Hello. I am looking to get involved with a local volunteer org in Bangkok. preferably one that could help me get a visa if I signed up for a long term position. I've lived in Bangkok for 6 years and have put off getting involved for way too long. When I google volunteer in thailand all I get is scams, pay -to-volunteer stuff.

Help please!

You can not work as a "volunteer" in Thailand without a work permit, at least legally.

In order to do that you will need to be hired by a Thai employer.

Now comes the question......what can you do that would make it worthwhile for a Thai employer to hire you and pay you, not to mention paying the government the required Social Security benefits for you?

If you've been here 6 years, you should already know that by now.

I assume you speak fluent Thai already?

Talk about ulterior motives! You want to volunteer as you think that you can get a visa with the assistance of the organisation you purportedly want to help.

well if i was volunteering for 20+ hours a week, don't you think it would be worthwhile for an org to help me get a visa? I want to volunteer legally but I am self-employed

well if i was volunteering for 20+ hours a week, don't you think it would be worthwhile for an org to help me get a visa? I want to volunteer legally but I am self-employed

That was exactly my point, it would be very worthwhile for you. Haven't you got a visa already?

What has being self-employed got to do with your being a volunteer or not?

A very interesting question from the OP and I would also be very keen to get some "proper" answers to it from those who have some insight into volunteer work. Shame that so far the OP´s question has brought out only the usual TV flaming brigade.....

Haven't you got a visa already?

Why is that of any importance to you AND the question the OP asked?

A very interesting question from the OP and I would also be very keen to get some "proper" answers to it from those who have some insight into volunteer work. Shame that so far the OP´s question has brought out only the usual TV flaming brigade.....

DUS I don't think they are just flaming him--- but this is hardly an altruistic inquiry is it--its just linked to getting a Visa. I have done some volunteer work with learning impaired kids (deaf) in Pattaya (when Father Ray was around) also helped paint the Patttaya orphanage out with the motor cycle club----Jesters, & American sailors when they have had a ship in. sure that was over 15 years ago, but I hear they still do that sort of thing. Now living up in Issan I volunteer a little at a country school a few times a month. Place has no money whatsoever, no air con it's falling down---I just don't see them sending in a team of immigration officers to arrest me for doing something for nothing----if reported I would probably--possibly be told to stop.

But----Yes strictly speaking its against the law---there is only one volunteer job that I know of that is allowed..... Tourist Police.

You can go and join that---if you wish to do something & and be 100% legal.......you may even make TV with Dave from Pattaya.

well if i was volunteering for 20+ hours a week, don't you think it would be worthwhile for an org to help me get a visa? I want to volunteer legally but I am self-employed

You can't be legally self employed in thailand

On 7/28/2016 at 8:43 PM, lbutch27 said:

well if i was volunteering for 20+ hours a week, don't you think it would be worthwhile for an org to help me get a visa? I want to volunteer legally but I am self-employed

 

 You  seem to be missing the work permit requirement.

On 30/07/2016 at 9:42 AM, DUS said:

Why is that of any importance to you AND the question the OP asked?

 

It's not of any importance to me but it may be to the OP who wants to do volunteer work in order to "get a visa".

 

By the way, why is my comment so important to you that you have to jump to his defence?