Washing Dishes Illegally?

[Superoo]

Hi all,

My wife has recently opened a small fast food franchise.

It is, for the most part, a one person operation.

However, I do like to pop in and help with things such as cleaning.

I never work at the counter as a cashier.

I am on a tourist visa.

Am I asking for trouble by helping?

S.

[AyG]

In short, yes. You're working illegally.

[Costas2008]

Yes it is illegal.

Yes you need a work permit.

Be careful as a wife's competitor can easily have a talk about you with the immigration.

Sorry, but this is the state of sad affairs here in Thailand.

[brewsterbudgen]

In short, yes. You're working illegally.

Indeed. No one is likely to care, unless you piss someone off and they report you. This is quite possible if you have some competition nearby!

Not worth the risk, in my opinion.

[ubonjoe]

Off topic posts and and a reply to one has been removed.

[Superoo]

Sad indeed.

Just trying to help the wife out with some of the dirty work..

Oh well, time to hang up my rubber gloves I guess.

No heartbreak over that-ha ha!

Thanks for the responses!

S.

[stevo2]

How many Thai people actually have knowledge of immigration and labour issues?

I would think that most people would likely think that it is in fact quite nice that a husband is helping his wife.

A lot of it will depend on where you are. If you are in a quiet, non tourist area then probably nothing will happen.

Let's face it..... in the less touristy areas, if every expat that was running / working in a shop/bar/restaurant was told to stop by the authorities then there would be none left open.

[bbi1]

Sad indeed.

Just trying to help the wife out with some of the dirty work..

Oh well, time to hang up my rubber gloves I guess.

No heartbreak over that-ha ha!

Thanks for the responses!

S.

Don't do it unless you want to risk being reported, deported and/or locked up by immigration.

[kartman]

Buy a second set of dishes take them home and wash the sets alternatively there

[A1Str8]

Yes you are.

[Chivas]

Sad indeed.

Just trying to help the wife out with some of the dirty work..

Oh well, time to hang up my rubber gloves I guess.

No heartbreak over that-ha ha!

Thanks for the responses!

S.

Don't do it unless you want to risk being reported, deported and/or locked up by immigration.

Long winters nights must simply fly by in your joyous household.......!

To the OP just do the dishes when its closed away from prying eyes.......You were only cleaning the dishes you used whilst cooking your own food......weren't you !!

[96tehtarp]

Sure it's illegal.

A lot has to do with where you are in Chiang Mai. If you are way out in the bamboos of way-out Chiang Mai province or near the night market in the city, it may make a difference.

If your paperwork and work permit are not in order and you decide to take the risk make sure to have enough funds available to make the problem go away. It'd probably be cheaper to pay someone 300 baht per day to help your wife.

Funny isn't it that every Thai who marries a westerner and relocates in the west gets an automatic work permit together with their visa. Not so in Thailand, farang cannot work without many hoops to be jumped through and a million or more baht in the bank, married or not. Pity it's not reciprocal.