Why Are You Even Here? The Surprising Attitudes of Some Expats in Thailand

[theodore]

Hello everyone!

I'm leading a SIFE team out to Thailand next year, Students in Free Enterprise is an international non-profit organisation who's aim is to change the world through the positive power of business. What we aim to be doing is going out to either North East or North West Thailand to find a small community or a large family and work with them to build a fish farm for them. I'm looking to primarily farm Tilapia.

However, I really need some advice on going about this! From A-Z, beginning to end, all pointers and comments are welcome!

Although my main points of confusion are:

Are ground or concrete ponds?

The legal implications of acquiring land

Where do I get water from and what kind of system do I need to fit.

I also read that fish ponds for small communities are legible for government grants is this true? and if so how do you go about it!

Thank you for all your help!

[DavidOxon]

I'd look at freshwater prawns. Price has more than doubled here in 3 years!

David

[CMSteve]

Also need to look into Visa , work permits, and ownership. VIsa and work permit(even for volunteering) are required and land ownership is virtually impossible for a non-thai.

[changraider]

I have no personal experience of fish-farms, but we have several in the neighbourhood, and I've talked to the Thai owners over a beer a few times.

Concrete or natural - both, it depends on the water retention in the soil (ie type of soil), the level of the pond relative to the waterline under the soil, the rainfall, and the existing irrigation infrastructure. All these things vary widely across the region.

Land ownership - only for Thais, but if you are talking about a Thai community then it shouldn't be a problem I guess.

Grants - yes there are village schemes, these may vary from region to region I don't know, and funds availability will change by the time you get here I guess.

If you are really serious I would suggest 2 things:

Contact the relevant Thai chamber of commerce, I don't have the link, but it's easy to find.

Ask the moderators to move this to the farming forum - some very experienced expat farmers there.

Finally, it goes without saying you need a watertight plan before you arrive in Thailand with a group of students.

Good luck :-)

[LivinLOS]

Volunteer visas and work permits also only go to local registered charities.. International efforts must partner up with a domestic one.

[slapout]

The farming forum is a good place to start with you questions. TV members have input answers to most question when it comes to fish farming on a small and large scale.

Thai government grants. You can start locally with the village head and move upward in the system. Best of luck in that endeavor. Hope you are getting plans, contacts, etc in place prior to your arrival.