Question about live music and work permits

[Albertodelgado]

So I have a small Restaurant and I also play guitar,, I would like to sit in my restaurant and play a little guitar, entertain my guest and all, and hope that I can start an accoustic jam night where anybody who knows how to play can come up and a play a song or two. I know of two places (rays, lulu's) that do a jazz jam night. I have been warned against it by my legal advicers , they say that if the police want, they can arrest me. FOR PLAYING IN MY OWN RESTAURANT!! They say i need to get an "enrtainers, work permit" if I want to play in my restaurant, and if anybody else plays they need to have a work permit too. This seems very odd to me, since i'm not workin, cuz I'm not getting paid, and if anybody else wants to jam, I'm not paying them either.

Before I start ranting on the unfairness of this law, and how this only breeds corruption, and drives away buisness from the area,, i would like to know if its true.

[PeteC]

To start the ball rolling Alberto, in a place like Hua Hin where the MIB seem to prey on anyone where money can be made, yes, you probably need a separate permit. Perhaps if you lock the doors it can be said it is a private party but...locked or unlocked you have customers there who are there for the food....and the entertainment. The establishment (you) is profiting from their presence beyond their initial dining by keeping them in their seats longer because of the music, and buying more drinks or whatever. You would be an accessory before and after the fact so to speak.

Foreigners here even need a work permit for volunteer work by the letter of the law, so you not getting paid for that particular activity makes no difference.

I know, it's a tough nut to swallow. Perhaps if you can get some legal advice they can add an addendum to your existing permit that food and entertainment is part of one package and it's your duty as owner to provide both. Pete

[Homer]

The owner of the Fat Cat plays stand-up bass to electronic accompaniment. His sign says you can't sit in unless you have a work permit. Thought that was really odd until I found out that doing volunteer work in Thailand requires a work permit.

[PeteC]

Certain places in Thailand could benefit from underground, sound proof beer cellars, such as Antwerp! Pete

[buksida]

A number of bars and restaurants in Hua Hin have been raided with heavy fines for farangs playing music without permits - simply not worth the risk in this town.

[Albertodelgado]

This is crazy!! Is this just in Hua Hin, or all of Thailand! I get the feeling that the MIB in Hua Hin take their own interpretation of the laws; maybe I'm wrong, but what I am for sure, is a very frustrated business owner. All this red type really makes me want to close up shop and go to a more friendly country. There's gotta be something we can do, I mean I'm sure that the lawmakers that wrote up these laws did not have people playing guitar in their own establishment in mind.

[hhfarang]

Albert..., I think it's most of Thailand. If you can believe it, the officials of this country are even more corrupt than the officials of your home country!

[Albertodelgado]

I don't think they are that bad, not yet at least.

[johnnyk]

AFAIK in all Thailand there is only one person who is not corrupt and would not accept a sweetener.

[Big Boy]

AFAIK in all Thailand there is only one person who is not corrupt and would not accept a sweetener.

Please be very careful (check the forum's T&Cs) if answering the above post.

Can we please get this thread back on topic, and discuss work permits for playing music in your own establishment.

[Lung Per]

The authorities got you by the balls. There is no way around it. You will need a work permit.
You will probably be better off shutting down here and going to another country. It's not worth the hassle.

[Takiap]

It's got nothing to do with corruption. It's just with there being absolutely no crime in the country, the police get a little bored.

[jimmy40]

I know of a bar 2 nights ago got a fine for playing music off a usb drive!!! And i am now not after reading this fill in for the drummer etc while they have a fag. Seems not worth it.

[chelsea]

So I have a small Restaurant and I also play guitar,, I would like to sit in my restaurant and play a little guitar, entertain my guest and all, and hope that I can start an accoustic jam night where anybody who knows how to play can come up and a play a song or two. I know of two places (rays, lulu's) that do a jazz jam night. I have been warned against it by my legal advicers , they say that if the police want, they can arrest me. FOR PLAYING IN MY OWN RESTAURANT!! They say i need to get an "enrtainers, work permit" if I want to play in my restaurant, and if anybody else plays they need to have a work permit too. This seems very odd to me, since i'm not workin, cuz I'm not getting paid, and if anybody else wants to jam, I'm not paying them either.

Before I start ranting on the unfairness of this law, and how this only breeds corruption, and drives away buisness from the area,, i would like to know if its true.

From speaking to a few bar owners (Non Thai) in Hua Hin & other places in Thailand, even though the bar is owned by them and their family, as a non thai they are not allowed to lift a finger (even to the extent of taking and opening a beer) for a customer, because if they are spotted by MIB, they will be in big trouble with fines and/or deportation.

I remember talking to an english guy who wanted to paint his bar from top to bottom but was having trouble getting people to do it for him.
I suggested getting some of his mates from the UK over on a holiday and in turn, close the doors late at night and get them to do it after everyone had locked up. He said he had thought about it, but there was to much chance of trouble for both him and his mates if they got caught.

While what you have is a good idea, if you do go ahead and make a success of it, there are others that could loose business and would not think twice about dropping you in it with the MIB.

[johnnyk]

From speaking to a few bar owners (Non Thai) in Hua Hin & other places in Thailand, even though the bar is owned by them and their family, as a non thai they are not allowed to lift a finger (even to the extent of taking and opening a beer) for a customer, because if they are spotted by MIB, they will be in big trouble with fines and/or deportation.

I remember talking to an english guy who wanted to paint his bar from top to bottom but was having trouble getting people to do it for him.
I suggested getting some of his mates from the UK over on a holiday and in turn, close the doors late at night and get them to do it after everyone had locked up. He said he had thought about it, but there was to much chance of trouble for both him and his mates if they got caught.

While what you have is a good idea, if you do go ahead and make a success of it, there are others that could loose business and would not think twice about dropping you in it with the MIB.
[/quote]
The MiB are only one problem. Lots of bar owners have been shopped by a falang competitor.