Arthur Dent

Thank you all for your feedback. Yes, the foundation is figuring out what to do and I am helping how I can with research as well. A living maintenance stipend is technically acceptable for volunteers and is pretty standard for people coming from ASEAN countries on the volunteer visa. I am farang and trying to cover my bases ;) Note: the non-O volunteer visa functionally requires a work permit regardless of payment. Unless the regulations have recently changed: labor does not require a work permit for unpaid volunteering, however, PMJ requires a work permit for writing their recommendation letter to immigration to authorize a volunteer visa renewal of over 3 months...therefore labor provides WP's to volunteers out of consideration for making the volunteer's process with PMJ possible...(also, currently most Thai embassies are refusing new volunteer visas by requiring the letter from PMJ that depends on the WP before issuing the new visa...catch 22.)

Sorry for the apparent suspiciousness! I thought it was clear from my OP that my visa is a Non-O Volunteer visa (including work permit--not explicit in OP) which I have held, working with the same Thai foundation for 6 years. That foundation is offering to pay me as an independent contractor, meaning, paid for professional services as an outside entity rather than as a salaried internal employee. I am not sure what more details I should provide, i don't know what I don't know...that is why I am asking :) I hope that is more clear? Thank you!

The Thai foundation that I have volunteered with for the past 6 years is offering to pay me as an independent contractor (not employee). I am concerned that this will risk my Non-O volunteer status. Should I be concerned? Is there a right way to structure this? Thank you!