live in a world where nothing is anyones fault. It is someone else.

He told me I was ugly so i shot him.

I came here with no money and had to do something so I was forced to sell drugs.

It was the girls fault for lyng to me about her age.

It was the girl's fault i got VD.

It was ....

Or my life in the other country sucked so I left it

Let's face it until everyone Thai, European, US put your big boy and big girl pants on and take responsibility nothing is going to get changed.

[chrisinth]

This is not so much about business licences as it is about work permits. In this case, work permits issued for a job Thai nationals (to the greater part) cannot do, and that is to liase with foreigners in there own tongue.

In this case it is about Russians, but the same could be said for all visitors who do not speak either Thai or English. Surely it is time for the Labour office to recognise the need for these tour companies and guides to present a more friendly stay for the tourist with more positive stories returning to the tourist's country of origin.

And on the cause of the grievance from the locals towards the tour companies? Why can the governor, now that the subject is once again in the open, use his authority and impose a set taxi fare across the board for all companies to follow, with a proper complaint system in place for people who think they have been wronged?

Yes, I know it is wishful thinking, but unless something is done/tried then it will remain the same with the "mafia/mafias" controlling the situation. It just needs someone to grow a pair and get on with it!...............

[richard10365]

I think Phuket should get use to foreigners. The AEC is coming and there are almost 500 million additional ASEAN foreigners they will have to compete for jobs and competition with.Good luck to them. I hope they are ready.

[inthefareast]

I don't even go to Phuket anymore the hassle of the tuk-tuk's and the crazy prices they charge foreigners is unreal. These Thai tourist companies are just pissed because these Russian companies are under cutting their prices. Competition is a good think for the consumer not for the Thai business owners.

It's ok let the Thai's upset the Russians they will just start going to another island resort not in Thailand and then all those stupid taxi driver and tuk-tuk guys will have no one to rip off.

[gabruce]

Time for us "Farlangs" so say goodbye to Thailand and head for greener pastures.

Huh? Exactly why do I need leave TH?

Pease provide us with a list of your top five spots you are suggesting. Please bear in mind:

1. How delightful are the local people?

2. How reasonable is the place to live?

3. How food is the local cuisine?

4. What about the local women? Are they attractive? Open to relationships with foreigners?

It is fine to say you want to leave, but where to?

As for your last reason (women). All than well if you are a sex tourist or prefer the seedier side of Thailand but any decent Thai women wouldn't want want a bar of a farang guy.

Well I and my wife disagree completely with you. She is definitely a decent Thai woman. Another farang friend is getting married to a decent Thai woman as well. Hard working, eloquent. Just made the mistake of meeting a good farang!

[lujanit]

My bet would be that when enough money is paid into the right pockets when these legit businesses come up for renewal of their licenses they will be refused. The simple truth is that money talks and Thai's can't stand legitimate competition.

[julemanden]

“Phuket Vice Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada”

　

Phuket has a Governor for Vice?

Wonder how much he had to pay for that position ?

I bet that job is not open to aliens

Most likely a lot!!

[monkeycountry]

Why not ask the tourists who they think causes more trouble, the tour operators or the taxi/tuktuk mafia? Oh that's right, they already did that, but they did not like the answer :-D

[quandow]

Time for us "Farlangs" so say goodbye to Thailand and head for greener pastures.

and that is where?

Central and South America is starting to look REAL good. Costa Rica, Ecuador and Belize are three I'm personally looking at very closely. I may just be getting a "seven year itch" having lived in Thailand that long now, but I'm seriously planning on trying Ecuador for a while, and I've lived in Belize and vacationed in Costa Rica. Each has its own brand of bullsh*t, and I'm just growing weary of Thai bullsh*t.

[julemanden]

Attention to all interested in options and specifically to; spidermike007 & BTM & Skorz re their queries raised as copied below.

Time for us "Falangs" so say goodbye to Thailand and head for greener pastures.

and that is where?

Good luck with finding another country where you can get a decent ride, fresh curry and a beer for under 20 quid.

Please provide us with a list of your top five spots you are suggesting. Please bear in mind:

1. How delightful are the local people?

2. How reasonable is the place to live?

3. How food is the local cuisine?

4. What about the local women? Are they attractive? Open to relationships with foreigners?

It is fine to say you want to leave, but where to?

As I said earlier, Good luck with finding another country where you can get a decent ride, fresh curry and a beer for under 20 quid.

I have left Thailand after years there, so tired of the constant sticky little fingers in your pocket, and the list of wrongs perpetrated daily against Falangs is never ending, the lost deposits on rental properties & hire cars, bikes etc.

Let alone the violence, the pain re Visa`s and reporting, the need to have any property in a locals name by 51% to facilitate easy transfer of assets etc etc. The issues with banks and credit cards, the list is endless.

So in response to your request to identify a better location; I have relocated to Cambodia for 6 months now, some insights as to why I prefer it here;

No Visa issues, pay for a 6 or 12 month Visa endlessly extendible at any travel agent or hotel or rental condo.

You can be in business legally, you can buy property - with caveats, but easily do-able, the people in large are more friendly than in the major hubs of corrupt sleaze as Phuket & Pattaya, and now that disease has taken hold in the tourist areas of Chiang Mai also strongly.

It seems many Farang are able to convince them selves all is well in Thailand, as long as it is not them personally involved in a newsworthy spot of trouble, how short sighted, I decided not to stay & continue to give money to those who make no attempt to even appear as if they like or respect you for any reason other than your money - get some self respect and look elsewhere, or when your time comes to be in the cross hairs - dont complain.

Do not mistake this as all is bad in Thailand, I did have very warm contact with Thai people in a more local environment, it is the so called Hi So and tourism operators who soon see the advantage to be had by blatantly robbing tourists & falang residents there is no stopping them, and we have no rights unless you either can afford to or wish to be the highest bidder on the outcome of your life`s issue at stake to the BIB.

The sale of rose coloured glasses has been very successful in Thailand, why do so many like to live as an Ostrich, very sandy down there !

So apart from here in Cambodia, which is also rated as the 11 th fastest growing economy, or thereabouts - creating many opportunities then there is also parts of the Philippines, Laos and Vietnam as mentioned in another post.

The Farang food is way better here if you like that, see here - http://www.khmer440....dy-bars/ - so in relation to the 20 quid query, a first class Tournedos with wine x 2 at $1 per glass, albeit small, transport to & from all for about $12.00 & real American BBQ places, NZ Venison, the best Sous Vide cooked burgers at $5 etc etc

You can get real French style Baguettes - not sugar bread, a small thing - but a very pleasant change, the Tuk Tuks are Farang sized & cost way less than in Thailand, they have Casinos if interested etc etc

The chance of me going back to live in Thailand is about the same as fair trade to take wings in Phuket !

All sounds good there... Let's go

[animatic]

Such bull poop.

Vice Governor Chamroen joined PPEO Chief Yawapa Pibulpol in verifying the business license of the Marusya Travel office (website here) at Bang Tao, which was found to be fully compliant with the law.

“I visited Bang Tao today to see the problem with my own eyes. There are two issues that we still have to deal with…

“First, we have to check if foreign operators [sic] in the area have the correct business licenses and work permits. Second, we have to find out if the foreign-owned businesses are still causing trouble for the local business operators,” Vice Governor Chamroen said.

Nothing but a witch hunt,

because the taxi mafia is threatening to cause trouble if their monopoly is threatened.

It of course is threatened by their actions and inability to act fairly,

and give the customers value for their money.

Of course the taxi mafia sends tea money back up the chain,

so it's not just the corrupt drivers losing revenue.

They drivers and bosses have priced themselves out of the market,

and their violent tendencies when not getting their way has cause most tour

operators to find alternatives to using them because their customers demand it.

Edited February 1, 2013 by animatic

[Sayonarax]

The only thing stealing your business, is your attitude towards the people visiting the island. Your the scumbags who should have microscope shoved up your aft door.

Edited February 1, 2013 by Sayonarax

[webfact]

UPDATE

Crackdown begins on illegal foreigners in Phuket

Tanyaluk Sakoot

Maj Gen Choti Chavalviwat, Commander of Phuket Provincial Police.

PHUKET: -- Twelve foreigners, including people from Australia, Finland, Indonesia, Myammar, and the UK, were arrested yesterday (January 31) for working illegally in the island’s tourism industry, police said.

Their arrests came as Maj Gen Choti Chavalviwat, Commander of Phuket Provincial Police, announced an investigation into tour agencies, massage parlous and restaurants, as well as other businesses which are foreign owned or employ many foreign staff. This was prompted by a protest on Monday in Bang Tao by Thai businesspeople, who said illegal foreign businesses were undercutting the market.

The Department of Labour, in conjunction with Phuket Immigration and the Phuket Police, started checking companies yesterday (January 31) based on random checks or tip-offs from the public.

The main focus will be on businesses that are foreign owned or operated, but Thai businesses that employ large numbers of foreigners will also be checked.

Beginning the crackdown, 12 foreigners were arrested yesterday for either not having a work permit, or doing a different job to what their work permit states.

Many were working in the tour industry as tour guides, taxi drivers or masseurs, police said. Their cases have been referred to the Phuket Provincial Court.

“I understand that foreigners want to work in Phuket, but they have to work correctly,” Maj Gen Choti told The Phuket News.

Mr Choti said the officials were also checking Thai shareholders in foreign-run companies. Thai people listed as shareholders might need to show they genuinely had enough money to have been able to have invested in the company.

“The Bang Tao mob were very angry, and it is their right to be angry,” Maj Gen Choti said.

“Russians coming to travel is fine, but if they take Thai people’s careers and livelihoods by working illegally, that is not fair to the Thai people.

“Foreigners who live and work here have to show us their work permit if we do a check. If they have the correct permit, it is not a problem.”

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/crackdown-begins-on-illegal-foreigners-in-phuket-36754.php

-- The Phuket News 2013-02-01

[newermonkey]

The geser in the photo looks like a nice easy going guy... NOT

[animatic]

One thing they don't grasp is that farang owned business, do not send the money out of Thailand, and usually bring money in, even if some of it is generated here. Regardless it is almost 100 % SPENT in Thailand.

The whinging comes from those who can't deliver,

but demand 'their share' for the shoddy product

they do try and foist on the unsuspecting.

If they had what people wanted, at a competitive price,

they would get the business without underhanded tactics.

Edited February 1, 2013 by animatic

[Pinot]

If you work in Thailand, you can't take a Thai's job and you need a work permit. That rule should be enforced. All the rest of this bitter talk is irrelevant.

Let's see the work permits. No work permit, goodbye.

[hansgruber]

Its about time they catch the guys with no work permit.

So many in Phuket, especially the time share scum.

[Songhua]

The 'Bang Tao Mob'. The official name given to them by the Phuket Provincial Police Commander.

[pagallim]

Not without a degree of irony that of the nationalities quoted as being arrested, not a single Russian so far.

[TackyToo]

Any problems caused by foreigner-run tour agencies are to be reported

directly to Phuket Vice Governor Chamroen.

Welcome to ASEAN! If the same applies to problems with Thai owned business' he will need to hire a lot of staff.

[Thai at Heart]

One thing they don't grasp is that farang owned business, do not send the money out of Thailand, and usually bring money in, even if some of it is generated here. Regardless it is almost 100 % SPENT in Thailand.

The whinging comes from those who can't deliver,

but demand 'their share' for the shoddy product

they do try and foist on the unsuspecting.

If they had what people wanted, at a competitive price,

they would get the business without underhanded tactics.

The problem is how tightly or relaxed any definition of work is in Thailand. Basically, anything can be turned around and be claimed to not be related to work. Technically, doing anything outside your precise work address can break your work permit regulations. And as for volunteer work being classed as illegal, this in and of itself absolutely shoots the country in its own foot when there are probably many hundreds of qualified retired teachers who could teach junior school English, and would be happy to do so, but are not attracted to do so.

Does me, travelling by taxi taking some friends on a site seeing tour of Bangkok constitute being a tour guide. Technically, it probably does.

[Kananga]

One thing they don't grasp is that farang owned business, do not send the money out of Thailand, and usually bring money in, even if some of it is generated here. Regardless it is almost 100 % SPENT in Thailand.

The whinging comes from those who can't deliver,

but demand 'their share' for the shoddy product

they do try and foist on the unsuspecting.

If they had what people wanted, at a competitive price,

they would get the business without underhanded tactics.

The problem is how tightly or relaxed any definition of work is in Thailand. Basically, anything can be turned around and be claimed to not be related to work. Technically, doing anything outside your precise work address can break your work permit regulations. And as for volunteer work being classed as illegal, this in and of itself absolutely shoots the country in its own foot when there are probably many hundreds of qualified retired teachers who could teach junior school English, and would be happy to do so, but are not attracted to do so.

Does me, travelling by taxi taking some friends on a site seeing tour of Bangkok constitute being a tour guide. Technically, it probably does.

Are they going to pay you? If not, technically you are a volunteer.

[tezzainthailand]

I don't know about all this Thai bashing. It sounds like all the scams and ripoffs is purely a Phuket phenomenon. In all of my 14 or 15 trips (over 17 years) to Thailand (Phuket once) I have been ripped off maybe half a dozen times by cabbies or at restaurants compared to the hundreds of times I have had great service. Stay away from Phuket and the country is still pretty good. Come to Australia and get ripped off.. legally!, by the banks, Telstra, high rents and little or no return of deposits and if you have a dark skin, experience that legendary Aussie <deleted> are you doing here!

[TS79]

UPDATE

Crackdown begins on illegal foreigners in Phuket

Tanyaluk Sakoot

Maj Gen Choti Chavalviwat, Commander of Phuket Provincial Police.

“The Bang Tao mob were very angry, and it is their right to be angry,” Maj Gen Choti said.

How can the Bang Tao mob have the right to be angry? They vandalised and imtimidated a legitimate business which was above board with correct paperwork. The Bang Tao mob should be prosecuted for vandalism.

[Thai at Heart]

One thing they don't grasp is that farang owned business, do not send the money out of Thailand, and usually bring money in, even if some of it is generated here. Regardless it is almost 100 % SPENT in Thailand.

The whinging comes from those who can't deliver,

but demand 'their share' for the shoddy product

they do try and foist on the unsuspecting.

If they had what people wanted, at a competitive price,

they would get the business without underhanded tactics.

The problem is how tightly or relaxed any definition of work is in Thailand. Basically, anything can be turned around and be claimed to not be related to work. Technically, doing anything outside your precise work address can break your work permit regulations. And as for volunteer work being classed as illegal, this in and of itself absolutely shoots the country in its own foot when there are probably many hundreds of qualified retired teachers who could teach junior school English, and would be happy to do so, but are not attracted to do so.

Does me, travelling by taxi taking some friends on a site seeing tour of Bangkok constitute being a tour guide. Technically, it probably does.

Are they going to pay you? If not, technically you are a volunteer.

But you can't legally volunteer for work in Thailand either.

[laobali]

I'm confused as I would have thought a taxi service is primarily to pick up a few passengers and drop them off somewhere else, while a tour service is for a group of people wanting to go to see places of interest, then returned to the same departure point.

Surely taxis and tour operators have different licences and regulations to comply with. Is this service overlap only in Phuket?

Edited February 1, 2013 by laobali

[Kananga]

One thing they don't grasp is that farang owned business, do not send the money out of Thailand, and usually bring money in, even if some of it is generated here. Regardless it is almost 100 % SPENT in Thailand.

The whinging comes from those who can't deliver,

but demand 'their share' for the shoddy product

they do try and foist on the unsuspecting.

If they had what people wanted, at a competitive price,

they would get the business without underhanded tactics.

The problem is how tightly or relaxed any definition of work is in Thailand. Basically, anything can be turned around and be claimed to not be related to work. Technically, doing anything outside your precise work address can break your work permit regulations. And as for volunteer work being classed as illegal, this in and of itself absolutely shoots the country in its own foot when there are probably many hundreds of qualified retired teachers who could teach junior school English, and would be happy to do so, but are not attracted to do so.

Does me, travelling by taxi taking some friends on a site seeing tour of Bangkok constitute being a tour guide. Technically, it probably does.

Are they going to pay you? If not, technically you are a volunteer.

But you can't legally volunteer for work in Thailand either.

I know.