I should work for a thai foundation in nothern thailand. It seems to be very difficult to get a work permit. It was rejected serveral times for peanuts.

Now somebody told me that it would be much easier if the foundation would be registered at the Ministry of Education in BKK. As I am not a native speaker I am not supposed to teach English. My job decription is assistant of the (German speaking) director.

Has anybody heard of a registration at the MOE? (the projecdt is already registered as a thai foundation at another ministry)

Has anybody exjperienced a "smooth" work permit applying process with the mentioned registration? Where can I find a description of the process?

Thanks so much for your help!

Might be helpful if you could tell why the previous applications were rejected.

stevenl, sorry, I should be more precise. wp was only rejected once - the last time. Explanation: there is already one farang doing the work I do.

Before the officer sent my thai co-worker and me home either with a note that I could pick up the wp next week (which never happened) or he complained that some figures or signs were on the wrong place, the form of an organigram was not correct, a date was missing - he was looking for things to complain and when he couldn't find send me home with the paper that says you can pick it up next week.

The foundation applied succesfully for work permits before. It's not like my co-workers don't know how to do it.

But this is not the question of this thread. The question is whether there is a kind of registration at the MOE. And if that could make work easier for the foundation.

"As I am not a native speaker I am not supposed to teach English."

Plenty of non native English speakers teaching here.

For regular schools they need to take a TOEIC test, in addition to the other requirements.

Can't help about the registration.

If the people doing the paperwork really do understand the process, they can tell you if there is anything they have to get from the MOE before applying for the WP. That should give you a clue...

stevenl, sorry, I should be more precise. wp was only rejected once - the last time. Explanation: there is already one farang doing the work I do.

Before the officer sent my thai co-worker and me home either with a note that I could pick up the wp next week (which never happened) or he complained that some figures or signs were on the wrong place, the form of an organigram was not correct, a date was missing - he was looking for things to complain and when he couldn't find send me home with the paper that says you can pick it up next week.

The foundation applied succesfully for work permits before. It's not like my co-workers don't know how to do it.

But this is not the question of this thread. The question is whether there is a kind of registration at the MOE. And if that could make work easier for the foundation.

The MoE registration is for private schools. If your organization is not a schoold, it may not be able to register at all. Of course, government schools don't need that.

From your story it seems to me all you have to do is go there with an "influential" Thai person to get your WP approved.

Edited October 10, 201411 yr by paz

Sounds to me like the officer was only looking for pictures of an "influential" Thai person printed on the front and back of 1000 baht notes.

The foundation should have contact with high government officials, like the governor. That will also enable you t get a 1 year extension of stay instead of 90 days at a time.

Often a few words to the governor is enough to get things going smooth as silk.

Wayend and Paz: how many of this pictures would this officer probably want to See?

Actualy I don't want to be part of this system. But ...

Mario2008: First the Work permit, then the Visa extension. And that needs a letter to the Governour indeed I was told.

Wayend and Paz: how many of this pictures would this officer probably want to See?

Actualy I don't want to be part of this system. But ...

I was not recommending corruption. I was basically saying the same thing as ubonjoe: go there with a Thai that is able to understand the problem, and exercise the right pressure without paying anything but perhaps a small, visible gift for all the employees in the office. If that fails or you are asked for bribes ask to talk with the next higher manager.

Edited October 11, 201411 yr by paz

Mario2008: First the Work permit, then the Visa extension. And that needs a letter to the Governour indeed I was told.

No, the letter from the governor enables you to get a 1 year extension of stay. Without it you only get 90 day extensions, but still get your extension.

The governor has dealings with the labor office in your province, that is why I suggested to inform the governor about any problems regarding the WP.

When the year is over, you need to leave the country and get a new non-O visa, per new rules as of 29 August.