How to avoid being arrested without a work permit

Having established myself as a street magician in previous years here in Chiang Mai and also having worked with a valid work permit in Phuket Island at the time of the Tsunami disaster I am well aware of the enormous risk I take in earning any money here without my papers. It’s one of the easiest ways to go straight to jail! And there is no “Get out of jail free” card here.

So the last place you would expect me to make a magic show is in a Police Station! And that’s exactly what I did last night! This was a really devious way to win the respect of the local police force. My manager, Mr. Mann who I rent my room from had this brilliant idea to approach the Police and ask if they would like a free magic show.

It so happens that tomorrow, 9th Jan is Children’s day in Thailand and there are many events for children all over the country. We asked the police if I could make a charity show and collect money as a donation to the sick monk, Pra Pornchai which I have been doing in previous years. They were delighted with the offer and asked if I could make a show the same evening for the entire police force for the Chiang Mai district at there new Year’s celebration which they were having a week overdue.

I was completely unprepared having not unpacked my show or practiced, so I slapped a quick 20 minute show together and off we went. I really hope they were satisfied but now every police man in the area knows me and will surely have second thoughts about arresting me! Job well done!