August 5, 201411 yr A close friend of mine has been offered a job as a bar promoter in Phuket by someone she knows from home in the UK. It's for a six month season starting in October. She is exceptionally excited, and a perfectly adept human being. I'm just trying to help gather information. Are there any promoters on this forum who could offer initial advice? My concerns are mainly whether or not this is a safe and legitimate offer, what her accommodation options are, and if this is the normal avenue bars take in order to staff their businesses with English speaking employees. Help appreciated! Thanks.
August 5, 201411 yr Will the job offer come with a real work permit ? Definitely not. We are talking about a street tout here. An illegal occupation for foreigners. There are several bars and nightclubs in Patong which pay the police protection money to illegally employ foreign touts. With the current climate (Military junta cracking down on corruption) I do not think these guys have much future.
August 5, 201411 yr Best she stays clear... Ibiza is a safe bet, for jobs like that, and it's closer to home..
August 5, 201411 yr Sounds like a nightclub tout for the young tourists, particularly backpackers. She will be sweet talking them into a certain nightclub on Bangla Road with the allure of cheap alcohol. There is no work permit for her and she will be told, "Don't worry - we pay off the police, you will be ok." In the past, that was true. I have seen them working with impunity, similar to the time share touts, but with the Army now standing over police, to make sure they do their job, this employment becomes more risky. To my knowledge, accommodation is not supplied, although she will be advised on where to find value for money accommodation. It will be a Thai style square box with a fan, unless she uses her own money for something nicer. She will have to do visa runs, which will be difficult under the current crack down. Phuket is not like Ibiza for young Brits.
August 5, 201411 yr Author Thanks guys, I was worried about the legality. I'll make sure she gets more info about the specifics and will pass on your thoughts.
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