Not many are aware of this, but apparently, Thai students have been working as “singers” and “models” in the various KTV outlets and entertainment venues across Singapore during their school breaks.
The money these “singers” and “models” earn is presumably a lot better than what’d they get if they were part-timing at McDonald’s, or interning at Coconuts Bangkok even.
The problem has gotten so bad that Thailand’s Labour Ministry issued a warning yesterday to the showbiz students that they’re breaking the law, The Nation reports.
The Nation revealed that the Labour Ministry’s Department of Employment (DOE) found out Thai students are being lured by the promise of a round-trip plane ticket, free accommodation, and earning up to BHT400,000 (SGD16,326) for entertaining patrons in Singapore’s seedy watering holes.
However, DOE warned that such work was illegal — citizens who enter Singapore on a tourist visa and are caught working without a proper permit are liable for up to two years in jail and/or a fine of up to SGD20,000. Meanwhile, it’s up to six months in prison and at least three strokes of the cane, should they overstay their visa.
Thai students must not believe those trying to convince them to work illegally there, added DOE director-general Waranon Pitiwan.
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