volunteering in thailand - Page 5

frogblogger · #41 (**permalink**) 26th June 2009, 03:12 AM

KL I would be interested in knowing more about this specific course in Chiang Mai (arrived back in CM a couple of days ago, by the way...)

KhwaamLap · #42 (**permalink**) 26th June 2009, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frogblogger

KL I would be interested in knowing more about this specific course in Chiang Mai (arrived back in CM a couple of days ago, by the way...)

Its run by a company called Siam Educational Experience (SEE). I went to see the guy who runs it, John Quinn just over a week ago. I've registered for the next course 27th July - I can send you his contant detail if you like (by PM) - or its on their web site too.

JustChris · #43 (**permalink**) 2nd July 2009, 12:21 AM

John Quinn and his wife own it they also own EFL school, they seem to be nice people, honest anyway which is more than I can say for a lot of English schools in the city... well it is all hearsay from people that I know that have taught English but I know John and his wife personally.

RonVancouver · #44 (**permalink**) 2nd July 2009, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladyangela

hello everyone im new to this forum. i wonted to ask if there was any volunteers in thailand about..
me and my husband are going to thailand next as volunteers for teaching and health care in orphanage..we were going to be going with GAB but they dont seem to do what we wont and we would be able to save so much money if we did our own net working than would be able to give this saved money to the orphanages.
so i wonted to ask if there was anyone about who has done there own net working for this kind of volunteering or would it be best to go with gab and let them do all the hard work for us...we are only going for 4 weeks we are not looking to moving to thailand yet..
i would be greatfull for any help...
thanks angela

Hi Angela,

You might try Father Ray's Pattaya Orphanage, very well established, in Pattaya.

Ron

berylj · #45 (**permalink**) 20th December 2009, 03:55 PM

hi
This is my first post on this forum. I am heading to Thailand for a year. I have a Degree and am about to do a Tefl course, so am fairly sure I will be able to get a work permit. My question is: can my boyfriend of 10 years, who doesn't have a degree, can somehow be included in my visa/permit or is there a good visa option for him. Border runs every 30 days would get expensive...

Serendipity2 · #46 (**permalink**) 20th December 2009, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by berylj

hi
This is my first post on this forum. I am heading to Thailand for a year. I have a Degree and am about to do a Tefl course, so am fairly sure I will be able to get a work permit. My question is: can my boyfriend of 10 years, who doesn't have a degree, can somehow be included in my visa/permit or is there a good visa option for him. Border runs every 30 days would get expensive...

berylj,

Welcome to the forum! You should have no troubles with a visa. If you can get your TEFL before you come and begin searching for a teaching job while still in South Africa that would help you get a better job [from my reading on the subject] That said, you would still be able to find a good job once you're here.

TEN YEARS? Marry the man! That would [I think] solve the problem. Maybe not. I don't think his having or not having a degree is relevant BUT the government is going to be concerned about how he is going to support himself.

He could get is a 90 day visa to start while still in South Africa which is pretty easy to get and then, once here, make his visa runs as needed. It isn't that expensive to leave/return to the country - especially if you're based in Bangkok but it is a pain in the rear. Still, there are cheap flights to Kuala Lumpur and you could make a weekend of it. I think there are also direct flights to Penang - both great destinations.

Serendipity2

JustChris · #47 (**permalink**) 20th December 2009, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by berylj

hi
This is my first post on this forum. I am heading to Thailand for a year. I have a Degree and am about to do a Tefl course, so am fairly sure I will be able to get a work permit. My question is: can my boyfriend of 10 years, who doesn't have a degree, can somehow be included in my visa/permit or is there a good visa option for him. Border runs every 30 days would get expensive...

There are no more 30 day border runs they have been reduced to 15 days as I understand which can be quite costly and it gets old fast I would imagine. It is difficult to stay in Thailand legally there is no doubt about that. I think the best bet for your boy friend is to take a TEFL course as well as some of the schools do not require a degree and they will get him a 1 year "B" visa.

frogblogger · #48 (**permalink**) 20th December 2009, 11:14 PM

Yep as JC says there's a thirty day stamp when you first fly in but from then on it's been reduced to 15 days, and if I remember right there's a limit on how many times you can do a run to the same border post. So you really need to find an alternative. He will have to have his own visa, so unless he does as JC suggests and also enrols for a TEFL, you're going to struggle to find a better solution that a 3 month tourist visa, followed by border runs.

Acid_Crow · #49 (**permalink**) 21st December 2009, 09:35 PM

Border runs will effectively be every 14 days, since the last day on one stamp counts as the first day on the other. At the moment the visas, or really the 'visa free days' that are given at the border seems to have no limited amount of times of renewal. But the rules are unclear, and it will be no more clear to the people working at the border.

However, there are many visa options. If he's not granted a 'non-immigrant' visa, you could always get the double entry tourist visa. That will get you 60+30 days, a border run followed by an instant 60+30 days. That will do for almost 6 months.

The +30 days means you have to go to your local immigrations office when your 60 days are up, and get an extension by filling out a form and paying the sum of 1900 Baht.

When the 6 months are up, you will have to travel to the nearest capital (or Penang, but that is uncertain at times) to apply for a new visa. Only single entry (60+30 days) are given at a foreign embassy as far as I know.

Best of luck.

berylj · #50 (**permalink**) 22nd December 2009, 04:21 PM

Thanks for all the advice! This visa thing could be a bit of a headache but Thailand really seems worth it. I've emailed the embassy here in SA but probably too close to Christmas to get a reply. The non Immigrant B visa would be great, and the 60+30 also looks good. If it gets too complicated I might have to swap Clive for a bowl of noodles.