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What are the possibilities for obtaining a Long Term Visa in Thailand for an internship in agriculture science or medical cannabis?

Long Term VisaInternshipAgricultureMedical CannabisSMART VisaVisa RegulationsThai LawNetworking in ThailandForeign Employment in Thailand
Oct 19, 2024
2 months ago
Eirik *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Any suggestions for a Long Term Visa internship working in agriculture science and/or medical cannabis ?

I am an American (West Coast) entrepreneur in the regenerative cannabis and Permaculture movements with a university science degree who turned into a soil biology nerd and studied Korean Natural Farming (KNF) for the last 20 years from a laboratory.

In Thailand (on and off) for almost a year now, traveling all around this great country and as an ecologist and agriculturalist, it's too perfect. I don't want to leave, much to learn.

Starting to think about creative ways to learn and share in return for a Long Term Visa.

Medical Cannabis (endocannabinoid system and the entourage effect) is one of my specialties.

There is obviously a market for it….

"Strain Hunters: Thailand Expedition"

[[members only])

I have taken the time to research the modern “political scene” of Thailand specifically with regards to cannabis.

From what I can understand there is a strong desire for this plant to remain medicine and not to be abused in any way.

I agree and it would be a dream to be able to work with that blessed plant in this great country.

Farming, Soil Health and Agroforestry in Thailand would be amazing too.

Any ideas?

Thanks for your time
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TLDR : Answer Summary
An American entrepreneur with expertise in agriculture and medical cannabis seeks suggestions for obtaining a long-term visa in Thailand while engaging in internships related to these fields. The post highlights the author's desire to learn and contribute but also reveals concerns about the legal feasibility of working in agriculture, given restrictions for foreign nationals. Responses emphasize the importance of understanding Thai labor laws, suggest exploring the SMART visa for targeted industries, and encourage networking with Thai professionals to find legitimate opportunities.
CANNABIS/WEED RESOURCES / SERVICES
David **********
I advise making strong "ties with thais" in the industry and working with them. There is a need for foreign expertise in this area. I would.not advise trying to go it alone, even if you somehow manage to succeed without local connections, you will likely be contravening thai law in various ways.

Spend time making friendships with farm.owners, many of whom also have shopfronts. Get to know the employment and visa law well and of course keep an eye on the silly political situation around this as you say you are.
2 months ago
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Anita ********
Is there an area of Thailand where they do more organic type farming, which would enable those who live close to purchase healthy foods?
2 months ago
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Angelo ***********
@Anita *******
 Most is organic. Even if it is not labeled as such.
2 months ago
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Eirik *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Anita *******
not sure how much chemicals are used in the local farms.

hoping none. the smaller farms, I assume cannot afford them.
2 months ago
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Eirik *************
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Sasi ************
Politics….

CBD

There’s a lady, she’s from the north. Studied in The USA and returned to Thailand and having the CBD business.

When it comes to politics and politicians in Thailand not many know the real truth…..

As every single thing in Thailand, there are two divided groups of people, one totally opposed it, another totally supportive. CBD is also the same.
2 months ago
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Eirik *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Sasi ***********
If you can think of her name or her company/farm's name?
2 months ago
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Sasi ************
@Eirik ************
 her name is there , I attached it or if you can see it DM me . I don’t want to get in trouble if it’s not allowed by the admin
2 months ago
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Brandon ************
@Sasi ***********
 not blocked. Not against the rules
2 months ago
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Sasi ************
@Brandon ***********
 Could due to the OP’s internet connection or the device itself. Thanks 🙏
2 months ago
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Eirik *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Sasi ***********
sorry, i didnt see the image you sent til now
2 months ago
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Sasi ************
@Eirik ************
 it’s sent if you can’t see it that probably mean it’s blocked my the admin
2 months ago
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Eirik *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Sasi ***********
i haven't been on FB in a while and the layered format of comments is new to me with FB initially only showing "top comments"
2 months ago
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Eirik *************
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Sasi ************
It’s in Thai, it read Free delivery in The USA. only

Her name is there, if you want to pursue your ideas, contacting her maybe the way to starting it.
@Eirik ************
2 months ago
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Eirik *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Sasi ***********
thank you so much
2 months ago
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Eirik *************
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Mccurry ********
If you can get money to invest we can do a chocolate factory up near Nakhon phanom. We can do cacao wine too. There an excess of beans an in enough to make 30k bars a month plus wine from the fruit. The farmers were sold trees and have no idea what to do. I do as I am expert doing sane in Panama. We could get work permits too.there is a super sophisticated cbd farm up there. Rent is cheap girls are friendly.
2 months ago
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Eirik *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mccurry *******
Grew up on the Hawaiian Islands and our Cacao trees had vanilla beans climbing the trees.

I have access to funds for investing, for a sound business plan with a solid team, which I do not have at this point.
2 months ago
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Eirik *************
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Erik *******
As the Thai government realizes they made a mistake and shuts down the weed industry 🤪
2 months ago
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Cosmic ****************
@Erik ******
 this no true in Thailand from next year can be medical like in California and all coffeshop and farm is allowed to continue but coming the tax and some new rules but for the weed market nothing is finish
2 months ago
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Erik *******
@Cosmic ***************
 it was a joke 🤪 also it could be true anything could happen depending on who is in charge of any government
2 months ago
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Erik *******
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Dover **********
@Erik ******
 ££££££&&&&££££££££🤦🏻‍♂️
2 months ago
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Dover **********
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John *******
Internship does not pay in Thailand for Thai students to receive degrees. U have degree so internship cannot be.
2 months ago
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Munly *******
No not necessarily. He isn't growing food. What he is talking about is more biotech. Look up the SMART visa and see if this can fall under the "targeted industries". I also run the Thailand SMART visa community
2 months ago
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Eirik *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Munly ******
 Looking into it now, thanks
2 months ago
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Brandon ************
You were researching the wrong things when coming up with your ideas.

The very first thing you should have researched is protected jobs and industries in Thailand. The agricultural industry is protected and is reserved for Thai people only. Any jobs related to agriculture are restricted and it would be illegal for you to be involved regardless if it's paid or not. And Thai people are very serious about this and would happily report you for dabbling in something that is reserved for them.
2 months ago
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Duncan **********
@Brandon ***********
 that's incorrect. There are many ways to be involved with agricultural businesses in Thailand and many expat part owned such businesses
2 months ago
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Brandon ************
@Duncan *********
 no restrictions on owning them, but you can't do any agricultural work. Which is what this person seems to be interested in based on their post.
2 months ago
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Gabriel ********
@Brandon ***********
 there are hundreds of western biologists and scientists working legally in the Thai cannabis sector…it’s definitely doable and needed in this burgeoning cannabis climate
2 months ago
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Eirik *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Gabriel *******
and I want to network with them.
2 months ago
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Gabriel ********
@Eirik ************
 well the field is pretty packed now with some of the biggest names and sharpest minds in cannabis which could be a barrier to entry for you without solid contacts…generally those contacts are held closely to the vest so as to not dilute the platform anymore than it already is but I wish u luck
2 months ago
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Duncan **********
@Brandon ***********
 even working within them is possible with certain sectors and specialities. Sure an expat can't get a paid job planting rice etc but his skillset is more specialised
2 months ago
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Eirik *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Duncan *********
 thats perfect because I dont want to work anyway. I dont need to money either, I just want to be helpful and legally here
2 months ago
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Duncan **********
@Eirik ************
 sent you a PM
2 months ago
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Duncan **********
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