What do I need to know about volunteering in Thailand, especially in schools or for the elderly?

Chang ******

You need volunteers visa to do anything . If immigration find out , they send you back to u r country

Kool *******

You legally need a work permit, and a number of people do volunteer work without a work permit. Realize that if anyone files a complaint, and people do all the time, at that point the police will investigate and deal with it. If you are not legal they will process you for deportation.

15 hours ago

Henrik *****

Remember even volunteers need a work permit.

Bill **********

I live in upcountry, Issan; very rural. That said, might visit with village chief to see if you can 'volunteer' without causing 'issues'.

Ruud ******************

@Bill *********

without causing issues; it’s immigration or the police,

Bill **********

@Ruud *****************

Greatly depends on what the "volunteer" things are. Like taking a car load of locals to visit a Temple and back. Or partly sponsoring a 4.0 student from a very poor family thru college. Providing transportation to a villager needing a round trip visit to a larger hospital 30 minutes away.

RobD****

@Ruud *****************

yes but who tells the immigration or police you are working/volunteering.....it's the locals who will dob you in , so yes talking to the chief of the village could combat a report from happening

J ******************

@Ruud *****************

immigration is police

Ruud ******************

@J *****************

you have immigration, immigration police, police and tourist police at least; it’s not the same; for example if you are in overstay, you can better deal with immigration than with the police; read the topics about this

Reply to

Ruud ******************

Baz *********

Generally even volunteers require a work permit in Thailand..

You would need to talk to each school individually to check.

Brandon ************

I'm sure plenty of people volunteer. But you need to be aware that the ONLY way to legally volunteer is to be on a visa that is not work restricted and to have a work permit. This means you're on a work visa or a volunteer visa. Otherwise you're breaking the law and if reported or caught, you'll be deported.

Is that likely, not really. But just want to make sure you are aware. There are lots of people that still volunteer anyways.

Michelle *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

thankyou for your responses Brandon... they are very thoughtful and balanced...

Michelle *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

we will be on a retirement visa... just want to help in the community.. do you think they will query??

We love to be involved in this at home.. like to give back..

John ********

@Michelle ********

you will NOT BE ALLOWED TO ON YOUR RETIREMENT VISA to volunteer I have tried to and was unable to provide any help

Steve *********

@Michelle ********

it's nice to see farrang with a good heart and self satisfaction. Good luck 🤞

Brandon ************

@Michelle ********

I'm not sure who "they" is. But most Thai people have no idea what is required for foreigners to work and don't care. It's not them that would be getting in trouble so they don't research it.