Journo, Looking To Talk To Anyone Who Has Done Volunteering In Thailand

[vanalli]

Possibly in the wrong section, but none of the other forums appeared relevant. Please move if required.

Basically, I'm a journalist and I'm working on a story at the moment about volunteer programmes in Thailand and looking at some of the differences between fee/no-fee volunteer programmes. If anyone out there has been to Thailand and done any volunteering (either fee or no fee) then please drop me a PM with your email address so I can get in touch.

Thanks a lot.

[Soutpeel]

I volunteer my pay check to Mrs Soutpeel every month...does that count ?

[Semper]

I thought volunteering was free.

[mrtoad]

I thought volunteering was free.

Still need a work permit I beleive

[surayu]

We are not trying to frame all those which did volountering not knowing that a work permit was required for it, do we ?

What happened to that guy that even setup a website about his secret missions ? The Rat in Pattaya, does anyone still remember him?

[Semper]

We are not trying to frame all those which did volountering not knowing that a work permit was required for it, do we ?

What happened to that guy that even setup a website about his secret missions ? The Rat in Pattaya, does anyone still remember him?

No.

[Thongkorn]

I thought volunteering was free.

Still need a work permit I believe

I give one week a year to help at the Hospital my mother in-law works , mainly for Burmese [Pomar]. Nobody is going to ask you for a work permit as you wheel them through the Hospital corridors. As its none profit making whats the problem ,The police monks and all the rest come and go and not one ever says "wheres your work permit,

[surayu]

As its none profit making whats the problem ,

The only problem is that you are effectively breaking the law......ehhrmm

I am not saying that's just by any means, i am talking about "law", did you read about the people arrested in Chiang Mai recently? they apparently had the same thought about it.

Remember, free or not free, for a good cause or for a bad cause, it doesn't make difference to them, full stop.

[Forethat]

With my company as base I started a thorough community service programme last year with the intention to give something back to this country that has given me so much. I try to get as many employees as possible involved. All of my employees are carrying wp:s and at a couple of occasions we've even been escorted by the police. I sometimes invite friends and other expats who doesn't carry a wp to join us (I have even invited TV members to volunteer. So far there's only ONE person here on TV (with ties to Korat) who's offered to help (yes, I remember you, thanks!!!)). But I have never heard about ANYONE doing charity work in Thailand having to justify his/hers presence.

Does anyone know of a situation where a volunteer doing charity work has been expelled..?

[surayu]

Forethat, as i mentioned before, people have very recently been arrested in Chiang Mai, they where not earning any money and it seems at least some of them it's been doing that for years before being nabbed, last time i read that topic they were already in jail, do we still want to be irresponsibles and attract unaware and innocent people into a trap they definetely do NOT deserve? because their only faults is willing to help? at least have the decency to inform those taking part into it of the real legal situation they will end up into, then they can decide what to do with theirselfs, but absolutely do NOT play with the few people still willing to do some goods in their lifes (!).

Just as general additional notes still worth to be mentioned:

1) During the Tsunami, high representatives of that government officially warned the volounteers to stop helping or they would get arrested, did we just forgot that or what?

2) If the police currently closing one, two or even 3 eyes for you and for any given reasons just decide to do the contrary of what they are doing, there is not much you will be able to do about it, it wouldn't be the first time such "changes" of mind happens and surely not the last....

3) Somebody in uniform (not necessarely the police, as the navy showed us), could turn up and "compensate" all the goodwillers, it happen regularly, police from even neighbouring provinces cracking down were their collegues just missed a thing or two.

I will conclude by saying, to volounteer in Thailand it's not forbidden, but there are some expenses needing to be forked out and paperwork involved, if you don't, you are taking a very high risk, a bit like all those guys that still ride a motocy without a helmet because they have never been stopped and then you see them shouting when the fine finally arrives, or even worse, with a head in a thousand pieces splattered on the road.... Don't do it guys, but if you do, make sure everything had been done properly, don't trust even your boss, as it's full of individuals that couldn't care the slightest bit to what is going to happen to you!!! enough said.

[khall64au]

We are doing similar research Vanalli: send me a PM - I can link you up with past volunteers in many different humanitarian fields.

[Forethat]

Forethat, as i mentioned before, people have very recently been arrested in Chiang Mai, they where not earning any money and it seems at least some of them it's been doing that for years before being nabbed, last time i read that topic they were already in jail, do we still want to be irresponsibles and attract unaware and innocent people into a trap they definetely do NOT deserve? because their only faults is willing to help? at least have the decency to inform those taking part into it of the real legal situation they will end up into, then they can decide what to do with theirselfs, but absolutely do NOT play with the few people still willing to do some goods in their lifes (!).

Just as general additional notes still worth to be mentioned:

1) During the Tsunami, high representatives of that government officially warned the volounteers to stop helping or they would get arrested, did we just forgot that or what?

2) If the police currently closing one, two or even 3 eyes for you and for any given reasons just decide to do the contrary of what they are doing, there is not much you will be able to do about it, it wouldn't be the first time such "changes" of mind happens and surely not the last....

3) Somebody in uniform (not necessarely the police, as the navy showed us), could turn up and "compensate" all the goodwillers, it happen regularly, police from even neighbouring provinces cracking down were their collegues just missed a thing or two.

I will conclude by saying, to volounteer in Thailand it's not forbidden, but there are some expenses needing to be forked out and paperwork involved, if you don't, you are taking a very high risk, a bit like all those guys that still ride a motocy without a helmet because they have never been stopped and then you see them shouting when the fine finally arrives, or even worse, with a head in a thousand pieces splattered on the road.... Don't do it guys, but if you do, make sure everything had been done properly, don't trust even your boss, as it's full of individuals that couldn't care the slightest bit to what is going to happen to you!!! enough said.

I do know, however, that there are individuals who uses an alleged voluntary status as an argument to remain in the Kingdom. Some of these are even involved in political activities clearly regulated by Thai law. Edited June 1, 2011 by Forethat

[dunkin2012]

Forethat, as i mentioned before, people have very recently been arrested in Chiang Mai, they where not earning any money and it seems at least some of them it's been doing that for years before being nabbed, last time i read that topic they were already in jail, do we still want to be irresponsibles and attract unaware and innocent people into a trap they definetely do NOT deserve? because their only faults is willing to help? at least have the decency to inform those taking part into it of the real legal situation they will end up into, then they can decide what to do with theirselfs, but absolutely do NOT play with the few people still willing to do some goods in their lifes (!).

Just as general additional notes still worth to be mentioned:

1) During the Tsunami, high representatives of that government officially warned the volounteers to stop helping or they would get arrested, did we just forgot that or what?

2) If the police currently closing one, two or even 3 eyes for you and for any given reasons just decide to do the contrary of what they are doing, there is not much you will be able to do about it, it wouldn't be the first time such "changes" of mind happens and surely not the last....

3) Somebody in uniform (not necessarely the police, as the navy showed us), could turn up and "compensate" all the goodwillers, it happen regularly, police from even neighbouring provinces cracking down were their collegues just missed a thing or two.

I will conclude by saying, to volounteer in Thailand it's not forbidden, but there are some expenses needing to be forked out and paperwork involved, if you don't, you are taking a very high risk, a bit like all those guys that still ride a motocy without a helmet because they have never been stopped and then you see them shouting when the fine finally arrives, or even worse, with a head in a thousand pieces splattered on the road.... Don't do it guys, but if you do, make sure everything had been done properly, don't trust even your boss, as it's full of individuals that couldn't care the slightest bit to what is going to happen to you!!! enough said.

There are a number of non profit organizations in CM want to have many foreigners joined them.(from my instant research). We definitely can be there,CM. Really feel sad for those people were arrested doin' volunteer work. And really more sad for what happened to those Innocents durin' the Tsunami in Puket( threatenin' behavior by tellin' to arrest those volunteers)

We Plan to do some volunteer work either in Pattaya Or Rayong after My Good friend gets a flight from Milan - BKK next Monday.

All you mentioned above makes a lot of sense. thnks !!!!! I will tell him that we just forget about it. If there is too much complex especially involvin' too much pepper work.

here is additional info. for you guys.

is it strange that many of 'em appear to be available for us with hefty fees? wanna believe this.

volunteer Thailand

Edited June 2, 2011 by dunkin2012

[thunder30101]

All it takes is one person that doesnt like falangs, and there are many of them here, to complain about you. Possibly being fined, jailed and deportation are what you are looking at by doing it. Its not worth it to me no matter how good the cause.