I've just started to set up a website to give people information about voluntary work they can do in Thailand. I'm trying to find organisations that don't charge crazy money or rip people off, and also small, local organisations which could benefit from some help finding volunteers.

The website is www.volunthai.blogspot.com and I'd appreciate any help if you know of organisations I can add or have past experience or knowledge of organisations in Thailand - the good, the bad and the ugly -so I can pass on that information to potential volunteers. Any advice on the website would be good too as I'm quite technically crap

Thanks

"You must have a work permit to perform any type of work in Thailand. This also includes volunteer and non-profit work."

"Warning: The penalty for working in Thailand without a work permit can be from 3 months to 5 years imprisonment. You will also face deportation and be blacklisted from Thailand for 99 years."

Taken from SunBelt Legal Advisers' web site.

Whilst your motives are just, you should consider the legal situation you might be creating for visitors or tourists in Thailand by promoting such working without the "correct" documents.

not on the law side of things, as cuban rightly sugests, but the website homepage looks well, could do wi some photos of people helping the poor/ needy etc

and maybe any bennifits for a typical student say taking a year off and doing some charity work, what would they get towards thier cv etc maybe?

any how good luck with ya venture, hope all goes well and dont forget cubans advice cover your own asse first!

chris

Thanks for the advice.

As I'm just putting links to the sites of the organisations I thought it would be the organisation's responsibility to work directly with the volunteer on work permits and the legalities. I'm just trying to cut down on the internet search time for voluntary work and I'm definately not saying don't get the right documents. Would I really be responsible if the organisation and volunteer don't work this out between themselves?

Thanks for the advice.

As I'm just putting links to the sites of the organisations I thought it would be the organisation's responsibility to work directly with the volunteer on work permits and the legalities. I'm just trying to cut down on the internet search time for voluntary work and I'm definately not saying don't get the right documents. Would I really be responsible if the organisation and volunteer don't work this out between themselves?

looks great and should be pinned here for budget travellers. Just add a disclaimer to be on the safe side

Thanks for the advice.

As I'm just putting links to the sites of the organisations I thought it would be the organisation's responsibility to work directly with the volunteer on work permits and the legalities. I'm just trying to cut down on the internet search time for voluntary work and I'm definately not saying don't get the right documents. Would I really be responsible if the organisation and volunteer don't work this out between themselves?

well i dont know what the def complications are, same as you so see a solicitor and/or start with a basic link disclaimer to sunbelt solicitors and thai visa etc and imigratoin etc in a helpful but legalish way ya can!

chris

Would I really be responsible if the organisation and volunteer don't work this out between themselves?

If you acted as an agent I think you might be, but depends where you are and if this were seen as a business. the issue with WPs have been touched on here before - the laws are applied selectively.

I know one of the places that your web site lists personally, I don't believe that they have suffered any issues with WP raids etc, but they are one of the special "cases" I understand from talking to the manager that runs it.

Thanks everyone - I hadn't considered any legal problems so I'll certainly look into that and adding a disclaimer. My friend's husband is a Thai solicitor so I can check with him.

The website is www.volunthai.blogspot.com and I'd appreciate any help if you know of organisations I can add or have past experience or knowledge of organisations in Thailand - the good, the bad and the ugly -so I can pass on that information to potential volunteers.

Thanks

In China until friday, so I cannot open anything on blogspot.com. China blocks it to prevent political dissent.