Voluntary work in Thailand

[Takiap]

Absolutely correct, but I think the general meaning of this thread has more to do with it being difficult/illegal in the first place. While the average Thai has no problem with it, the country's laws give a very different impression.

[bradford]

Its a case of ''Do Gooders'' sod off. And quite rightly so. Keep your nose out of other peoples business. Your only after claiming expenses. Go bunning hugging back home.

[GLCQuantum]

Yep, you're right Takiep. The people in power aren't the average Thai and they make things very difficult sometimes. Like any country the powerful minority can cause some problems. Generally speaking I've never had a problem doing some volunteer work - granted it was only teaching some orphans English for a short spell. It will more often than not be overlooked but you do have to be careful all the same.

[pharvey]

Its a case of ''Do Gooders'' sod off. And quite rightly so. Keep your nose out of other peoples business. Your only after claiming expenses. Go bunning hugging back home.

TW@T.....

[GLCQuantum]

Didn't want to be hooked into that one Pharvey but.....

[STEVE G]

Your only after claiming expenses.

That is a bizarrely unlikely scenario in Thailand.

[margaretcarnes]

Absolutely correct, but I think the general meaning of this thread has more to do with it being difficult/illegal in the first place. While the average Thai has no problem with it, the country's laws give a very different impression.

Correct Takiap. I think the distinction between the average Thai view and the law is a valid one too. Even a tourist visa quite clearly states 'work prohibited' which strictly applied would preclude all work - as we have said many times on here - even doing your own garden etc. could be dodgy. And if someone has a grudge it's likely to be an easy way to drop a farang in it. (Actually yes we've seen that happen in the past with devastating effect.)

But some useful links on here, and (rabbit) food for thought!

[margaretcarnes]

Another thought (dangerous) but when did Work Permit laws come in?
I can't imagine that the first wave of farang missionaries and doctors were bothered with such legalities. Although of course the doctors were probably welcomed, while missionaries maybe just imposed themselves!
Moving to more recent times even - the likes of Jim Thompson and the Scottish chap who founded the BP - were they allowed to work with no problem in the mid 1900's?
So what changed things - and when? Just curious and I've really no idea - but if I had to make a guess perhaps the 1960's following the Thompson case?

[dtaai-maai]

I think with most countries like Thailand it was probably reciprocal. Once the major western countries started introducing visa and work permit requirements to control the pressure to emigrate that was building up in the 50s and 60s, smaller countries felt they would 'lose face' if they didn't do the same in reverse. There aren't too many logical reasons why Pakistan or Nigeria, for example (and speaking from memory), require tourists to get a visa - I doubt there are too many European overstayers!

[alexdavid]

“The Little Big Project” is a Volunteer Tourism competition funded by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), to inspire worldwide travelers to take a Volunteer vacation in Thailand.

This will give you an opportunity to do something meaningful while on holiday, You will be amazed how little can make such a BIG difference, and to have a life changing experience for yourself and make a better world for others.

[dtaai-maai]

More information would be useful, together with details of your own involvement or experience.

[Roel]

http://www.thelittlebigprojectthailand.com/ Seems legit.

[Bristolian]

http://www.pattayamail.com/travel/the-t ... rism-25113
Thursday, 18 April 2013
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has launched a global digital marketing campaign to promote Voluntourism

By TAT

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has launched a global digital marketing campaign to promote Voluntourism, which affords travelers the opportunity to have a life-changing adventure: A Two-weeks Volunteer Vacation in Thailand!!
Called “THE LITTLE BIG PROJECT”, the campaign is designed to tap into a growing industry trend known as Volunteer Tourism, or Voluntourism – travellers seeking “A Purposeful Vacation” that goes well beyond more than just having fun during a holiday abroad. Thousands of active travelers from all over the world are looking to make a big difference through doing little things such as preserving the environment, sharing their skills or contributing to local communities.

Mr. Pongsathorn Kessamli, Deputy Governor for Policy and Planning of Tourism Authority of Thailand, notes that, “Volunteer Tourism, or Voluntourism, is now very popular with youth travelers. It is also gaining popularity retirees who are still fit and active, with time on their hands. They want to make the world a better place, and seek to do something meaningful when they travel.”amongst many

The mission of THE LITTLE BIG PROJECT is to help others, but it is also a competition: one overseas visitor and one Thai will team up for 2 weeks to work on anything from helping Save the Elephants at a nature park in Chiang Mai, to a community development project for Hill Tribe Children, to Marine Conservation in Koh Talu. Anyone interested in participating should create a 1-minute English-language digital video to introduce themselves and briefly discuss why they’re uniquely qualified to partake in the campaign in Thailand. Applications will be accepted through May 20th, 2013, and the 10 best video submissions will be selected – 5 from Thai citizens and 5 from overseas registrants.

An online registration form can be found at www.TheLittleBigProjectThailand.com where entrants can provide a link to their YouTube-hosted video.

They will also have the chance to share their philanthropy efforts with a world-wide audience by making blog posts, uploading photos and videos, and telling their story through social media. Prizes will be awarded, too!:
The team with the most votes for their blog will win $5,000 USD for donation to their project for continued funding, plus a hotel voucher valued at $500 USD for their personal enjoyment

The visiting competitor whose video receives the most views will win an Apple gift card worth $1,000.
Said Mr. Pongsathorn, “The TAT believes THE LITTLE BIG PROJECT will give people looking to do something different on vacation an opportunity to have a life-changing adventure. Voluntourism gives this niche market that opportunity. The goal is to connect these tourists to Thais at the local, community level, which will bond them much more intimately to Thailand than standard tour packages.

In addition to the competition, TAT is forging partnerships with key voluntourism agencies such as www.responsibletravel.com, www.volunteeringsolutions.com, www.planmygapyear.co.uk, www.openmindprojects.org, www.universalgiving.org, www.kayavolunteer.com, and www.gapyearthailand.org.uk. They ­­­will help TAT promote Voluntourism in Thailand by offering up to 50 programs for voluntourists, as well as special hotel deals offered by www.hotelthailand.com until July 31st, 2013.

[buksida]

Not interested in the competition but one of the featured projects is very close to me (I can see it from my house) so have emailed them direct to offer some help.

[Bristolian]

Not interested in the competition but one of the featured projects is very close to me (I can see it from my house) so have emailed them direct to offer some help.

Let us know how you get on and if work permits are an issue.