Checks begin on foreigners working in Phuket dive industry

[webfact]

Checks begin on foreigners working in Phuket dive industry
Anthika Muangrod

PHUKET: -- A senior official in the Foreign Labour section of the Phuket Employment Office has confirmed that officers will tomorrow (April 3) begin checking work permits of all those foreigners working in the dive industry in Phuket.

The order to make the checks comes direct from Governor Maitri Inthusut, in the wake of the furore over Chalong police officers allegedly targeting the dive industry and extorting money in return for dropping criminal cases over purported irregularities in work permits.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “Tomorrow, we will begin checking the 190 diving instructors and staff in 114 diving companies in Phuket to see if they have work permits or not.”

The checks will continue one day a week until all the companies have been visited, he said.

He added, “I believe that all the work permits issued are correct because there [applicants must provide] many documents to us before we issue a work permit.

“So, tomorrow there will be a check on work permit. We will also offer advice to [dive company foreign staff] on [any limits to what they may or may not do].

“According to the work permit, dive instructors may only teach their customers how to dive correctly; they can’t work as [underwater] tour guide. I’m going to remind them again about this.”

A spokesperson for the Association of Thai Underwater Sports (ATUS) – also speaking on condition of anonymity – said that ATUS is in favour of the checks. “This will help to clarify everything. Then we will know what the facts are.”

This afternoon ATUS representatives are due to meet with Governor Maitri Inthusut.

They will hand him a letter complaining about the alleged extortion by police officers, and asking for his help in ensuring that job descriptions in work permits are clear and allow foreign employees to carry out all their duties.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/checks-begin-on-foreigners-working-in-phuket-dive-industry-45486.php


-- Phuket News 2014-04-02

[PiPiFFS]

Just what do they mean about not working as " Underwater tour guides " ? Are they saying that Instructors or Divemasters are no longer allowed to take certified divers around the dive sites ? There needs to be review of the working laws in Thailand so everyone knows just what they can and cannot do to avoid situations like this.

Edited April 2, 2014 by PiPiFFS

[Thai at Heart]

How about they work as an underwater safety officer?

Underwater tour guide. <deleted>.

Please someone save this country from itself. Only Thais as allowed to guide you around the oceans of Thailand because that is a your guides job?

Edited April 2, 2014 by Thai at Heart

[NomadJoe]

Just what do they mean about not working as " Underwater tour guides " ? Are they saying that Instructors or Divemasters are no longer allowed to take certified divers around the dive sites ?...

It seems that is what they are saying.

[HeavyDrinker]

So basically the extortion racket is changing offices?

[canopus1969]

Just what do they mean about not working as " Underwater tour guides " ? Are they saying that Instructors or Divemasters are no longer allowed to take certified divers around the dive sites ?...

It seems that is what they are saying.

Quite correct and no problem with that - the important thing is that (foreign) certified instructors can continue teaching

[stevenl]

Just what do they mean about not working as " Underwater tour guides " ? Are they saying that Instructors or Divemasters are no longer allowed to take certified divers around the dive sites ?...

It seems that is what they are saying.

That is considered tourguiding, which has never been allowed. That is also why only instructors, not divemasters, can obtain a workpermit.

I don't mind this check at all, although this has happened multiple times this season, but would be even happier if they were to check for people working without workpermits.

[NamKangMan]

Just what do they mean about not working as " Underwater tour guides " ? Are they saying that Instructors or Divemasters are no longer allowed to take certified divers around the dive sites ?...

It seems that is what they are saying.

That would mean if they raid a boat and find certified divers onboard, the divemaster and/or instructor must be working illegally as he/she is either "transporting" them or "guiding" them, both occupations reserved for Thai's.

Edited April 2, 2014 by NamKangMan

[stevenl]

Just what do they mean about not working as " Underwater tour guides " ? Are they saying that Instructors or Divemasters are no longer allowed to take certified divers around the dive sites ?...

It seems that is what they are saying.

That would mean if they raid a boat and find certified divers onboard, the divemaster and/or instructor must be working illegally as he/she is either "transporting" them or "guiding" them, both occupations reserved for Thai's.

If the DC and instructor are smart they'll never know how certified the divers are. After all there are many forms of continuing education.

The problem though is that certain DC's are 'employing' non-instructors, and it would be good if they were to check that out.

[HiSoLowSoNoSo]

That foreigners still invest in Thailand is a mystery to me! You can't own your own business 100% and if you work outside you office or province you are violating your work permit rules . Bullshit rules.

[lee b]

Now they have given an advance warning, i wonder if many people will be calling in sick tomorrow? haha

[daoyai]

No way can the dive industry function under the rules as written as to foreign and local workforce. The skillset is quite specific.

[steelepulse]

How many qualifed Thai underwater tour guides are there? I can't imagine that these Thai's not only are instructors or at least divemasters, but have the requisite tour guide licence that is issued by the TAT.

[Thai at Heart]

How many qualifed Thai underwater tour guides are there? I can't imagine that these Thai's not only are instructors or at least divemasters, but have the requisite tour guide licence that is issued by the TAT.

This situation hilights so.much that is wrong with Thailand.

The desperation to create a protected business extends to limiting the safety of the customers. The fault is aimed 100% at the farang and the possibility of any problems with licensing on the Thai side are zero.

Question. Are any foreign diving teams used in industry in Thailand?

[HooHaa]

so everything is a refresher course.

The irony of the matter is that nobody is qualified go along with the divers to determine what they are or arent doing.

perhaps a boycott by divers is required. Once the ancillary staff such as boat crews captains and resort owners note a drop in business due to a lack of divers, perhaps a more realistic approach will be taken.

And with a 114 companies being checked one day a week, it could take up to 2 years before they get through them all, half that if they make it to 2 companies per week.

this is more lip service, sound and fury.

[falkan]

That foreigners still invest in Thailand is a mystery to me! You can't own your own business 100% and if you work outside you office or province you are violating your work permit rules . Bullshit rules.

boi investment 100%, but yes not for cheap charlie's..

[FiestyFarang]

The checks will continue one day a week until all the companies have been visited, he said - at one company a week it will take 2 years, or at two companies a week in one day it will take a year?

[stevenl]

The checks will continue one day a week until all the companies have been visited, he said - at one company a week it will take 2 years, or at two companies a week in one day it will take a year?

Why do you think they'll only visit one or even two companies a day?

They have been doing these checks for months now, and can easily check 10+ per day.

[HiSoLowSoNoSo]

That foreigners still invest in Thailand is a mystery to me! You can't own your own business 100% and if you work outside you office or province you are violating your work permit rules . Bullshit rules.

boi investment 100%, but yes not for cheap charlie's..

A small diving business cannot afford a BOI. It’s mostly for big export orientated companies.

[Lupatria]

I did not expect something else. The procedure here is: we got caught red handed for extortion, lets get rid of those who dared to make it public.

[stevenl]

I did not expect something else. The procedure here is: we got caught red handed for extortion, lets get rid of those who dared to make it public.

No, the backlash is still to come, this is just a bit of show.

But no doubt there will be a backlash.

[djvolak]

Some in the Dive Business in Phuket caused Thais to lose face. WHAT DID ANY OF YOU EXPECT WOULD THEN HAPPEN? Transfer the head cop in that section and go after the complaining party. Justice Thai style. Got some complaints? Go to our complaint department and talk to the lady there. Her name is Helen Wait. Go to Helen Wait. Yeah she'll fix it for ya.

[laurentbkk]

thank you so much for letting us know ...now those divers can have a quick trip outside the country or stay home until Friday .... ))))

[stevenl]

thank you so much for letting us know ...now those divers can have a quick trip outside the country or stay home until Friday .... ))))

So after reading the article you concluded that the checks will take place this Thursday?

[renaissanc]

So, it sounds like the foreign instructors can teach the customers how to dive. Then a Thai drives them out to the diving site. Then the customers dive into the sea and hope to find the coral. If they get into problems, bad luck.

[sirchai]

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, Tomorrow, we will begin checking the 190 diving instructors and staff in 114 diving companies in Phuket to see if they have work permits or not.

According to the work permit, dive instructors may only teach their customers how to dive correctly; they cant work as [underwater] tour guide. Im going to remind them again about this.

<non English text removed>

Edited April 2, 2014 by LivinginKata

[sirchai]

Just what do they mean about not working as " Underwater tour guides " ? Are they saying that Instructors or Divemasters are no longer allowed to take certified divers around the dive sites ?...

It seems that is what they are saying.

Hey Joe where do you go with the snorkel n' your hand tomorrow? I said Hey Joe, where do you go....

[belg]

ah those pesky foreigners again stealng jobs from the poor thai...

will they check or ask for the possible scams by policemen and asking big bribed and monthly contributions?

i guess ... NOT

Edited April 2, 2014 by belg

[bangkokheat]

thais cant be trusted driving buses, driving boats, to work for you or anything else that requires responsibility, and they are entrusted to be a underwater tour guide??? lets wait for the diving accidents

[PaulHamon]

Just what do they mean about not working as " Underwater tour guides " ? Are they saying that Instructors or Divemasters are no longer allowed to take certified divers around the dive sites ? There needs to be review of the working laws in Thailand so everyone knows just what they can and cannot do to avoid situations like this.

i guess they'd need a tour guide license for that.

and that's only open to Thai's