Preamble – Character and Purpose of Participation

Volunt2Thai – Volunteer to Thailand (V2T) is in Thailand primarily a non-profit child support and education project, community project and cultural centre in rural Northeast Thailand (Isan). The project was established to provide children in rural and economically less developed communities with better educational and development opportunities and thereby contribute to their personal opportunities and a better future.

V2T works with local schools, teachers, families and communities. The children and their education are at the heart of the project. Activities include additional learning opportunities, language support, sports, creative activities, digital education, cultural exchange, and community and sustainable development projects. The project is financed primarily through donations, supporters and contributions associated with the participation of international project participants. V2T is non-profit and operates independently of commercial travel, hotel or placement companies. The participation of international people is intended to create a mutual benefit – a “Win-Win” approach:

• Children and local communities receive additional educational, intercultural and development opportunities as well as access to people, experiences and perspectives from other countries.
• Project participants have the opportunity to contribute meaningfully, gain practical experience, experience another culture, develop personal and social skills, learn Thai and gain direct insight into rural life in Thailand.

The purpose of participation is therefore not to provide labour for V2T, but rather mutual enrichment through education, cultural exchange and community participation. Children remain at the centre of the project. The participation of international project participants supports this objective but does not replace the responsibility of local schools and teachers or the responsibility of Thai authorities and communities for the education system.

The term “Volunteer” is used on the V2T website as an internationally understandable description of participation in the programme. Within these Terms and Conditions, participating persons may also be referred to as Cultural Exchange Participants, Program Participants or Participants. Participation takes place within a cultural, community-based and non-formal educational programme. Participants live during their stay as guests within the local environment and take part in cultural, community and non-formal educational activities.

Possible activities may include communication and language practice with children, sports, art, music, computer activities, educational games, Summer School, agriculture, Food Forest activities and other cultural or community activities. Participation does not constitute an employment relationship with V2T. Participants are neither employees nor representatives or authorised agents of V2T, schools or other institutions. Participants receive no remuneration, salary or wages for their participation.

The actual legal permissibility of any activity and any required entry, residence, work or other permits are governed by the laws and regulations applicable at the relevant time. V2T does not provide individual legal, visa or immigration advice.

1. Participation in the V2T Programme

Participation in the V2T programme is voluntary and forms part of Volunt2Thai's non-profit child support, education, community and cultural exchange programme. The most important objective of V2T is to support children and their education. V2T seeks to provide children in rural communities with additional opportunities and to support them in developing knowledge, skills, confidence and perspectives for a better future.

International project participants contribute to this objective within their abilities by participating in suitable activities and sharing their time, skills, experience and cultural perspectives with children and communities.

At the same time, participation is intended to provide participants with personal and educational benefits. Participants may gain practical experience, develop intercultural skills, learn Thai, experience local ways of life and gain experiences that may be valuable for their personal, academic or professional development.

V2T therefore understands this relationship as a mutual educational and cultural exchange – a Win-Win approach in which both children and communities and the project participants should benefit. Participation is nevertheless not paid employment or paid work performed for V2T or a school. Participants do not replace Thai teachers and do not assume formal educational or professional responsibility. The nature, scope, location and timing of activities may change due to local circumstances, the school calendar, weather, available facilities, staffing, safety considerations or other organisational circumstances. There is therefore no entitlement to:

• a particular school;
• a particular activity;
• a particular number of teaching or activity hours;
• a particular age group;
• a particular daily schedule;
• a particular project assignment;

V2T cannot guarantee that every activity will take place directly or to the same extent with children. Actual participation depends on the needs of the schools and communities and on the possibilities and abilities of the individual participant.

2. Entry, Visa, Residence and Work Authorisation

Participants in the Volunt2Thai programme stay in Thailand as tourists and as participants in the V2T programme and, with a valid tourist visa or other valid tourist permission to stay, take part in the cultural, educational, community and other programme activities offered or organised by V2T. Each participant is solely responsible for complying with the Thai immigration, visa and residence regulations applicable to their entry and stay, and for obtaining and maintaining any required permissions at their own responsibility.

Participation in the V2T programme does not create any employment, work or service relationship. Participants receive no remuneration, salary or wages from V2T. The project management likewise receives no salary, wages, remuneration or other financial compensation for its services. V2T is responsible exclusively for the programme activities organised or offered by V2T. Any activities or undertakings of a participant outside the V2T programme are outside the responsibility and control of V2T.

V2T does not provide individual legal, immigration, visa or work-permit advice. Any information provided regarding visas, entry or residence does not constitute individual legal advice. The terms “Volunteer”, “Cultural Exchange Participant” and “Programme Participant” describe participation in the V2T programme only and do not create an employment or work relationship or constitute authorisation to undertake activities outside the V2T programme. V2T complies with the applicable Thai laws and regulations in relation to its own programme activities and continuously reviews its activities to ensure that they remain within the applicable legal framework. By accepting these Terms & Conditions, the participant confirms that they have read, understood and accepted these provisions.

3. Participation Contribution and Financing of the Stay

V2T is a non-profit and non-commercially oriented child support, education and community project. The work of V2T in Thailand is made possible primarily through donations, supporters and contributions associated with participation in the community programme.

The participation contribution is primarily intended to cover the participant's proportionate costs of accommodation and living during the stay and the organisational and infrastructure requirements of the community programme.

The participation contribution is not a donation and is not payment for the participant's work or for work performed by the host/project management.

It does not constitute remuneration for activities performed by a participant or by the project management within the programme. V2T uses available resources in accordance with its non-profit purpose to maintain and develop the project, including educational and community activities.

The regular participation contribution is currently:

€139 per person per week

The corresponding amount for four weeks is:

€556 per person

(The participation contribution may be adjusted where necessary to reflect general economic developments)

The participation contribution generally includes accommodation, meals, drinking water, infrastructure, agreed project transportation, and organisational and practical support provided as part of the participant’s stay. Project resources also contribute to maintaining and carrying out Volunt2Thai’s non-profit activities for children and local communities. V2T does not guarantee that any specific percentage of the participation contribution will be allocated directly to a particular school, child, or project.

 

Specific child-support measures, maintenance, procurement of materials and equipment, construction and educational activities are primarily financed through donations.

 

4. Payment and Advance Payments

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, a deposit or advance payment may be required before arrival. A place in the programme may be considered confirmed only after the required payment has been received.

Advance payments may be used by V2T to prepare accommodation, purchase food and supplies, organise transportation and make other arrangements necessary for the participant's stay. Where a specific payment schedule has been agreed, the participant is responsible for making payments by the agreed deadlines.

5. Arrival, Departure and Local Transportation

Participants are responsible for arranging their own international and domestic travel unless otherwise expressly agreed. V2T may assist with local transportation connected with arrival, departure or project activities. Where transportation is arranged, participants may be asked to contribute to fuel or direct transportation costs. Transportation provided by V2T or persons connected with the project is not intended to constitute a commercial taxi, chauffeur or passenger transport service. Arrival and departure times may need to be coordinated with the availability of project staff and local conditions.

6. Cancellation and Early Departure

If a participant cancels their participation or leaves the programme early, V2T may retain amounts reasonably spent or irrevocably committed in connection with the participant's stay, to the extent permitted by applicable law. Where practical, V2T may offer a transfer of the participation period to another date, subject to availability and agreement. There is no automatic entitlement to a refund for unused accommodation, meals, transportation, programme preparation or other services where costs have already been incurred or committed, subject always to any mandatory statutory rights. Participants are strongly advised to obtain appropriate travel cancellation and interruption insurance.

7. Insurance and Personal Responsibility

Participants are responsible for arranging adequate insurance for the entire duration of their stay. Travel insurance including appropriate health, accident and personal liability coverage is strongly recommended. Depending on the participant's circumstances, coverage for medical treatment, repatriation, evacuation, cancellation, interruption and baggage may also be appropriate. Participants acknowledge that Volunt2Thai is located in a rural area and that participation may involve ordinary travel, transport, outdoor, sports, agricultural, construction-related or other community-project risks. Participants are responsible for acting prudently and following reasonable safety instructions.

8. Personal Belongings

Participants are responsible for their own personal belongings, valuables, documents, money, electronic devices and other property. V2T does not assume responsibility for loss, theft or damage to personal belongings except where liability is imposed by applicable law. Participants should take reasonable precautions to protect their belongings.

9. Minimum Age, Conduct and Requirements

Participants should generally be at least 18 years of age. Participation by minors may only take place in exceptional circumstances and requires prior written agreement and appropriate arrangements concerning parental or legal guardian responsibility.

Participants must:

• comply with Thai law;
• comply with reasonable V2T rules and safety instructions;
• respect schools, teachers, children, families and local communities;
• respect cultural and personal boundaries;
• provide accurate information relevant to participation;
• behave responsibly and respectfully.

V2T may refuse or discontinue participation where this is reasonably necessary for legal, organisational, safety or child-protection reasons.

10. Alcohol, Drugs and Illegal Activities

Illegal drugs, unlawful activities, violence, threats, harassment and behaviour that places children, participants, staff or community members at risk are strictly prohibited. Participants must comply with Thai laws concerning alcohol, drugs and other regulated substances. Serious violations may result in immediate termination of participation.

11. Child Protection

The protection, dignity, privacy and well-being of children are fundamental principles of Volunt2Thai. Participants must follow all applicable child-protection rules and instructions issued by V2T and cooperating schools. Participants must maintain appropriate professional and personal boundaries with children. No participant may engage in behaviour that could reasonably place a child at risk of physical, emotional, sexual or other harm.

Participants must not make inappropriate private arrangements with children or use their participation to obtain personal, financial or other improper benefits from children or families. Any concerns regarding the safety or welfare of a child must be reported to V2T immediately. V2T may immediately restrict or terminate participation where necessary to protect a child.

12. Schools and Activities – Purpose of Child Support

Cooperation with local schools primarily serves the purpose of providing children with additional educational and development opportunities.

Possible activities may include:

• English and language communication;
• sports;
• arts and crafts;
• music;
• computer activities;
• educational games;
• Summer School;
• cultural exchange;
• community projects;
• agriculture;
• Food Forest activities;
• other non-formal educational and community activities.

V2T follows the principle that international project participants support and complement local teachers but do not replace them. Children must not be presented as “recipients of charity” or displayed for publicity purposes. Their dignity, privacy and personal rights must always be respected.

The long-term purpose of the educational work is to provide children with knowledge, skills, experiences and opportunities that may help them improve their own opportunities for a better future. Specific activities depend on the actual needs of the respective schools and communities.

13. Accommodation and V2T Campus

The V2T Campus is a community project and cultural centre and is not a hotel, resort or commercial accommodation business. Accommodation provided as part of the programme forms part of the community stay. Facilities and accommodation may be simple and may differ from commercial hotel standards. Participants are expected to respect shared facilities, household rules, the local environment and other people staying or working at the campus.

14. Thai Language Learning and Cultural Exchange

Participants may have opportunities to learn and practise Thai during their stay. Thai language learning is part of the cultural exchange concept and may include informal lessons, conversation practice and practical use of Thai in everyday situations and at schools. The availability, frequency and scope of language learning may depend on the participant's length of stay, activities and local circumstances. No specific number of lessons, examination, qualification or certificate is guaranteed unless expressly agreed in writing.

15. Mutual Benefit – Win-Win Approach

V2T understands international participation expressly as a mutual exchange. Participation should not be based on a one-sided concept of “helping”.

Children and communities may benefit through:

• additional language practice;
• meeting people from other countries;
• new cultural perspectives;
• additional sports, arts, music and educational activities;
• support with suitable community projects;
• motivation and new learning impulses.

Project participants may benefit through:

• direct intercultural experiences;
• insight into rural life and the education system in Thailand;
• practical experience with people and communities;
• opportunities to learn and apply the Thai language;
• personal and social development;
• new cultural and personal perspectives;
• experiences which, depending on the individual circumstances, may also be relevant to studies, vocational training or professional development.

V2T understands this connection as Win-Win: education and better future opportunities for children while at the same time providing a valuable personal and intercultural experience for project participants. The support of children and their education remains the central non-profit purpose of the project.

16. Photos, Videos and Use of Images for Volunt2Thai

By accepting these General Terms and Conditions of Participation and participating in a V2T programme, the participant expressly agrees that photographs, video recordings and other visual or audiovisual material showing the participant may be taken and used by Volunt2Thai for documentation, communication, public relations and marketing purposes. This consent forms part of the participant's acceptance of these General Terms and Conditions and applies to photographs and video recordings made during the participant's stay or in connection with Volunt2Thai activities, programmes, events, school visits, community activities and life at the V2T Campus. Volunt2Thai may use such photographs, videos and recordings, including the participant's image, for example:

• on the Volunt2Thai website;
• on Volunt2Thai social-media channels;
• in brochures, flyers and other publications;
• in presentations and information materials;
• in online and offline public relations;
• in promotional and marketing materials relating to Volunt2Thai and its programmes.

The participant acknowledges and agrees that such material may remain publicly accessible after the participant has completed the programme and that Volunt2Thai may continue to use material that has already been published or produced in accordance with this consent. This consent is granted without entitlement to payment, royalties or other compensation. The consent applies only to the participant's image and participation in Volunt2Thai-related material. It does not grant Volunt2Thai the right to use the participant's image in a misleading, defamatory or otherwise unlawful manner.

The participant also agrees that Volunt2Thai may identify the participant by name in connection with photographs, videos or testimonials where this is appropriate for documenting or presenting the participant's participation in the programme. Separate consent or legally required permission shall be obtained where photographs, videos or other personal data concerning children or other persons who are not participants are to be published and such consent or permission is required by applicable law.

The participant acknowledges that Volunt2Thai is a non-profit community project and cultural centre and that photographs and videos are an important means of documenting its work, informing the public about the project, presenting the experience of participants and supporting the continued visibility and development of the project. The processing and use of personal data connected with photographs, videos and other personal information shall additionally be subject to the applicable data-protection laws and Volunt2Thai's Privacy Policy.

17. Termination by V2T

V2T may terminate participation where a participant:

• seriously breaches these Terms and Conditions;
• violates child-protection requirements;
• engages in illegal activities;
• uses illegal drugs;
• engages in violence, threats or serious harassment;
• creates a serious safety risk;
• deliberately causes significant property damage;
• repeatedly ignores reasonable safety or organisational instructions;
• provides materially false information relevant to participation.

Where there is an immediate risk to children, participants, staff, community members or the project, V2T may terminate participation immediately. In such circumstances, no refund is automatically due to the participant to the extent permitted by applicable law. The participant remains responsible for arranging and paying for their return travel unless applicable law provides otherwise.

18. Force Majeure

V2T shall not be responsible for delays, cancellations, interruptions or changes caused by circumstances beyond its reasonable control. Such circumstances may include natural disasters, extreme weather, epidemics, pandemics, governmental measures, political unrest, strikes, transport disruption, war, security risks, school closures or other events that make participation impossible, unsafe or materially impractical. V2T will make reasonable efforts to communicate significant changes and, where practical, seek an alternative arrangement.

19. Participation and Internship Confirmations

Where factually justified, V2T may issue confirmation of participation, cultural exchange, internship-related activities or other programme involvement. Any such document will reflect the participant's actual activities and period of participation. The issuing of a confirmation does not guarantee recognition by a university, school, employer, government authority or other institution. Where relevant, the Austrian association Volunt2Thai Österreich – Verein zur Förderung von Freiwilligenarbeit may be responsible for issuing or signing documents relating to educational institutions or internships. Participants remain responsible for checking in advance whether a particular institution will recognise the planned participation or documentation.

20. Data Protection

V2T processes personal data only to the extent necessary for the organisation, communication, accommodation, transportation, safety, child protection and implementation of the programme, and in accordance with applicable legal requirements. Where appropriate and legally permitted, necessary information may be shared with schools, authorities, accommodation or transportation providers, or other parties involved in carrying out the programme.

21. Liability

V2T will use reasonable care in organising and operating the programme.

Participants acknowledge that participation in a rural community programme and travel in Thailand may involve risks that cannot always be eliminated. To the extent permitted by applicable law, V2T is not responsible for loss, injury, damage or interruption resulting from:

• the participant's own misconduct;
• failure to follow reasonable safety instructions;
• violation of Thai law;
• unauthorised activities;
• inadequate or missing insurance;
• loss or damage to personal belongings where V2T is not legally responsible;
• circumstances outside V2T's reasonable control.

Nothing in these Terms and Conditions excludes or limits liability where such exclusion or limitation is prohibited by applicable law.

Nothing in these Terms and Conditions limits mandatory statutory rights or liability that cannot legally be excluded or limited.

22. Applicable Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by the laws of the Kingdom of Thailand, unless mandatory statutory provisions provide otherwise. Any disputes shall be subject to the courts and authorities having jurisdiction under Thai law, unless mandatory statutory provisions provide otherwise.

23. Acceptance of the Terms and Conditions

By applying for, confirming or participating in a V2T programme, the participant confirms that they:

• have read and understood these General Terms and Conditions;
• accept the non-profit and community-based nature of V2T;
• understand that V2T is not a hotel, resort, employer or commercial volunteer-placement company;
• understand that the term “Volunteer” is used as an internationally understandable programme description;
• understand that participation is primarily a cultural, community and educational exchange;
• accept responsibility for their own entry, residence, visa and work-authorisation requirements;
• agree to comply with Thai law and applicable V2T rules;
• accept the Child Protection requirements;
• acknowledge the importance of adequate insurance;
• understand the risks associated with participation and rural life in Thailand;
• understand that no particular school, activity, number of hours or programme assignment is guaranteed;
• acknowledge the applicable statutory rights and limitations;
• understand that children and their education are the central non-profit purpose of the project;
• understand and accept the Win-Win principle of mutual educational and cultural exchange;
• and expressly accept the provisions of Section 16 concerning the taking and use of photographs, videos and other visual material showing the participant for Volunt2Thai documentation, communication, public relations and marketing purposes.

Acceptance of these Terms and Conditions constitutes the participant's agreement to the provisions described above.