volunteering in thailand

ladyangela · #1 (**permalink**) 9th June 2009, 10:47 PM

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

JustChris · #2 (**permalink**) 9th June 2009, 11:18 PM

My wife and I (and children) have served as a host family for years for volunteers that don't want to pay $1,500 to sleep in the mud and eat gruel. We are connected with many foundations and organizations here in Chiang Mai including an orphanage. I recently volunteered for Habitat for Humanity right here where I live and they asked me to pay $1,650 to volunteer, I fail to see the logic in this as I have a house, car and my own hammer! So, I know what you are talking about. Let me know what your plans are and what you would like to do and I would be happy to help you.

frogblogger · #3 (**permalink**) 10th June 2009, 06:25 AM

A lot of these organisations will take money both from voluntary donations as well as from volunteer workers.

There are official listings in the UK - not sure about the US - that detail the total income of the agency alongside the percentage of that income that is spent on administration. The lower the percentage, the more it is likely to be a bona fide organisation AND efficient at its work. I always check on this before other donating to a voluntary outfit, or volunteering to work on its behalf.

A personal issue for me - of course it doesn't affect everyone the same way - is whether the agency is non-affiliated. There are plenty of aid agencies that have a separate, usually religious agenda. For some of these organisations it could be said that this religious agenda is the overriding one.

JC - As a Chiang Mai-based expat, do you know an American called Steve, about 65, all his hair, tall, long-term resident, owns a guest house, involved with an orphanage (can't remember which one)?

JustChris · #4 (**permalink**) 10th June 2009, 10:56 PM

No I don't know anyone called Steve in Chiang Mai. I do agree with you about the volunteer groups having agendas and affiliations, I don't care if the person running an organization has a religious affiliation as long as it isn't being pushed on anyone which generally tends to be the case. there are a lot of groups here in Chiang Mai though that aren't anything, just caring and helpful.

King Silk · #5 (**permalink**) 12th June 2009, 03:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustChris

No I don't know anyone called Steve in Chiang Mai. I do agree with you about the volunteer groups having agendas and affiliations, I don't care if the person running an organization has a religious affiliation as long as it isn't being pushed on anyone which generally tends to be the case. there are a lot of groups here in Chiang Mai though that aren't anything, just caring and helpful.

Well done JC You Sir are what Londoners call 'A Diamond!"

Serendipity2 · #6 (**permalink**) 12th June 2009, 03:44 AM

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

ladyangela,

Given the short time you're going to be there perhaps just volunteering to work/help at one of the hill tribes would be a fabulous experience for you. They would probably give you free room and board [it won't be the Hilton or Marriot but the food would be good] and you could get to know some genuine people without an agenda. Tumbleweeds posted a URL of an organization that did something along those lines but when you get to Thailand go to the office of the Minister of Culture [a guess] and I'm sure they would be most helpful in directing you. Using the Internet, you should be able to connect with them now and find out whom to contact before your trip. Give the Internet a try!

Serendipity2

frogblogger · #7 (**permalink**) 12th June 2009, 04:20 AM

If you are interested L.A., I have the email address of an organisation working with hill tribe villages on the Chiang Mai side of Chiang Rai in North Thailand. They are looking for volunteers, especially those able to help with teaching English or Computer Studies.

Dumbo · #8 (**permalink**) 13th June 2009, 07:55 AM

Ist visa or permit required to do volunteer work?

frogblogger · #9 (**permalink**) 13th June 2009, 08:21 AM

Yes - you need a volunteer work visa. Either obtained before leaving your home country, or via an extension.

Dumbo · #10 (**permalink**) 13th June 2009, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frogblogger

Yes - you need a volunteer work visa. Either obtained before leaving your home country, or via an extension.

I need some advice as I don't know the best to ago about this. I have a position as a volunteer teaching english at a small country school near Surin if I am able to do this legally. Can it be done without becoming attached to some organisation? My girlfriend is a teacher at the school.
and her boss is very happy for me to help. But don't want to be on the wrong side of the law. Any help please