Welfare
Excerpts from the Guide are provided for your information. You need to refer to the Bangkok Guide 17th Edition for complete details.
This chapter in the Bangkok Guide contains detailed information on these topics:
| Expatriate group welfare activities | Sponsorship and donations |
| Volunteer opportunities | Shops, fairs and fund raising events |
| Animal welfare and conservation |
Like all developing countries, there is a wide disparity of wealth in Thailand. Some groups in society struggle to access basic needs and rely upon support from both local and international welfare organisations. One of the most rewarding and humbling things you can do during your time here is to become involved in welfare/volunteer work. Volunteering is a wonderful way to learn more about Thai culture and society whilst giving something back to your host country. It is also an opportunity to gain new skills and meet interesting people.
Whether you have experience working in welfare or simply a desire to help, your time and effort, no matter how large or small, will be appreciated and welcomed. The range of voluntary opportunities available is extremely varied; visiting and caring for children living in institutions such as homes and orphanages, helping distribute milk powder in the slums, working in an AIDS hospice or teaching English to children or adults from underprivileged backgrounds. If you are not in a position to volunteer your time, you can still support Thailand 's welfare organisations through donations and by supporting the many organisations in Bangkok that raise money for charity.
This chapter provides details of some of the welfare activities and volunteer opportunities available and is up to date at the time of printing. Many of the organizations listed have comprehensive websites which provide detailed information about current and past project, donations, volunteering and sponsorship opportunities. Another source of information is the ‘We Care’ series in the Outlook section of the Bangkok Post each fortnight. www.bangkokpost.net
Expatriate group welfare activities
Bangkok has a range of organisations that actively support charities through the funds raised at events for their members.
Many of the foreign chambers of commerce are involved in welfare activities. For information on their welfare work, contact the chambers directly. The majority of women's groups support welfare and charitable activities; some of these groups are listed below. There is a comprehensive list of women's groups in the Bangkok Guide.
American Women's Club of Thailand (AWC)
72/1 Sukhumvit Soi 38
T: 0-2712-3380, 0-2712-3381, 0-2712-3919
Open: 0800-1600 Monday to Friday.
Australian-New Zealand Women's Group (ANZWG)
C/o Australian Embassy, 37 Sathorn Tai (South) Road, Bangkok.
T: 0-2344-6469
Bangkok Mothers & Babies International (BAMBI)
PO Box 1078, Suanphlu, Bangkok, 10121. T: 0-2319-9530
British Women's Group (BWG)
Community Liaison Officer, British Embassy, Ploenchit
T: 0-2305-8333
Club Canada Thailand (CCT)
Administration and Consular section, Canadian Embassy
T: 0-2636-0540 ext 3340
International Support Group Foundation (ISGF)
Level L, 18 Ambassador Palace, Sukhumvit Soi 11, Bangkok 10110.
T: 0-2651-2055.
International Women's Club of Thailand (IWC)
Club House, Unit 3, 16 Sukhumvit Soi 34
T: 0-2258-5336
Open: 1000-1400 Mon, Wed, Fri
Pattaya International Ladies Club (PILC)
PO Box 262, Pattaya Post, Chonburi 20260.
For information on welfare activities, contact Helle Rantsen,
T: 0-3888-0765. M: 0-1636-8165.
E: helle_rantsen@access.inet.co.th
www.123hjemmeside.dk/charitywork-thailand
Rayong Ladies Circle (RLC)
PO Box 40, Ban Chang Post Office, Rayong.
Contact: Helle Ransten, T: 0-3888-0765. M: 0-1636-8165.
E: helle_rantsen@access.inet.co.th
www.123hjemmeside.dk/charitywork-thailand
Samutprakarn International Ladies Club (SILC)
Contact: Karen Cohen, T: 0-2740-3031. E: gcohen@truemail.co.th
Soroptimists International
Contact: Pansy Lim, E: pansylim@yahoo.com
Sponsorship & donations
Milk powder programs
The listed welfare organisations supply milk powder as a nutritional supplement in a variety of situations, including to children of poor mothers, where the mother must return to work to provide for her family and cannot breast-feed; and children who are HIV positive or whose mothers are HIV positive. Donations of milk powder or money to purchase formula are gratefully accepted.
Volunteer opportunities
Some well-known homes and organisations which welcome volunteers are listed in the Bangkok Guide. If you are unable to volunteer your time and would like to help in other ways, toys in good condition, clothing, milk powder, financial and other donations are always appreciated.
Shops, fairs & fund-raising events
The Bangkok Guide includes a list of some shops and events, which support various welfare projects by directing proceeds or profit to charities. See the Shopping and Buy Thai chapters also.
Animal welfare & conservation
Animal welfare and conservation in Thailand, as in other parts of the world, are areas of rapid change and constant evolution. If you are interested in volunteering your services or contributing to projects, internet research is recommended for the latest news and information. The website for The Wild Animal Rescue Foundation includes links to many other organisations involved in conservation activities.www.warthai.org
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Updates & Feedback
Have an update? Please tell us. Updates and new information are important to the Bangkok Guide. If you find a service, activity or location you feel should be included in the next Guide or, which can be listed as an update here, please contact us at:guide@anzwg-bangkok.org
Bangkok Guide 17th edition.
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