Model behaviour: Foreign hotties support illegal model crackdown

A bevy of beautiful models posing and flaunting their most valuable assets – their work permits – were the highlight at a conference yesterday announcing a clampdown on illegal foreign models in Thailand.

The Ministry of Labor yesterday vowed to jail unlicensed models and employers as it hit back at those pretty faces that earn big money in the country without paying taxes.

Also at the conference were the Thai Modeling Industry and Agencies Association, along with 30 Thai and foreign models including big names like Khemanit Jamikorn, Yossavadee Hassadeevichit and Sabina Meisinger.

As the demand for models grows in Thailand, more foreign models have been entering the country on a tourist visa to work illegally. Most are from Eastern Europe and South America, and some are under 18 years old, said Puntarik Samiti, general-secretary of the Ministry of Labor.

Hiring underaged models is classified as child labor, she added.

Aarak Prommanee, Department of Employment director, said officials will hold a seminar to educate modeling agencies and encourage businesses to only hire legal models.

It’s unlikely the ministry will go as far as raiding the backstage of a fashion show, but it may request event organizers to submit documents of the foreign models they use, Post Today reported.

Unlicensed models could face up to five years in prison and a maximum fine of THB100,000 over violating Section 51 of the Foreign Workers Employment Act 2008, while companies that employ them will be liable to a fine of between THB10,000 and THB100,000 per model.

Photo: MCOT, FM 91


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