volunteering in thailand

[gleeglee]

Originally Posted by Serendipity2

gleeglee,

You've offered to help someone with a visa and that's great.

One of the benefits of having a forum is to share information. I know absolutely nothing about getting a visa to do volunteer work or even regular work in Thailand should someone need help. That said, there are many others who can help someone get a visa to do volunteer work besides your organization. That was my point.

I trust you're not saying that your charity is the only one and that there are NO other groups or other organizations in all of Thailand that can also provide Dumbo [or me] with guidance? I've read the mission statement of your charity and, with all due respect, you're very new to the charity business. To offer assistance IS commendable but perhaps just providing guidance to organizations that can help Dumbo would be better.

I'm not here questioning your integrity but suggesting you offer generalized guidance would be another approach.

Seredity i dont have to justify anything to you advise was given by someone who knows the law in regards to this matter, there are hundreds of foundations in Thailand who can provide this service. I did point the man to another site that are experts onthis matter
But you say you dont know about getting people a visa! Then why are you offering advise when in your own words you dont know about this matter.
You make me laugh new this new that, My wife as ownded a school in Bangkok for 10 years, we have just opened a new school in Pattaya and a joint venture in Buriram. The Foundation was set up in the memory of my wife mother who died in the tsunami so yes the foundation is about 2 years old.
Why does something new alarm you. I think you just like the sound of your own voice an armchair expert about everything but informed about nothing.

[Serendipity2]

Originally Posted by gleeglee

Seredity i dont have to justify anything to you advise was given by someone who knows the law in regards to this matter, there are hundreds of foundations in Thailand who can provide this service. I did point the man to another site that are experts onthis matter
But you say you dont know about getting people a visa! Then why are you offering advise when in your own words you dont know about this matter.
You make me laugh new this new that, My wife as ownded a school in Bangkok for 10 years, we have just opened a new school in Pattaya and a joint venture in Buriram. The Foundation was set up in the memory of my wife mother who died in the tsunami so yes the foundation is about 2 years old.
Why does something new alarm you. I think you just like the sound of your own voice an armchair expert about everything but informed about nothing.

gleeglee,

Anyone coming on to this forum can post what they like but when they encourage others to send copies of their passports to an unknown quantity [you] then I will advise against doing that. Hopefully, you can see the merits of not sending your passport [or a copy thereof] to someone who claims they will help you. Why so defensive?

If you ARE a legitimate charity you will [or should] be very open to what you're doing. If not then perhaps your charity is more about buying another 7.8 acres and less about doing God's work in teaching children. Now I don't know for certain but I also thought that every child in Thailand gets a rudimentary education. Is this not true? I've even visited hill tribes [many hill tribes] and every one I've visited had a school house. Your site claims only those who can afford to send their children to school get educated. Hopefully each child does learn to read and write and I will be stunned if this is not the case. Your charity states the opposite.

By the way, you teach English and state that you're from England so why is your spelling and punctuation so poor? For example, my Nom de Guerre [Nom de Plume] is Serendipity2 not Seredity. "Owned" is not spelled ownded and normal convention to use an apostrophe in "dont". If you're going to hold yourself out as a professional at least try to emulate one.

Had you offered Dumbo more than one option from the beginning then we wouldn't be exchanging these posts. Certainly, give advice and offer assistance but also point out that there are many other sources. It was my opinion that you offered your wife's help and inferred that there was no other game in town. By your own admission there are many others who can help him. The object is clarity.

Serendipity2

[Serendipity2]

Originally Posted by gleeglee

Seredity i dont have to justify anything to you advise was given by someone who knows the law in regards to this matter, there are hundreds of foundations in Thailand who can provide this service. I did point the man to another site that are experts onthis matter
But you say you dont know about getting people a visa! Then why are you offering advise when in your own words you dont know about this matter.
You make me laugh new this new that, My wife as ownded a school in Bangkok for 10 years, we have just opened a new school in Pattaya and a joint venture in Buriram. The Foundation was set up in the memory of my wife mother who died in the tsunami so yes the foundation is about 2 years old.
Why does something new alarm you. I think you just like the sound of your own voice an armchair expert about everything but informed about nothing.

gleeglee,

I confess that I love to read. I also will confess there is MUCH I don't know - including the education of children in Thailand.

According to your website children do not get an education in Thailand unless their parents can afford to pay. Your charity asks donors to give your charity money so that your schools can provide this education. Being a curious fellow I did a bit of research. According to Wikipedia your statement is incorrect. Kindly read what Wikipedia says regarding mandatory/compulsory education for children in Thailand and advise us what is not correct.

"Education in Thailand is provided mainly by the Thai government through the Ministry of Education from pre-school to senior high school. A free basic education of twelve years is guaranteed by the constitution, and a minimum of nine years' school attendance is mandatory.

Formal education consists of at least twelve years of basic education, and higher education. Basic education is divided into six years of primary education and six years of secondary education, the latter being further divided into three years of lower- and upper-secondary levels. Kindergarten levels of pre-primary education, also part of the basic education level, spans 2-3 years depending on the locale, and is variably provided. Non-formal education is also supported by the state. Independent schools contribute significantly to the general education infrastructure."

Please advise if Wikipedia's site is incorrect. Thanks in advance.

Serendipity2

[Dumbo]

Originally Posted by gleeglee

Seredity i dont have to justify anything to you advise was given by someone who knows the law in regards to this matter, there are hundreds of foundations in Thailand who can provide this service. I did point the man to another site that are experts onthis matter
But you say you dont know about getting people a visa! Then why are you offering advise when in your own words you dont know about this matter.
You make me laugh new this new that, My wife as ownded a school in Bangkok for 10 years, we have just opened a new school in Pattaya and a joint venture in Buriram. The Foundation was set up in the memory of my wife mother who died in the tsunami so yes the foundation is about 2 years old.
Why does something new alarm you. I think you just like the sound of your own voice an armchair expert about everything but informed about nothing.

gleeglee, Perhaps you might give me some information about the Buriram joint venture as I will be in Surin from the 25th July 09 for three weeks. The small school I wish to volunteer at is just out of Surin. Look foreward to your reply. Dumbo.

[gleeglee]

Most Schools in Thailand are fee paying school only the government schools are free usually very underfunded and no teaching material, Schools take money off the parents to pay for the English program . So once again your opinions are wrong.

I never stated that i was a teacher once again your wrong and offering true advise does not depend on the quality of writing skills which i admit is poor, but i am a very good engineer.

The school system in Thailand is fee paying so your wrong again (In October this year all education in Thailand will be free) So the English program will suffer as the schools cannot take money of parents to pay for this. In a pilot scheme that has been running schools involved stopped the english program to save school funds.

Your opinions about Thailand are wrong and your knowledge is limited in the matters talking about schools and education in Thailand .
Why are you having a go at a foundation? what kind of person are you?
Children who lost parents in the Tsunami and are living with relations are not getting educated as the family cannot afford the school fees, which at the cheapest schools is 30,000 thai baht per term 2 terms in the year. The average daily wage for labour is 250-300 baht per day. A teachers salary will be 7-10,000 baht per month with a masters degree this will go up to 13-15,000 baht per month. A policeman 7,000 baht per month so as you can see your opinions about the education system in Thailand was not only wrong it was on a different planet.

[frogblogger]

It is certainly a fact that a decent education up until now depended on the family's ability to pay both official fees, and unofficial backhanders to teachers. I've been paying these backhanders for long enough now S2 to be able to confirm the reality of the situation, not the theoretical idealised official one.

I would be very grateful if hostilities ceased and we got on with what this forum is all about, providing information and helping out where we can.

So far I've seen no evidence of a commercial agenda from gleeglee, as as long as it remains that way there is no reason to be overly suspicious that I can see. Should gleeglee wish to promote his wife's language school at some point, then that option is open to him by taking up Premium membership.

In the meantime, discussions about visa requirements are fine.

[gleeglee]

Originally Posted by frogblogger

It is certainly a fact that a decent education up until now depended on the family's ability to pay both official fees, and unofficial backhanders to teachers. I've been paying these backhanders for long enough now S2 to be able to confirm the reality of the situation, not the theoretical idealised official one.

I would be very grateful if hostilities ceased and we got on with what this forum is all about, providing information and helping out where we can.

So far I've seen no evidence of a commercial agenda from gleeglee, as as long as it remains that way there is no reason to be overly suspicious that I can see. Should gleeglee wish to promote his wife's language school at some point, then that option is open to him by taking up Premium membership.

In the meantime, discussions about visa requirements are fine.

Frogblogger i appologise to you and your readers but S2 was out of order questioning the validity of a legal foundation in Thailand that took 2 years of hardwork to setup and get the licence to help poor children in Thailand. Something that is dear to my heart.
I gave good advise on a subject i know a lot about, he got personnel and questioned my integrity and even suggested i had a hidden agenda.
This works both ways i offered to help but i also know nothing about the man who i offered to help,and when applying for any type of visa or government document as you well know will require the applicants passport and photos

so i appologise and will not respond to s2 again

[KhwaamLap]

Hi all, I am about to take a TEFL course as part of joining just such a volunteer project (I mentioned it in another thread, so at the risk of being thought an official advertiser for them I'll refrain from posting a link here too). On passing the TEFL (fully accredited) I can take up a volunteer post for 4 hours plus a week - this is mostly temple schools etc that are for the very poor - where parents can not afford even state school costs - and orphanages. This gets me a Work Permit (Voluteer) and, if I needed one (which I don't as I have one) a Yr NoN-Im 'O' Visa (note this is an 'O' not a 'B').
This is renewable each byear for the cost of the visa and wp (about 5K Baht on current Immigration charges). There are many such foundations out there - this one is in Chiang Mai..

[JustChris]

Originally Posted by KhwaamLap

Hi all, I am about to take a TEFL course as part of joining just such a volunteer project (I mentioned it in another thread, so at the risk of being thought an official advertiser for them I'll refrain from posting a link here too). On passing the TEFL (fully accredited) I can take up a volunteer post for 4 hours plus a week - this is mostly temple schools etc that are for the very poor - where parents can not afford even state school costs - and orphanages. This gets me a Work Permit (Voluteer) and, if I needed one (which I don't as I have one) a Yr NoN-Im 'O' Visa (note this is an 'O' not a 'B').
This is renewable each byear for the cost of the visa and wp (about 5K Baht on current Immigration charges). There are many such foundations out there - this one is in Chiang Mai..

I was under the impression you needed to work more hours a week for a work permit, I was also under the impression the fee for a work permit was based on your salary. As I recall I pay about 3,500B per year to the labor office for my work permit and I pay immigration 1900B per year for my non-imm B visa which I also was under the impression you needed a non-imm B to get a work permit. I qualify for an O visa but I have always had non-imm B for working purposes and I work for the Thai government so....

[KhwaamLap]

Originally Posted by JustChris

I was under the impression you needed to work more hours a week for a work permit, I was also under the impression the fee for a work permit was based on your salary. As I recall I pay about 3,500B per year to the labor office for my work permit and I pay immigration 1900B per year for my non-imm B visa which I also was under the impression you needed a non-imm B to get a work permit. I qualify for an O visa but I have always had non-imm B for working purposes and I work for the Thai government so....

Yes, but this is chalk and cheese. A voluteer WP does NOT allow wages to be earned - therefore it can't be based on salary. The one I will get (for this voluteer job) is based on a Non-Imm 'O' (not 'B') there is no ability to work for money legally with it. There is a fixed charge for the two - non 'O'and volunteer WP as set my Thai Immigration. Its not my course, I don't run it, I only profit in so far as I am a prospective student. I am here already on a Non-Imm 'O' based on marriage as I earn my money overseas and not here, so I do not need a WP for salary.