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Answered2 years ago

Can I work voluntarily in Thailand without payment?

Thailand volunteering rules work permit Non-O Volunteer visa expat guidelines immigration policy unpaid work in Thailand

Orhangazi *******

Orhangazi *******

OP

asked Sep 14, 2024

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Can i work in thailand voluntarily 

With out payment payment

Answer summary

In Thailand, any form of work, including voluntary work, generally requires a work permit. Although some casual or informal volunteer activities may go unchecked, officially, you need an appropriate visa, such as a Non-O Volunteer visa, and a work permit to legally engage in volunteer work. Many expats engage in volunteer work while holding other long-term visas, but strictly speaking, unpaid work is still considered work under Thai law.

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Tj ********

Tj ********

I may be way off but was told that even expats that own a business aren’t allowed to work in their business. Sweeping the floors etc. I know it happens every day without consequence but they are supposed to hire locals

0

Orhangazi *******

Orhangazi *******

OP

thanks

0

Tod *********

Tod *********

with the correct volunteer visa yes

1

Deepak *******

Deepak *******

Why do you want to do so?

0

Henrik *****

Henrik *****

You will need a work permit.

1

John *******

John *******

Can’t work and volunteer work is considered work

0

Veer **********

Veer **********

Sure

0

Angelo ***********

Angelo ***********

Non O Visa based on volunteering. Check your own countries eVisa system. And do not ask on FB ... use google. Basically every answer you got here is wrong or misleading.

1

Ivan *********

Ivan *********

Why would you want to

0

Orhangazi *******

Orhangazi *******

OP

i like to help people

If any need

1

Ivan *********

Ivan *********

@Orhangazi ******

that's really good of you .

1

Glenn **********

Glenn **********

No

0

Krystian ******

Krystian ******

You need volunteer visa

1

Paul *******

Paul *******

Technically, no. In practice, it depends what you're talking about. While most types of official volunteering does require a work permit, helping out with serving dinner at an orphanage for half an hour once shouldn't cause any issues

1

Orhangazi *******

Orhangazi *******

OP

thanks

1

John **********

John **********

Yes you can if the place you intend to work for will support you getting a Non-O Volunteer visa and work permit

1

Joel ********

Joel ********

NO

1

Marco ******

Marco ******

Being a volunteer in Thailand is not like you imagine there are fees to be paid....

1

Sam *********

Sam *********

not officially as you would need a woulounteer visa

1

Tatiana **********

Tatiana **********

Lanta animal wellfare (dog sanctuary) has volunteer positions, some details are on their website

2

Seb ********

Seb ********

He would still need an appropriate visa. The DTV doesn’t permit any kind of work inside Thailand.

2

Angelo ***********

Angelo ***********

It does. It just does not permit "employment" - seriously. Stop giving wrong answers.

1

Orhangazi *******

Orhangazi *******

OP

thanks for all of uou

0

Romain ****

Romain ****

Work permit

1

Gerry ********

Gerry ********

work (even unpaid/voluntary) in Thailand requires a work permit and an appropriate visa. These are two separate things.

In the context of this group, it is definitely NOT possible with a DTV.

4

James *******

James *******

don't think not getting paid twice makes a difference.

1

Orhangazi *******

Orhangazi *******

OP

0

Greg ********

Greg ********

Nope. You need a Work Permit and after previous abuse very hard to obtain. However, having said that many people do help out with animal care and community help. They generally have other long stay visas and are not using charity work to obtain the visa.

4

Toni *******

Toni *******

Last time i checked, you have to pay them to work voluntarily?

2

Orhangazi *******

Orhangazi *******

OP

0

Toni *******

Toni *******

@Orhangazi ******

im not sure, i was googling a year ago when days started to be boring doing nothing :)

0

Orhangazi *******

Orhangazi *******

OP

0

Orhangazi *******

Orhangazi *******

OP

Thanks for your answer

0

Graham *******

Graham *******

I think you need some kind of permit, there has been so much abuse in the past.

1

Paul *******

Paul *******

It's not about abuse as such (why would Thai authorities care if you're not making any money anyway) but how labor regulations and "work" is defined. A secondary reason and probably a principal reason why they're fairly strict about ensuring farang don't volunteer in situations such as natural disasters is face.

Thais don't want to be seen needing help from farang (or any other foreigners). They want to do things themselves.

They do seem like they've got a hang on the flooding situation up in Chiang Rai and Nong Khai. Doesn't seem like they're even talking about farang volunteering there; in fact, they'd probably do everything to sabotage and threaten foreigners who help, especially those without work permits, which is nearly everyone since a work permit is tied to a particular job and you'd need a work permit specifically for volunteering to be allowed to help out.

1

Orhangazi *******

Orhangazi *******

OP

thanks graham

0

Graham *******

Graham *******

@Orhangazi ******

this is the wrong place to ask, try an expat group, they will know for sure.

1

Orhangazi *******

Orhangazi *******

OP

thanks

0

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