I see on one of the Thai news channels Taiwanese volunteers (at least 20) helping out answering questions and giving information at the airport. When I asked the GF why, she said it was because the airport was understaffed and they couldn't get Thai volunteers. Surely this can't be correct?

I assume it is for exactly the same reason why foreign volunteers (including myself) work at Phuket Airport - because they cannot get Thai volunteers...

Simon

I assume it is for exactly the same reason why foreign volunteers (including myself) work at Phuket Airport - because they cannot get Thai volunteers...

Simon

Doesn't that create a huge loss of face for the Thais? I'd like to know why the Taiwanese in particular are volunteers.

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Doesn't that create a huge loss of face for the Thais? I'd like to know why the Taiwanese in particular are volunteers.

Perhaps Swampy has many Taiwanese tourists who do not understand Thai language

As for loss of face, I have never given it a second's thought. If they cannot be bothered to volunteer their time to help tourists then the loss of face is their own making

Anyway, many western tourists do not know the difference between Taiwan and Thailand, and all Asians look the same ...

Doesn't that create a huge loss of face for the Thais? I'd like to know why the Taiwanese in particular are volunteers.

Perhaps Swampy has many Taiwanese tourists who do not understand Thai language

As for loss of face, I have never given it a second's thought. If they cannot be bothered to volunteer their time to help tourists then the loss of face is their own making

Anyway, many western tourists do not know the difference between Taiwan and Thailand, and all Asians look the same ...

From what I could understand, the Taiwanese could speak at least a little Thai, but I suppose most of their volunteer work would involve tourists, not Thais. It just seems a little strange to me that a Taiwanese would bother to help out an a Thai International airport. After all we're not talking about some humanitarian disaster here.

If they are getting Chinese visitors to fill out their landing cards before hitting passport control, that can only be a good thing.. Should get some Indians in as well.

It just seems a little strange to me that a Taiwanese would bother to help out an a Thai International airport. After all we're not talking about some humanitarian disaster here.

I wasn't aware that a major disaster was required in order for people to do volunteer work Some people do work like this for karma, others perhaps because they have spare time, others because they like to help. Every volunteer does it for their own reasons.

This isn't a snidey dig in any way at all Simon but a genuine question. Do you have a work permit?

Mca, this subject has been covered numerous times on other threads, especially concerning the Tourist Police Volunteers, (and I am not a TPV for about 2 years now). The written law says a WP is required and the practical situation often says otherwise, (especially if the volunteers are helping the police...)

I do not have a WP for my volunteer work, (one reason being that I do not work for any organisation). I will continue to do such work unless/until they throw me out of the country. I now also do volunteer work in Myanmar most weeks and no police/army have even thought to tell me to get a Burmese WP.

The written law says a WP is required and the practical situation often says otherwise, (

I concur. Thanks for your reply.

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I should also add that I DO have a WP for my professional work in Thailand (hotel manager)

It just seems a little strange to me that a Taiwanese would bother to help out an a Thai International airport. After all we're not talking about some humanitarian disaster here.

I wasn't aware that a major disaster was required in order for people to do volunteer work Some people do work like this for karma, others perhaps because they have spare time, others because they like to help. Every volunteer does it for their own reasons.

No, you are correct, a major disaster isn't required in order for people to do volunteer work. Personally, it would stick in my craw to do volunteer work just because the locals are to lazy to do it themselves, or the airport authorities are too tight-fisted to employ more people.

The written law says a WP is required and the practical situation often says otherwise, (

I concur. Thanks for your reply.

Reminds me of a visit from the Tourist Police. "You no need visa, we no pay you". "You no pay me, I no do. Bye Bye". ps I checked with immigration, they were wrong.

@Mosha - you are entirely correct

Simon