webfact Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 Phuket Immigration cracks down on yachting, marine industry Phuket Gazette One of the boats being constructed. Photo: SuppliedPHUKET: -- Phuket Immigration chief Sunchai Chokkajaykij today confirmed that his office has launched a crackdown on foreigners working illegally in Phuket’s yachting and marine industry. The news follows the arrests of a German man and a Swiss man who were caught building their own boats on their own properties in Chalong late yesterday afternoon. “We have been targeting foreigners working illegally for some time, and right now we are focusing on the yachting and marine industry,” Col Sunchai said. “I cannot reveal where we will raid next, as we don’t want to give any warning to those who are breaking the law,” he added. However, Col Sunchai gave a general warning to all foreigners involved in any form of marine transport: “We will check everywhere there are boats – the ports, the piers – everywhere,” he said. Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket_news/2013/Phuket-Immigration-cracks-down-on-yachting-marine-industry-22294.html [pg]2013-09-20[/pg] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post beenhere2long Posted September 20, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted September 20, 2013 surely building a boat for yourself on your own property is a hobby not work......if i do my own gardening am i working? 30 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Tatsujin Posted September 20, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted September 20, 2013 The news follows the arrests of a German man and a Swiss man who were caught building their own boats on their own properties in Chalong late yesterday afternoon. Illegal to have a HOBBY HERE NOW???? Building THEIR OWN boats on THEIR OWN property???? 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post laurentbkk Posted September 20, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted September 20, 2013 Wrong move ...... one more time ....its very difficult to find a Thai specialized in Marine construction. There are a few but if you have something urgent to do , you need to wait a very long time. if the police were working on corruption with the same energy they use to crack down illegal workers , the country could be "clean" 18 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Redhawk Posted September 20, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted September 20, 2013 What a bad joke, building a boat or yacht on your own properties leads to an arrest! Are the only criminals in Thailand to catch now, foreigners? No other serious crimes here anymor? I think they are going to make a lot of friends when proceeding like this. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post cornishcarlos Posted September 20, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted September 20, 2013 The list of completely stupid decisions by the powers in charge never ceases to amaze me !!! I really hope the respective embassies are doing everything possible to help these 2 guys out. Should they have used said boats to earn money without the required permits etc, fair play on the arrest but that boat looks a long way from earning it's owner a living... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post CiaranO Posted September 20, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted September 20, 2013 This is absolutely a joke. Needing a work permit to have a hobby now. Im gonna cook the missus dinner tonight - will i be arrested for doing this????? because this is the ridiculousness of what they have done and are suggesting. Small minded people 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KhunMoo Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 "a crackdown on foreigners working illegally""arrests of a German man and a Swiss man who were caught building their own boats on their own properties" .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IrishIvan Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 They will have a field day down in Chalong bay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post LivinginKata Posted September 20, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted September 20, 2013 Over the years I seem to remember discussions on this forum about whether we are allowed to tend our garden, decorate our homes, repair our vehicles, and the like. It was always considered a little far fetched that Immigration would step in .... mmmm maybe not so far fetched now 14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al007 Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 Madness, I arrive on my own yacht, which in the past i have done, according to this if I am washing down my decks am I liable to prosecution for working, or I am repairing the radar same again 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IrishIvan Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 I am sure there are some snitches around that are directing the police to certain people for their own advantage. I have never heard of so many people being pinched. I bet there is a lot of nervous farangs in Phuket at the moment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post mikebike Posted September 20, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted September 20, 2013 Has no one actually bothered to read and understand the labour laws here. As LiK has alluded - yes most of our hobbies are considered work. Gardening, car repair/modify, yacht building... Not that I agree with it but these guys got popped for an antiquated but valid law. We all suppose that no one is gonna bother with our little bits of 'work', BUT there is always the chance! I know of many farrang who build their own boats/ultralights/hoovercraft etc... in their own yards (or buy and sell cars/bikes) and surprisingly about a week or two after their 'project' is done they sell it. Don't bitch if you are trying to avoid the work permit and legal Thai company... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthobkk Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 Wow biggest joke ever! I like spending time to fix and upgrade my motorbike. Should i also worry about that? I better ask a work permit. This is ridiculous. How can someone building his own boat can threaten the job market in Thailand? Sent from my GT-I9300 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacWalen Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 That is indeed very strange. I am surprised that they would go so far as not to let do any hobby like work on your own property. What about fixing my car or motorbike? I guess not allowed also. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zappalot Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 Thats really ridiculous. If something you do for yourself on your own ground is declared illegal then really everything can be interpreted as working illegal, even going shopping. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnlandy Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 surely building a boat for yourself on your own property is a hobby not work......if i do my own gardening am i working? Gardening you could be OK, but building a yacht you would come unstuck there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post stevenl Posted September 20, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted September 20, 2013 I would not be surprised at all if in the end it becomes known that both have done this before and have sold their yachts after completion. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IrishIvan Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 What about the beach clean up this weekend? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevenl Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 What about the beach clean up this weekend? Nothing to do with this, but: volunteer work, and workpermit required. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Briggsy Posted September 20, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted September 20, 2013 Yet still the mugs flock to Phuket to be fleeced. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Shot Posted September 20, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted September 20, 2013 The Mrs. is gonna be pissed when I tell her she has to mow the lawn from now on, and fetch my beer. 27 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Jasun Posted September 20, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted September 20, 2013 Perhaps if they're cracking down on the marine industry, they can start with the Jetskis. 14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IrishIvan Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 What about the beach clean up this weekend? Nothing to do with this, but: volunteer work, and workpermit required. Really?? You have to get a work permit to pick up rubbish??? That is insane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post IrishIvan Posted September 20, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted September 20, 2013 The Mrs. is gonna be pissed when I tell her she has to mow the lawn from now on, and fetch my beer. I just told my missus that I cant open my own beer now. She is really angry. I told her its Thai law and there is nothing I can do about it... life just keeps getting better :D 25 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldSalty Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 I have to agree with stevenl, maybe they have done it before and than sold the boat for a good profit, so maybe it is just a typical thai or farang way to get rid of a competitor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapfries Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 Thats really ridiculous. If something you do for yourself on your own ground is declared illegal then really everything can be interpreted as working illegal, even going shopping. "even going shopping" - well; let me enlighten you: YES; even going shopping ! ! ! About 2 years ago, when I was on a project in Hua Hin, it so happened that a chap (with a W/P !) went to the local Hafele store to purchase some hardware for the building he was working on; the Immigration Police walked in and asked him what he was doing . . . . He calmly answered that he was purchasing hardware for the job-site, for which he had a W/P. He was instantly arrested, because they "reasoned" that his work-permit only allowed him to 'work' on the address of the building site and nowhere else ! ! ! ! With regards to these 2 constructing boats in their respective back-yards: it is entirely possible that they are building these yachts, under contract to some customer, in which case they ARE working illegally. I am certain that if you were building a boat for yourself in your back-yard that nobody would touch you. TIT 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bangkokheat Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 i dont understand what all you guys are upset about, after all everyone in the world wants to live here because its perfect in every way, so immigration can do as they please because many more will come Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post OnTheRun Posted September 20, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted September 20, 2013 I made myself beans on toast this morning, should I turn myself in? 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frimu Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 surely building a boat for yourself on your own property is a hobby not work......if i do my own gardening am i working? If they want they can also get you on this! Really scary these developments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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