Can I do volunteer work In Thailand

[Grumpy Duck]

The maintenance staff at my place were having difficulty cutting down a tree. I started to help them when the manager told me I cannot help as I have no work permit. 

 

I recall a week or so ago I read an article here about a falang couple rescuing a thai family, there were a few comments asking if they had work permits, I thought they were jesting. 

[Benmart]

4 minutes ago, jeab1980 said:

Do they supply free Accommodation? Can you send me there web page please

Yes and yes. I will PM you.

[juice777]

It's a shame I need a work permit just to help out.I can't see me asking them now it don't seem worth the hassle. And I probably wouldn't get one for anyway. I imagine a 15-20 hours a week of unskilled labour probably won't be considered worth issuing one. Also I don't want to risk any future visa applications. Once again Cambodia are doing things right. I suppose I could start drinking myself to death lol.

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[juice777]

Yes and yes. I will PM you.

Can you pm me it to please. I just want to have a look out of curiosity.

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[simon43]

Ditto with the poster who volunteers in Cambodia.  I now live in Myanmar and work as a volunteer teacher at the weekends (I teach at an international school during the week).

 

My efforts are welcomed with open arms by the students, local teachers, police and anyone in a position of authority.  The idea that I might need some form of paperwork or work permit to do this volunteer effort seems unique to Thailand, (I never worked as a volunteer teacher in Thailand for this very reason).

[Benmart]

10 minutes ago, juice777 said:

Can you pm me it to please. I just want to have a look out of curiosity.

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Will do.

[Benmart]

25 minutes ago, juice777 said:

Can you pm me it to please. I just want to have a look out of curiosity.

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk
 

Just sent it to you.

[Mrjlh]

First, I apologize I screwed up by some how putting this in the wrong post wrong topic. And now can't remove it or delete it.  Anyway...

 

OK, I'll let you  in on a big secret and it won't be a secret after this!  Too many blabber mouths here.  After 11 years here I have learned a few things and seeing I'm leaving in 6 more weeks I really don't care too much anymore (as if I was worried).

 

First lesson, Thais are literal. So if you use the word "Volunteer" that equates to "work" which equates to "Work permit".  And that can spell trouble.

 

Second lesson: If you have provable "Expert" credentials in any field, there is a provision that allows you to get a WP provided an agency sponsors you. So keep that in mind. It's also a little more complicated than that.  So use that in you Hobby... the next lesson.

 

Third lesson: so you spend your time with your "Hobby".  Some peoples hobby is golf, some are camping, some are running...you get the idea.  Some are helping children with the English Language. Notice I avoided using the word Teaching? Some people have "advised" certain groups how to perform better. Notice I avoided the word "Consult". The words I avoided equate to "Work" and I don't do Work... I have a Hobby.

My hobbies have included doing things for Immigration when it first started using volunteers in the Phuket Office. Left that quickly when it became apparent a few were in it for the power trip and I just didn't care for their attitude.  My hobby's have included the Tourist Police in Korat with English flyers. Royal Thai Police in Bangkok  (cannot divulge but fun). The Air Force Museum in Bangkok.  And finally with the major government agency for which I will be parting with soon, knowing I have made a major impact on how that agency now conducts business for tourists. I actually lobbied and received acceptance for a policy change all the way up to the Inspector Generals Office but lost the bid at a higher office that would have helped all Expats living here. When I actually leave I might say who it was with and what it was for.

 

In all my hobby's I never took one baht for my time spent.  Therefore, I never worked and I never took any salary nor did I replace any Thai citizen's job.  In fact, I manged to get several Thais hired in my travels through my contacts. I would not say I was well connected as much as having made friends in the right places. So you see, you can have a Hobby here and do something constructive in your life if you work the system and not talk about it. You don't flaunt it. Try to keep a low profile.  It's funny that I say that, because my picture is plastered all over this country in all of my last government offices.  It's all about how you play the game.  So go out and find a Hobby!  So as not to rock the boat now, when I leave I'll suggest one idea for you.

[Benmart]

2 minutes ago, Mrjlh said:

First, I apologize I screwed up by some how putting this in the wrong post wrong topic. And now can't remove it or delete it.  Anyway...

 

OK, I'll let you  in on a big secret and it won't be a secret after this!  Too many blabber mouths here.  After 11 years here I have learned a few things and seeing I'm leaving in 6 more weeks I really don't care too much anymore (as if I was worried).

 

First lesson, Thais are literal. So if you use the word "Volunteer" that equates to "work" which equates to "Work permit".  And that can spell trouble.

 

Second lesson: If you have provable "Expert" credentials in any field, there is a provision that allows you to get a WP provided an agency sponsors you. So keep that in mind. It's also a little more complicated than that.  So use that in you Hobby... the next lesson.

 

Third lesson: so you spend your time with your "Hobby".  Some peoples hobby is golf, some are camping, some are running...you get the idea.  Some are helping children with the English Language. Notice I avoided using the word Teaching? Some people have "advised" certain groups how to perform better. Notice I avoided the word "Consult". The words I avoided equate to "Work" and I don't do Work... I have a Hobby.

My hobbies have included doing things for Immigration when it first started using volunteers in the Phuket Office. Left that quickly when it became apparent a few were in it for the power trip and I just didn't care for their attitude.  My hobby's have included the Tourist Police in Korat with English flyers. Royal Thai Police in Bangkok  (cannot divulge but fun). The Air Force Museum in Bangkok.  And finally with the major government agency for which I will be parting with soon, knowing I have made a major impact on how that agency now conducts business for tourists. I actually lobbied and received acceptance for a policy change all the way up to the Inspector Generals Office but lost the bid at a higher office that would have helped all Expats living here. When I actually leave I might say who it was with and what it was for.

 

In all my hobby's I never took one baht for my time spent.  Therefore, I never worked and I never took any salary nor did I replace any Thai citizen's job.  In fact, I manged to get several Thais hired in my travels through my contacts. I would not say I was well connected as much as having made friends in the right places. So you see, you can have a Hobby here and do something constructive in your life if you work the system and not talk about it. You don't flaunt it. Try to keep a low profile.  It's funny that I say that, because my picture is plastered all over this country in all of my last government offices.  It's all about how you play the game.  So go out and find a Hobby!  So as not to rock the boat now, when I leave I'll suggest one idea for you.

Thank you for the insight and sharing your wonderful experiences. I look forward to your "promised", "last hurrah". Good luck my friend and safe travels.

[bazza73]

1 hour ago, Benmart said:

So true. Untapped resources for so many professions are all around the blind world of officialdom. Another reason I  do my service in nearby Cambodia. There, the teacher's dorm is finished and now the playground construction begins.

Before I retired, I was an analytical/research chemist with a strong interest in test method development. I'd love to still be doing that on a volunteer basis, but there's simply no avenue here.

[Benmart]

4 minutes ago, bazza73 said:

Before I retired, I was an analytical/research chemist with a strong interest in test method development. I'd love to still be doing that on a volunteer basis, but there's simply no avenue here.

Thailand's loss. Good luck finding something that fills the time. 

[Mansell]

I also volunteered in Siem Reap in Cambodia at the Smiling Hearts School for Children. Really enjoyed working there. They work teaching English to poorer local children. You can find them on the Internet. And the city is fun, and you can visit Ankhor Wat. Cambodian people are very nice.....or they were to me.

[Mansell]

1 hour ago, Mrjlh said:

First, I apologize I screwed up by some how putting this in the wrong post wrong topic. And now can't remove it or delete it.  Anyway...

 

OK, I'll let you  in on a big secret and it won't be a secret after this!  Too many blabber mouths here.  After 11 years here I have learned a few things and seeing I'm leaving in 6 more weeks I really don't care too much anymore (as if I was worried).

 

First lesson, Thais are literal. So if you use the word "Volunteer" that equates to "work" which equates to "Work permit".  And that can spell trouble.

 

Second lesson: If you have provable "Expert" credentials in any field, there is a provision that allows you to get a WP provided an agency sponsors you. So keep that in mind. It's also a little more complicated than that.  So use that in you Hobby... the next lesson.

 

Third lesson: so you spend your time with your "Hobby".  Some peoples hobby is golf, some are camping, some are running...you get the idea.  Some are helping children with the English Language. Notice I avoided using the word Teaching? Some people have "advised" certain groups how to perform better. Notice I avoided the word "Consult". The words I avoided equate to "Work" and I don't do Work... I have a Hobby.

My hobbies have included doing things for Immigration when it first started using volunteers in the Phuket Office. Left that quickly when it became apparent a few were in it for the power trip and I just didn't care for their attitude.  My hobby's have included the Tourist Police in Korat with English flyers. Royal Thai Police in Bangkok  (cannot divulge but fun). The Air Force Museum in Bangkok.  And finally with the major government agency for which I will be parting with soon, knowing I have made a major impact on how that agency now conducts business for tourists. I actually lobbied and received acceptance for a policy change all the way up to the Inspector Generals Office but lost the bid at a higher office that would have helped all Expats living here. When I actually leave I might say who it was with and what it was for.

 

In all my hobby's I never took one baht for my time spent.  Therefore, I never worked and I never took any salary nor did I replace any Thai citizen's job.  In fact, I manged to get several Thais hired in my travels through my contacts. I would not say I was well connected as much as having made friends in the right places. So you see, you can have a Hobby here and do something constructive in your life if you work the system and not talk about it. You don't flaunt it. Try to keep a low profile.  It's funny that I say that, because my picture is plastered all over this country in all of my last government offices.  It's all about how you play the game.  So go out and find a Hobby!  So as not to rock the boat now, when I leave I'll suggest one idea for you.

My friend was grabbed here in Phuket by the local police for building a sailboat for himself. He said this is my hobby.....they said, No, this is work and wanted 40,000 baht.. He is now in Ecuador because he got banned for a year for being four days late etc. it might work for some, but not all.

[Benmart]

1 minute ago, Mansell said:

My friend was grabbed here in Phuket by the local police for building a sailboat for himself. He said this is my hobby.....they said, No, this is work and wanted 40,000 baht.. He is now in Ecuador because he got banned for a year for being four days late etc. it might work for some, but not all.

"No, this is work and wanted 40,000 baht..." That seems to put this into a whole different perspective in that the "police officers" goal was to extort money and the hobby statement was immaterial. The "four days late, etc." is baffling.

 

First hand experience weighs better than something that happened to a friend. 

[hashmodha]

My beach is 9kms and what a task it is especially when all the trash comes from up China seas...?

Please excuse spelling mistakes/misunderstanding
Best
HM

[JLCrab]

1 hour ago, bazza73 said:

Before I retired, I was an analytical/research chemist with a strong interest in test method development. I'd love to still be doing that on a volunteer basis, but there's simply no avenue here.

We have the Digital Nomad contingent here. Why not figure out a way to be a Digital Volunteer? The big problem comes when you are physically on the premises.

[Foozool]

The reason for need of work permit is: you as a volunteer will work for free, but your free work will cause one person lose opportunity of getting job as a paid position in fact. 

 

[jeab1980]

I would have thought they the thai goverment could easily add to a non o volunteers visa a caveat. That they are only to work as volunteers for the duration of the voluntary work which must be in writing from the organisation you volunteer for. This would forgo the need for a WP. At which stage they must either leave or  report to the nearest immigration office. And get some sort of extension type stamp to say voluntary work has ceased and giving them say 30 days to holiday if they want that.

[dzodun]

I am here on a 60 day tourist visa from the U.S. I would like to longer to help out at an orphanage I help support. Can I apply for a volunteer visa without returning first to the U.S? For example, can I go to Savannaket's Thai counsel to apply for a non o based on volunteering?

[BritTim]

40 minutes ago, dzodun said:

I am here on a 60 day tourist visa from the U.S. I would like to longer to help out at an orphanage I help support. Can I apply for a volunteer visa without returning first to the U.S? For example, can I go to Savannaket's Thai counsel to apply for a non o based on volunteering?

If you have all the necessary supporting documentation, a single entry Non O (Voluntary Services) visa can be issued at consulates close to Thailand. This would give an initial 90-day entry, after which you can apply for extensions of stay at your local immigration office inside Thailand. Note that, in most cases, you should also technically have a work permit, though the orphanage will assure you this is unnecessary (and you are unlikely to have a problem in practice).

 

This link shows the documentation required to apply for the visa in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: http://www.thaiembassy.org/hochiminh/en/services/2886/34924-Non-Immigrant-Visa-"O"---Voluntary-Servi.html. The requirements will be similar elsewhere.

[overherebc]

1 hour ago, BritTim said:

If you have all the necessary supporting documentation, a single entry Non O (Voluntary Services) visa can be issued at consulates close to Thailand. This would give an initial 90-day entry, after which you can apply for extensions of stay at your local immigration office inside Thailand. Note that, in most cases, you should also technically have a work permit, though the orphanage will assure you this is unnecessary (and you are unlikely to have a problem in practice).

 

This link shows the documentation required to apply for the visa in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: http://www.thaiembassy.org/hochiminh/en/services/2886/34924-Non-Immigrant-Visa-"O"---Voluntary-Servi.html. The requirements will be similar elsewhere.

My opinion only but I would suggest to anyone not to do any work of any kind here without first having a WP actually in your hands. The rules and regulations are written in Thai, that in itself it means open to interpretation. You will always be the loser in that situation.

Organisations asking or advertising for people to do this just do it to avoid spending money paying qualified Thai people.