Volunteer work

[aurum]

I have had a few trips to Hua Hin with my husband - we now want to spend more time there and plan on doing some voluntary work. Does anybody know who we can speak to, to see what might be available, the idea is to help out at local schools, charities etc,

[Takiap]

Hi and welcome to the forum.


While your intentions are very good, my advice would be that the two of you should tread very carefully when it comes to things like this. Laws in Thailand have been written in such a way so that you can get busted for working without a work permit, even if you are not getting paid.


Good luck though

[aurum]

Thanks for the tip.

[caller]

Notwithstanding what Takiap say's, you could have a look at the links to two local charities in boxes at the top right of this page.

[johnnyk]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I seem to remember falangs getting busted or hassled when helping in the aftermath of the tsunami. Pretty bizarre but do be careful about volunteer work.

[Roel]

I think the story about tsunami volunteers being hassled by authorities is an urban legend. I know quite a few people both in Khao Lak and in Phuket who where there during and (luckily most of them) also after the tsunami and nobody can confirm this story. Probably made up on a bar stool somewhere and conveniently repeated on the internet as an example of absurd behaviour of Thai authorities and to show how mean they can be! Nonsense.

I know in theory you need a work permit for voluntary work. This law is certainly not implemented to hassle people or discourage foreigners to do voluntary work but it is meant to prevent abuse. Otherwise one could employ foreigners and avoid all the proper procedures and paperwork and taxes by simply stating that he does not get paid.

Not sure about Hua Hin but I have seen many foreigners doing voluntary work in other places in Thailand and they are all left alone. On Koh Lanta for example there is a big shelter for stray dogs and cats that employs dozens of volunteering foreigners at any given time. Never had any problems. No competition with any Thai business.

I once met a foreigner who worked as a translator in a hospital. He did not get paid but they did get him a work permit.

My advice to the OP is try to find a respectable organization that is willing to apply for a work permit for you. Assuming you plan to do the voluntary work long term and not just a few weeks. A work permit is much better than the assurance of your employer that he is well connected, knows all the immigration officials, gets invited to the mayor's birthday every year and plays golf with the police chief regularly. Good for him, means nothing to you.

[aurum]

Many thanks to all - some very helpful advice

[johnnyk]

Roel, good and useful clarification.

[abigail]

Stop with that stupid reply, they needed everything, still giving.,

[dtaai-maai]

I don't understand. Which reply do you think is stupid?
The OP seemed to think he had some very helpful advice.

[margaretcarnes]

Stop with that stupid reply, they needed everything, still giving.,

If you mean johnnyK's comment about the Tsunami volunteers - he is right - there were rumours at the time about farang volunteers getting hassle, and none of us were particularly surprised.
Roel has clarified that.