Work Permit blitz

Post by **bapak** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 10:46 pm

It that time of the year again. Police are very busy checking Work Permit or lack of. Our building was raided yesterday. Checked from top to bottom. And on Naresdamri Road tonight, tailor shops were the target and several people were in custody. In our building it was Tourist Police. Did not know that it was their job.... but like I said.. End of the year.

Post by **margaretcarnes** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 7:24 am

I don't think it's unusual for the Tourist Police to be involved - and to be honest it's about time some of those tailors shops were checked out IMO.
But I just noticed a post about WPs on that other forum as well - a farang renewing a teaching WP at Immigration on the other side of the pond. Complaining that a warning had been given regarding improving his Thai language skills.
Again - a fair warning from the sound of the post IMO. Shame they don't also test English language skills in many cases... but if you are above board and compliant with current regs there shouldn't be anything to worry about.

Post by **Roel** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 1:59 pm

Think I saw the same post Mags, but as I understood it this person went to Pattaya Immigration to extend his ED-visa. Immigration does not extend Work Permits, Labour Department does.

His ED-visa was issued because he is studying Thai. It was his second 3-month extension which means that he is supposed to have been following Thai courses for 6 months now. Therefore the Immigration official checked on his ability to speak Thai. So if you still not get any further than 'sawasdee khap' Immigration has good reason to believe that you are not following any Thai lessons at all but merely enrolled in order to get the visa.

Sorry if you were referring to another post but I think the above could be useful information for ED-visa holders anyway.

Post by **dtaai-maai** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 11:21 pm

That makes sense senses, Roel. If work permit holders are suddenly required to speak good Thai there are many of us who'll be in deep doo-doo...

krap

Post by **margaretcarnes** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 8:13 am

Yes - my apologies Roel you're right!

Post by **hhfarang** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 11:34 am

I also read elsewhere that the cost of a work permit is going up something on the order of 500% starting January 1...

Post by **bapak** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 12:04 pm

hhfarang wrote:I also read elsewhere that the cost of a work permit is going up something on the order of 500% starting January 1...

Cost of the Application is up from Baht 100 to Baht 600. The actual permit is still the same - Baht 3,000

This increase also applies to applications for changes/modifications of existing work permits.

Super Joe · Post by **Super Joe** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 2:38 pm

hhfarang wrote:I also read elsewhere that the cost of a work permit is going up something on the order of 500% starting January 1...

There is a new act that, although was bought in a while back, is not yet being enforced. Maybe it will on your January 1st date!?!?
Here's a detailed discussion about it: http://www.huahinafterdark.com/forum/ne ... 13779.html

There is a major price increase although the work permit renewal will be for valid for 2 years instead of 1 year, so the price indicated is halved. Taking your 500% figure, or 250% as it will be a 2 year validity, some view that as a 250% increase, some view it as a 20% increase as the cost has not changed (inflationary increases) over the past 'x' number of years.

SJ

Post by **Roel** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 5:16 pm

Apparently the date is set for 21 December. So from this Monday onwards.

Super Joe · Post by **Super Joe** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 6:23 pm

bapak wrote:Police are very busy checking Work Permit or lack of. Our building was raided yesterday. And on Naresdamri Road tonight, tailor shops were the target and several people were in custody.

Roel wrote:Apparently the date is set for 21 December. So from this Monday onwards.

This all makes perfect sense. This new Alien Working Act bought in in 2008 not as yet enforced, looks like it's starting as of tomorrow from Roel's info. The new act has much stiffer penalties for no WP, upto 100k fine for employee and/or max. 5 year jail term, and upto 100k fine per employee for employer.
It says something about new powers of arrest without the need for a warrant (maybe why Tourist Police have been in attendance!?). Talks about opting out of the jail term if you agree to let the investigator arrange for you to be repatriated out of the Kingdom within 30 days.

All panic inducing stuff guaranteed to get you from the interview room to the ATM machine and back inside of Usain Bolt's world record of 9.57 seconds

Their getting serious, worth a read for anyone involved: http://thailaws.com/law/t_laws/tlaw0366.pdf
(don't know this firm from Adam or the accuracy of their translation, many law firms have their own translations up so worth double checking.)

SJ

Post by **Khundon1975** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 10:03 pm

Sections 50 to 55 are real humdingers.

It seems any "official" can arrest an alien caught working without a permit and escort you to a police station. Pausing only at the nearest bank as SJ said.

Loads of opportunities for tea money for the poor underpaid government employees.

Also any alien caught doing work not covered by their work permit is up sh** creek.

Thank God I was retired when I was there and never lifted a finger, as far as work within the business was concerned.

Lifted a few beers though. Hope that isn't considered work.

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