TWO expats have been arrested and fined for not having their work permits with them at an art gallery in a five-star shopping centre in Phuket's north.
The two men were questioned at the Turtle Village shopping centre in the prestigious resort zone of Mai Khao about their work status, then taken to the local police station.
''This is part of our regular checks on work permits,'' Lieutenant Colonel Watcharin Sujiratchikarnwiwat told Phuketwan on Friday.
The men were escorted to Tha Chat Chai police station about noon on Wednesday. Officers questioned the men in detail.
Both men said they were on staff at Kashmir Gallery, but had their work permits at their accommodation. Police accompanied the men to their home, where their work permits were produced.
The men were fined 5000 baht each for not having the work permits with them in their workplace.
People who cannot produce their passport and work permit on demand can be fined up to 10,000 baht. The law also applies to Thais, who have to produce their ID card if required.
The Kashmir Gallery at Turtle Village is described online as featuring ''unique art from Kashmir, oriental silk carpets, bed and table covers, wall hangings and embroideries.''
Lt Colonel Watcharin advised all people to carry their legal papers with them at all times, just in case.
On Thursday Phuket Governor Wichai Praisa-nob announced a crackdown from the end of October on non-Thais working illegally on Phuket. It was an ''economic crime'' for people to take the jobs of Thais, he told a meeting at Provincial Hall, adding that the crackdown would apply to all foreigners, not just Burmese, Laotians and Cambodians.
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CommentsAdd your comment using the form below. A quote from the article:- Posted by Sir Burr on Saturday October 17, 2009 at 09:33 I think this is fair, many expats work here illegally and they should be more strict on work permits. Posted by Don on Sunday October 18, 2009 at 09:56 Common sense ... Police ask for papers. If you don't have them with you then either A) Go and get them or B) Produce within 24 Hours. Of course this is Thailand and there's no money in common sense. Posted by noddy on Sunday October 18, 2009 at 16:50 In 3 years in Phuket I have been asked to produce my passport twice by police. Both times they were happy to accept a photocopy of the photo page and the page showing my current visa. Maybe I'll have to start carrying a copy of my work permit too.. Posted by stegee on Monday October 19, 2009 at 23:46 Artist working illegally? All the police have to do is visit Nai Harn and Rawai, and some upmarket hotels and restaurants that have exhibitions by the island's foreign artists, and clamp the cuffs on them. Posted by James Feaney on Tuesday October 20, 2009 at 16:52 Too many rich white women try to make a living here as 'artists' and they pay no tax, have no work permits and worst of all are not very good. Posted by Simone Leanna on Thursday October 22, 2009 at 16:00 I agree with noddy, common sense needs to be taken here.....give the expat 24 hours to produce the requested documents or go with them to collect them from their home.....a fine for not carrying a passport is crazy.....embassies in thailand would be swamped with issuing new passports that had been stolen by the local mafia.... Posted by scotty on Tuesday October 27, 2009 at 10:07 Simply appalling. I keep my work permit at home under lock and key as well as my passport. (Technically illegal but better than losing them) Posted by Andrew Drummond on Wednesday October 28, 2009 at 10:17 Seems like a scam to raise quick cash without thinking about the long-term repercussions such as chilling the investment climate. Not all expats are scruffy nobodies with no access to foreign capital and potential investment in Thailand. Posted by Gregory Pleshaw on Wednesday October 28, 2009 at 18:16 Latest Phuket News 'Hundreds Scammed' in Phuket Fraud: Reports Updating report Newspapers in Finland say police are investigating claims that up to 250 people have been defrauded in a scam involving a Phuket nightclub and date palms. 'Hundreds Scammed' in Phuket Fraud: Reports MediaWATCH: Phuket Not World's Top Island. Why? Phuket News Digest Bali wins Top Island, World's Friendliest City; THAI flies Phuket to Hong Kong; Airport maybe stripped of xray machines; quakes alarm; Phuket's warship economy; Accor on top. MediaWATCH: Phuket Not World's Top Island. Why? Governor Seeks Solution to Rawai Road Stayput Latest Update Efforts were being made today to finally resolve the traffic hazard where the four lane road between Chalong Circle and Rawai suddenly becomes three lanes. Governor Seeks Solution to Rawai Road Stayput Phuket Push to Crack Down on 'Working Tourists' Latest Tourists who come to Phuket then work will be among those being pursued under a crackdown from the end of the month, Phuket's Governor announces. Phuket Push to Crack Down on 'Working Tourists' Phuket's Amari Remake Comes with $44m Growth Latest After 25 years, Amari Coral Beach Phuket is being reshaped as part of the brand's 44 million dollar Asia Pacific expansion. Another 80 rooms are being added, too. Phuket's Amari Remake Comes with $44m Growth Four Fresh Tiger Flights Give Krabi an Air Lift Latest Krabi is set for takeoff this high season with four new flights coming its way from Singapore, which is a whole lot closer than Scandinavia. And that's a significant change. Four Fresh Tiger Flights Give Krabi an Air Lift Phuket's Jet-Skis: Insurance Deal Ends Crisis Photo Album The signing of a deal today means all Phuket jet skis will require insurance from now on, and the responsibility lies with the operators to end the allegations of scams. Phuket's Jet-Skis: Insurance Deal Ends Crisis Phuket Taj Drops Pier, Offers 50m Baht 'Forfeit' Photo Album The governor's new environmental approvals committee checks out the Taj Exotica and the Novotel Kamala sites, with Phuketwan for company. Phuket Taj Drops Pier, Offers 50m Baht 'Forfeit' New Phuket Police HQ Just Needs More Police Photo Album Phuket has a new police headquarters but remains short of police. Just 1160 officers maintain law and order on an island with one million inhabitants during the high season. New Phuket Police HQ Just Needs More Police |
Friday March 12, 2010
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Looks like they have discovered a nice little earner.. Fining people who even have their WP's for not having them on them !!
Sure way to promote direct foreign investment.
Posted by LivinLOS on Saturday October 17, 2009 at 09:18