Thailand… This Is Getting Foreigners Deported

The video discusses a recent incident in Pai, Thailand, involving the arrest of the owner and musicians at a venue formerly known as Edible Jazz or Jazz House. The venue's owner, Brian, an Irish expat, was arrested for operating without proper business registration and released on bail. Three musicians – Matias from Brazil, and two Israeli nationals, Yish and Sheay – were also arrested. Matias and Yish were fined for working without work permits, and Sheay was fined for working outside the scope of his existing work permit, which did not list "musician." The speaker, who has experience owning a jazz lounge and playing music, expresses sadness over the penalization of music, particularly when foreigners are simply jamming for enjoyment rather than as a primary source of income. While acknowledging the importance of protecting Thai occupations and the necessity of work permits, the speaker argues that jamming musicians, especially those who are transient and not employed long-term, shouldn't be treated the same as individuals holding down regular jobs. The speaker believes that many venues, like their own in the past, cannot afford to pay all the musicians who might jam, and that these musicians often play for the love of music, perhaps receiving only free drinks. The incident is framed within a broader context of increasing tensions between locals and foreigners working in Thailand illegally. However, the speaker notes that some local Thai residents in Pai are more concerned about other types of illegal foreign occupations rather than the musicians. The arrest of the musicians is seen as a consequence of authorities casting a wide net to enforce regulations. A significant point of contention is that the musicians, after paying their fines, were processed for deportation instead of being released. This has sparked debate about the perceived aggressiveness of the enforcement policy concerning musicians. The speaker draws a distinction between protected occupations and musicians who are not being paid. They suggest that even if it's unclear if these specific musicians were paid, the situation discourages foreigners from jamming, which has a negative impact on the live music scene. The speaker recounts their own experience of having musicians from Norway and Sweden jam at their jazz lounge without pay, contributing to a great atmosphere that both locals and tourists enjoyed. They lament that such spontaneous musical collaboration might cease due to this incident. A potential solution proposed is the introduction of a temporary permit for musicians who wish to jam. This permit, perhaps obtainable on arrival or at a local council for a fee, would allow foreigners to play music without receiving payment. The speaker suggests that the government could collect fees for such permits and potentially redirect the funds to the local community. This, they believe, would allow music to thrive, support traveling musicians, attract audiences to venues, and ultimately increase venue revenue. The speaker also touches upon the harsh conditions at the immigration detention center and the potential for deportation to lead to blacklisting. They mention that the musicians were well-regarded locally and that the jamming at this venue had been occurring for years, suggesting it was not an unknown practice to authorities. While not defending the venue owner's lack of proper licensing, the speaker emphasizes their personal connection to jamming musicians. They recall paying Thai bands substantial salaries and hosting well-known foreign musicians like Rody Lurmer who played with legends, highlighting that these individuals were not seeking financial gain from jamming. The speaker clarifies that they are not against work permits, as they themselves have one for their YouTube activities. However, they suggest that a more nuanced approach is needed. They advocate for a system that can differentiate between those who are employed and those who are simply participating in jam sessions. In conclusion, the speaker expresses sadness at the change in Pai's cultural landscape, particularly the impact on venues like Edible Jazz, which was an integral part of the community. They believe that a more flexible approach to regulating visiting musicians, possibly through a temporary jamming permit, would benefit the music scene and the local economy without undermining the protection of Thai jobs.