Volunteer Work Permit

[paulgfox]

I'm a volunteer firefighter helping out the fire departments in Thailand. I travel there four or five times a year. I stay two or three weeks at a time. Do I really need a volunteer work permit? What will happen if I don't get one? Will I get a small fine and a "slap on the hand" if caught? Or can I get into real trouble?

Aloha,

Paul "Dang" Fox

[Loaded]

Technically yes. But this is Thailand and nobody cares unless you cause a problem for someone. If caught, it's jail then deportation. If you ask the Thai who is organising your visits, he'll say "don't worry you think too much"

[sriracha john]

From a similar thread:

The penalty for working without a valid work permit in Thailand is basically the same as for overstay:

Jail, fine, deportation and possibly blacklisted from entering the Kingdom again.

Read this info: http://www.thaivisa.com/303.0.html

I repeat, there are NO exceptions. All foreigners need a valid work permit.

About 200 western foreigners per year are deported for illegal work.

It's interesting reading all the various posts talking about all sorts of volunteer work and the various aspects of it and who may or may not need this or that in one situation or another.... but what really strikes me is that many people are apparently having a really hard time understanding the green text. The way I read it, is...

There are NO exceptions. All foreigners need a valid work permit.

[PoorSucker]

3. Aliens who are in the Kingdom of Thailand and wish to work in the Kingdom must comply with the following:

- An alien who wishes to apply for a work permit under the Board of Investment (BOI) law or other similar commercial laws must file an application for a work permit within 30 days from the date he/she is allowed to work under such law. (Any violation thereof shall be liable to a fine not exceeding one 1,000 Baht)

- An alien who lives in the Kingdom or receives a non-immigrant VISA to live in the Kingdom can work in Thailand after having received a work permit. (Any violation thereof shall make the employee liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months, or to a fine not exceeding 5,000 Baht, or to both penalties)

- An alien who performs work that is prescribed by the Royal Decree B.E. 2522 which prohibits alien employment in certain occupations and professions is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or to a fine from 2,000 to 100,000 Baht, or both penalties.

Source: Ministry of labour

[Mario2008]

The new alien labour law provides for fines from 2,000 baht to 100,000 baht and/or a jail term of up to 5 years. The law also provides for immediate deportation if the alien agrees to pay a fine to the labour official, instead of going to court. So a fine and deportation is the most logical.

If you are with a volunteer fire department you are at more risk then with a government fire department. Volunteer (tourist) police are exempt from the need to have a work permit. You can inquire if the same rule applies to fire fighters.

[sriracha john]

If you are with a volunteer fire department you are at more risk then with a government fire department. Volunteer (tourist) police are exempt from the need to have a work permit. You can inquire if the same rule applies to fire fighters.

Would you care to be the first and detail where this is true?

[Mario2008]

If you are with a volunteer fire department you are at more risk then with a government fire department. Volunteer (tourist) police are exempt from the need to have a work permit. You can inquire if the same rule applies to fire fighters.

Would you care to be the first and detail where this is true?

You are right, there is no such provision in the law I'm aware of. But both police and labour department seem to be of the opinion you don't need a WP for that.

[sriracha john]

If you are with a volunteer fire department you are at more risk then with a government fire department. Volunteer (tourist) police are exempt from the need to have a work permit. You can inquire if the same rule applies to fire fighters.

Would you care to be the first and detail where this is true?

You are right, there is no such provision in the law I'm aware of. But both police and labour department seem to be of the opinion you don't need a WP for that.

We've seen a few references to the police insinuating that... although it's not their area of responsibility, but do you know of references to Labor Ministry saying the same?

Until it's established definitively, if ever, perhaps erroring on the side of caution is called for and compliance with what is written would be prudent and responsible.

[simon43]

I have to agree with SJ on this matter. I have (I hope!), never suggested that TPVs do not need a WP. The various police bosses claim that one is not needed, but they don't make the WP regulations! Unfortunately, because of their stance, it is well-nigh impossible to obtain the paperwork that would enable obtaining such a WP for a TPV, (but I am still working on this!).

For other volunteer work, such as teaching, it should be much easier to obtain the WP, but it always needs your employer/volunteer organisation to provide the necessary paperwork to support your WP application.

Simon

[Mario2008]

There is no reference of the labour ministry I'm aware of. I was under the impression some police volunteers were told also by their labour office they dodn't need a WP.

As for the regulation, if my memory recals it rightly according to the aliens labour act it would have to be based on a royal decree. I doubt one exists.

[PeaceBlondie]

This is my least favorite topic. It has led me to advise foreigners not to do any volunteer work whatsoever in this lovely kingdom. Let the THAIS volunteer; it's their country and laws.

[gleeglee]

ONLY REGISTERED CHARITIES CAN ISSUE VOLUNTEER WORKPERMITS

If you are with a volunteer fire department you are at more risk then with a government fire department. Volunteer (tourist) police are exempt from the need to have a work permit. You can inquire if the same rule applies to fire fighters.

Would you care to be the first and detail where this is true?

[Mario2008]

ONLY REGISTERED CHARITIES CAN ISSUE VOLUNTEER WORKPERMITS

No need to shout.

Only the labour office can issue a work permit and they can do that for volunteering for a registered charity, but also for volunteering for the government, like for a volunteer at a government school.

[Soutpeel]

If you are with a volunteer fire department you are at more risk then with a government fire department. Volunteer (tourist) police are exempt from the need to have a work permit. You can inquire if the same rule applies to fire fighters.

Would you care to be the first and detail where this is true?

You are right, there is no such provision in the law I'm aware of. But both police and labour department seem to be of the opinion you don't need a WP for that.

But Phuket immigration are of the opinion that they do need to have a WP....

[elgato]

I knew a guy in Phrae that was doing volunteer work for the local catholic school putting in windows, etc. so they could install aircon. He did not have a permit and was ratted out by a local building contractor and subsequently told that he must leave Thailand presumably with a red stamp in his passport. This was about 4 years ago.