Thread: Police raid Hippie Festival Samui, � arrest French musicians

Police on Koh Samui broke up the “Hippie Festival Samui” at a restaurant on Lamai Beach and arrested 4 French musicians, who were performing at the event, for allegedly working without a work permit. The manager of the restaurant, 48 year old Kannika Thongreuang, was arrested for selling alcohol during hours when alcohol sales are prohibited.


Around 100 Thai and foreign customers at the event, according to Thai media. Bo Phut police checked passports and took 2 bottles of beer as well as a some bills as “evidence” of the alcohol sales. The musicians – a drummer, saxophone player, bass player and guitar player – were all taken to the Bo Phut police station. Thai Visa says police had received complaints about an “illegal party.”


Just last month, on neighbouring Koh Pha Ngan, police broke up a party at the ThreeSixtyBar and arrested 111 people, including 89 foreigners, for allegedly breaking a number of laws relating to Thailand’s Emergency Decree put in place to combat the spread of Covid-19.


Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Samui are part of a trio of popular islands off the Surat Thani coast in the Gulf of Thailand.


Police raid “Hippie Festival Samui,” arrest French musicians for allegedly working without a permit | The Thaiger

Should have arrested them for not bathing in a month.

Can’t say arresting people having a party will help their tourism recover, though.

Agreed, but if they’re having a party in violation of COVID safety measures I dare say many people will applaud that action.

Dunno why, but I always picture king willy as being a bit musty.

Dumb frogs

Originally Posted by Backspin

Dumb frogs

Perhaps they might have got away with such things when plod's revenue stream was a bit better.

Interesting to wonder how the term "hippie" gets involved here. Who would have chosen such a term?

Weird. Being in a band, if unpaid, is a hobby and no different to playing volleyball on the beach. Why is a work permit required?

Originally Posted by russellsimpson

Interesting to wonder how the term "hippie" gets involved here. Who would have chosen such a term?

Possibly the big fucking sign had something to do with it, who knows.

Originally Posted by Wakey

Weird. Being in a band, if unpaid, is a hobby and no different to playing volleyball on the beach. Why is a work permit required?

Where does it say they were unpaid, Moose?

Do you know the meaning of the word "if"? Where does it say they were paid?

Originally Posted by Wakey

Do you know the meaning of the word "if"? Where does it say they were paid?

If you are doing work that a Thai could do, it doesn't matter if you are being paid or not.

As many bar owners and sundry others have discovered to their great (financial) cost over the years.

Originally Posted by Wakey

Where does it say they were paid?

It doesn't, so you asking your question in such a way is as daft as asking 'Why were they arrested in Thailand if they were in France?'.


By the way, your ignore function is broken ... again. Have a nice day.

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

If you are doing work that a Thai could do, it doesn't matter if you are being paid or not.

Since when was playing a musical instrument that's the passion of your life been work?

^ Vacuous again?

Originally Posted by panama hat

^ Vacuous again?

Vacuous still