Phuket Immigration cracks down on yachting, marine industry

[webfact]

Phuket Immigration cracks down on yachting, marine industry
Phuket Gazette


One of the boats being constructed. Photo: Supplied

PHUKET: -- Phuket Immigration chief Sunchai Chokkajaykij today confirmed that his office has launched a crackdown on foreigners working illegally in Phuket’s yachting and marine industry.

The news follows the arrests of a German man and a Swiss man who were caught building their own boats on their own properties in Chalong late yesterday afternoon.

“We have been targeting foreigners working illegally for some time, and right now we are focusing on the yachting and marine industry,” Col Sunchai said.

“I cannot reveal where we will raid next, as we don’t want to give any warning to those who are breaking the law,” he added.

However, Col Sunchai gave a general warning to all foreigners involved in any form of marine transport: “We will check everywhere there are boats – the ports, the piers – everywhere,” he said.

 

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket_news/2013/Phuket-Immigration-cracks-down-on-yachting-marine-industry-22294.html

 

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[beenhere2long]

surely building a boat for yourself on your own property is a hobby not work......if i do my own gardening am i working?

[Tatsujin]

The news follows the arrests of a German man and a Swiss man who were caught building their own boats on their own properties in Chalong late yesterday afternoon.

 

Illegal to have a HOBBY HERE NOW???? Building THEIR OWN boats on THEIR OWN property????

[laurentbkk]

Wrong move ...... one more time ....its very difficult to find a Thai specialized in Marine construction. There are a few but if you have something urgent to do , you need to wait a very long time. if the police were working on corruption with the same energy they use to crack down illegal workers , the country could be "clean" 

[Redhawk]

What a bad joke, building a boat or yacht on your own properties leads to an arrest! Are the only criminals in Thailand to catch now, foreigners? No other serious crimes here anymor? I think they are going to make a lot of friends when proceeding like this. 

[cornishcarlos]

The list of completely stupid decisions by the powers in charge never ceases to amaze me !!!

I really hope the respective embassies are doing everything possible to help these 2 guys out.

Should they have used said boats to earn money without the required permits etc, fair play on the arrest but that boat looks a long way from earning it's owner a living...

[CiaranO]

This is absolutely a joke. Needing a work permit to have a hobby now. Im gonna cook the missus dinner tonight - will i be arrested for doing this????? because this is the ridiculousness of what they have done and are suggesting. Small minded people 

[KhunMoo]

"a crackdown on foreigners working illegally"

"arrests of a German man and a Swiss man who were caught building their own boats on their own properties" 

....

[IrishIvan]

They will have a field day down in Chalong bay

[LivinginKata]

Over the years I seem to remember discussions on this forum about whether we are allowed to tend our garden, decorate our homes, repair our vehicles, and the like. It was always considered a little far fetched that Immigration would step in .... mmmm maybe not so far fetched now 

[al007]

Madness, I arrive on my own yacht, which in the past i have done, according to this if I am washing down my decks am I liable to prosecution for working, or I am repairing the radar same again

[IrishIvan]

I am sure there are some snitches around that are directing the police to certain people for their own advantage. I have never heard of so many people being pinched. I bet there is a lot of nervous farangs in Phuket at the moment

[mikebike]

Has no one actually bothered to read and understand the labour laws here. As LiK has alluded - yes most of our hobbies are considered work. Gardening, car repair/modify, yacht building... Not that I agree with it but these guys got popped for an antiquated but valid law. We all suppose that no one is gonna bother with our little bits of 'work', BUT there is always the chance!

 

I know of many farrang who build their own boats/ultralights/hoovercraft etc... in their own yards (or buy and sell cars/bikes) and surprisingly about a week or two after their 'project' is done they sell it. Don't bitch if you are trying to avoid the work permit and legal Thai company...

[anthobkk]

Wow biggest joke ever!

I like spending time to fix and upgrade my motorbike. Should i also worry about that? I better ask a work permit.

This is ridiculous. How can someone building his own boat can threaten the job market in Thailand?

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[MacWalen]

That is indeed very strange. I am surprised that they would go so far as not to let do any hobby like work on your own property. What about fixing my car or motorbike? I guess not allowed also.

[zappalot]

Thats really ridiculous. 

 

If something you do for yourself on your own ground is declared illegal then really everything can be interpreted as working illegal, even going shopping. 

[johnlandy]

surely building a boat for yourself on your own property is a hobby not work......if i do my own gardening am i working?

 

 

Gardening you could be OK, but building a yacht you would come unstuck there.

[stevenl]

I would not be surprised at all if in the end it becomes known that both have done this before and have sold their yachts after completion.

[IrishIvan]

What about the beach clean up this weekend?

[stevenl]

What about the beach clean up this weekend?

Nothing to do with this, but: volunteer work, and workpermit required.

 

[Briggsy]

Yet still the mugs flock to Phuket to be fleeced.

[Shot]

The Mrs. is gonna be pissed when I tell her she has to mow the lawn from now on, and fetch my beer.

[Jasun]

Perhaps if they're cracking down on the marine industry, they can start with the Jetskis.

[IrishIvan]

What about the beach clean up this weekend?

Nothing to do with this, but: volunteer work, and workpermit required.
 

Really?? You have to get a work permit to pick up rubbish??? That is insane

[IrishIvan]

The Mrs. is gonna be pissed when I tell her she has to mow the lawn from now on, and fetch my beer.

I just told my missus that I cant open my own beer now. She is really angry. I told her its Thai law and there is nothing I can do about it... life just keeps getting better :D

[OldSalty]

I have to agree with stevenl, maybe they have done it before and than sold the boat for a good profit, so maybe it is just a typical thai or farang way to get rid of a competitor.

[jaapfries]

Thats really ridiculous. 

 

If something you do for yourself on your own ground is declared illegal then really everything can be interpreted as working illegal, even going shopping. 

 

"even going shopping" - well; let me enlighten you: YES; even going shopping ! ! !

 

About 2 years ago, when I was on a project in Hua Hin, it so happened that a chap (with a W/P !) went to the local Hafele store to purchase some hardware for the building he was working on; the Immigration Police walked in and asked him what he was doing . . . . He calmly answered that he was purchasing hardware for the job-site, for which he had a W/P. He was instantly arrested, because they "reasoned" that his work-permit only allowed him to 'work' on the address of the building site and nowhere else ! ! ! ! 

 

With regards to these 2 constructing boats in their respective back-yards: it is entirely possible that they are building these yachts, under contract to some customer, in which case they ARE working illegally.

 

I am certain that if you were building a boat for yourself in your back-yard that nobody would touch you.

 

TIT

 

[bangkokheat]

i dont understand what all you guys are upset about, after all everyone in the world wants to live here because its perfect in every way, so immigration can do as they please because many more will come

[OnTheRun]

I made myself beans on toast this morning, should I turn myself in?

[frimu]

surely building a boat for yourself on your own property is a hobby not work......if i do my own gardening am i working?

 

If they want they can also get you on this! Really scary these developments.