FROM November 1, work permits and ID cards are to be more closely scrutinised to reduce the ''economic crime'' of the jobs of Thais being taken by outsiders illegally.
Governor Wichai Praisa-nob chaired a meeting of key officials yesterday in a search for a solution to Phuket's ''expat and alien'' worker issues.
A centre has been set up at Provincial Hall in Phuket City to co-ordinate the approach.
Among the groups represented at yesterday's meeting were the Army's Internal Security Operations Command, local police, the mayor of Kathu, the Labor Office, Immigration, the Navy, and Thachachai checkpoint.
''I find it strange that there are so many illegal workers on the island when virtually everyone arrives by air or through the Thachatchai checkpoint,'' the governor said.
Officially, he said, there were 63,041 non-Thais who had permission to work on Phuket.
Another 38,710 Burmese boosted the number this year by registering under a scheme to provide more unskilled labor on Phuket.
''People have had their chance to register,'' the governor said. ''Before October 30, everybody should have their ID cards.''
The governor made the point that expat workers of all kinds will be subject to the review, along with businesses with expat staff or investors.
''If most people who come to work on Phuket cross the bridge and pass through the Thachatchai checkpoint, then it is up to officials there to check that people arriving on Phuket have the correct paperwork,'' he said.
Governor Wichai said the fishing industry was one exception, where workers spent a lot of time at sea. Officials would be asked to concentrate on people who worked on the island.
Non-Thai workers on Phuket have been advised to keep their paperwork available to show officials.
Phuket Art Gallery Expats in Work Permit ArrestsGovernor Wichai Praisa-nob chaired a meeting of key officials yesterday in a search for a solution to Phuket's ''expat and alien'' worker issues.
A centre has been set up at Provincial Hall in Phuket City to co-ordinate the approach.
Among the groups represented at yesterday's meeting were the Army's Internal Security Operations Command, local police, the mayor of Kathu, the Labor Office, Immigration, the Navy, and Thachachai checkpoint.
''I find it strange that there are so many illegal workers on the island when virtually everyone arrives by air or through the Thachatchai checkpoint,'' the governor said.
Officially, he said, there were 63,041 non-Thais who had permission to work on Phuket.
Another 38,710 Burmese boosted the number this year by registering under a scheme to provide more unskilled labor on Phuket.
''People have had their chance to register,'' the governor said. ''Before October 30, everybody should have their ID cards.''
The governor made the point that expat workers of all kinds will be subject to the review, along with businesses with expat staff or investors.
''If most people who come to work on Phuket cross the bridge and pass through the Thachatchai checkpoint, then it is up to officials there to check that people arriving on Phuket have the correct paperwork,'' he said.
Governor Wichai said the fishing industry was one exception, where workers spent a lot of time at sea. Officials would be asked to concentrate on people who worked on the island.
Non-Thai workers on Phuket have been advised to keep their paperwork available to show officials.
Latest News Two expat Phuket art gallery employees were arrested in a police check for work permits and later fined for not having their permits with them.
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By beating the drum one month ahead of the crackdown, most of illegal western foreigners have been contacted their lawyers and accounting offices in order to fix with tea-money all hassles with local police and Immigration.
It will cost just a little more money than before. That'it.
As they are thousands of westerners working ilegally or running non properly registered Thai companies with proxy Thai nominees as shareholders, directors or have enough quota of Thai staff to get issued a wort-permit, we will see how many westerners will be caught in a few weeks.
It may be a big laugh at the end.
Posted by Whistle-Blower on October 28, 2009 14:57