"volunteer Only 6hrs Per Week" And Live Hassle Free In Thailand

[Trigonometry]

I have spotted an advertisement to the effect of:

Volunteer only 6hrs per WEEK and live hassle free in Thailand.

Is this even remotely possible? What sort of visa would that be?

(The advertisement can be found in the 'Pattaya Jomtien Traveller' - one of those free booklets for tourists. I initially assumed this to be a scam or misprint, but then the tourist office staff told me this ad has been appearing for many months now, that's why I bring it up... I don't have the latest booklet at my fingertips but will supply details tomorrow if required.)

[Mario2008]

It is possible to volunteer in thailand and get a visa and permisison to stay based on that. You would get a non-immigrant O visa. and the extesion of stay provided it is a registered charity and they help applying for a work permit for you.

But always be careful with volunteer work where you have to pay. Most times it is just a tourist trap where you pay inflated prices for boarding and they won't bother applying for a work permit for you.

[PoorSucker]

Ask them for WP and a non-migratory visa.

Looks like travel agency for me.

[Trigonometry]

I have skimmed your pinned pages but it does not seem to say anywhere what the "O" stands for.

And the term "non-migratory" baffles me - same as "non-immigrant" or not?

[Jingthing]

O stands for Other.

I have heard of this volunteer thing before from Chiang Mai. I think it can be legit. Not saying this offer was though. Needs more research.

[flyinghigh]

Seen same advert in Pattaya Today newspaper ,gives email address ,which i emailed ,and never got a reply....pattaya today comes out every two weeks

[rodcourt49]

O stands for Other.

I have heard of this volunteer thing before from Chiang Mai. I think it can be legit. Not saying this offer was though. Needs more research.

sure it's legit..how do you think the Missionaries stay here, or other folk who teach for non gratis plus the many other types of voluntary work to be done here..all are volunteers and have to pay for the WP and Visa fees to do 'unpaid' work. The criteria is strict and complicated through a foundation as the Labor Office have upped the anti on documents and regular proof of activities etc. There are various prices too for a WP depending whether you do it alone, use a lawyer or let the organization do it on your behalf..the actual visa and associated WP fees together total just under 5,000 baht per year. Some foundations charge from 15,000 baht per year to some lawyers charging 45,000 baht..this part sure needs careful consideration.

[TerryLH]

"...the actual visa and associated WP fees together total just under 5,000 baht per year."

Do you have a discount card?

"sure it's legit..."

The discussion is about a specific program. Is that program the one you're commenting on?

[rodcourt49]

"...the actual visa and associated WP fees together total just under 5,000 baht per year."

Do you have a discount card?

"sure it's legit..."

The discussion is about a specific program. Is that program the one you're commenting on?

I can answer the 1st part of your Q. as I wrote that..the 2nd part of your Q. was a statement made by jingthing.

My fees came out at 4,800 baht from memory, included WP Fee plus Mult Entry Permit.

My foundation charges 15,000 baht per year and you pay for all visa/permits related to that WP.

The foundation utilises us for whatever accountable skills we can provide.

If you live CNX and am interested PM me and I will introduce you to the pastor.

Everyone pays the same amount with the Govt. of CNX getting the bulk of the 15,000..no discount card.

[Trigonometry]

I really appreciate all the details.

If anyone else has 1st hand experience I hope they'll take a minute to type some info here (particularly how much they have paid and how much running around they needed to do) as no doubt many people are interested.

Other things that would be good to know:

1 - is the work permit that allows one to volunteer also valid for paid work?

(I am not sure what rodcourt49 meant by "folk who teach for non gratis".)

2 - if not, is it risky to do paid work?

(I have a SPECIFIC activity in mind: Online professional translator working entirely on the Web and receiving Paypal payments from abroad.)

3 - is there any reward for volunteer work? food? lodging?

(Btw. I haven't called the number in the ad yet as I am not at the point where I could say I definitely want to volunteer.)

[rodcourt49]

I really appreciate all the details.

If anyone else has 1st hand experience I hope they'll take a minute to type some info here (particularly how much they have paid and how much running around they needed to do) as no doubt many people are interested.

Other things that would be good to know:

1 - is the work permit that allows one to volunteer also valid for paid work?

(I am not sure what rodcourt49 meant by "folk who teach for non gratis".)

2 - if not, is it risky to do paid work?

(I have a SPECIFIC activity in mind: Online professional translator working entirely on the Web and receiving Paypal payments from abroad.)

3 - is there any reward for volunteer work? food? lodging?

(Btw. I haven't called the number in the ad yet as I am not at the point where I could say I definitely want to volunteer.)

..folk who teach for non gratis (=free) ..many missionaries work here for free. The foundation submits the hours worked and each person submits a quarterly return to the foundation who on-send to the Labor Office.

Other foundations some people have set up and draw a salary from that to help run the operation.

The Work Permit is specific in what you are permitted to do so if one wanted to do paid work it would have to be endorsed by the Labour Office and an entry placed in the blue permit book you hold.

If you were going to do other paid work ie teaching or running a business then you would need a specific entry/entries in your WP.

As mentioned by other posters, best allow the institution apply for it on your behalf as they will be your guarantor.

If you wanted to start a business you could apply for it by yourself directly at the Labor Office or use an agent or lawyer to do the same for you.

As far as any 'reward' etc. in my instance, definitely 'no' but the church does offer food to all that come plus lodgings of you get involved in teaching some of their refugee groups.

Hope this assists you.

[Trigonometry]

If anyone is interested the full text of the ad I referred to:

"Volunteer Work Permit available. If you don't mind volunteering 6hrs. a week, you can live in Thailand free of charge and hassle. call 085 ... ...., email: jdlsimons@... "

I have called the mobile no. and the initial explanation seemed OK, but the line wasn't great so I asked the gentleman to send me the details by Email. (Still waiting.)

(They don't respond to contact via Email or Messenger unless they've heard from you via phone first - apparently a SPAM-related problem.)

[jazzbo]

I have never met or heard of a publicity-shy registered NGO... never.

[wolf5370]

I know someone that runs such a foundation - they run it as a part of their business, but take no profit from it - they charge the 5k (WP and 1yr Non-"o" Visa fees multi) and it all goes to the government. Many companies do this AS a business (some are dodgy and don't actually apply for WP - the paperwork is a nightmare I'm told). This couple handle all the paperwork for free. If you look around you can find such groups without getting ripped off. CMU has one I believe that charges around 15k, which is a clear 10k profit for them. The legit and non-profit ones are usually joined to a company (such as a TEFL school) thast requires a course to be passed which is paid for. Thus using it as a draw, but not double dipping.

No idea about the one listed however - though if they don't reply and don't have a website etc, then I wouldn't trust them personally.

BTW its just 4 hours ba week - 16 hours a month - that is required I believe.

[jazzbo]

I have never met a REAL NGO doing REAL charitable work that would not have enough things going on to keep you busy -- and enjoyably busy -- 16 hours a day if you so chose.

[Trigonometry]

Interesting!

I think in my list of "Other things that would be good to know" I forgot to ask the most important question:

4 - Is one required to have a Thai bank account with a whole lot of money in it to be able to acquire the Visa - cum - Work Permit combination under discussion?

(I hear that for certain other types of visa very large amounts of money in a THAI account are needed.)

[Mario2008]

There is no money in the bank or income requirement, but some immigraiton offices will want to see a bankbook with some money in it to see that you have money to live in. (believe ATM slips from a foreign bank will also be accepted. Showing something like 20,000 and some cash flow should be enough to proof you can sustain yourself.