Currently, the eight PIV volunteers speak, between them, Thai, English, German, Dutch, Swedish and Bahasa Indonesia.
But now, with the growing number of Russians and people from former Soviet states coming to spend lengthy amounts of time on the island or wanting to get extensions to tourist visas, the PIV need help.
“Russians are quite good with [filling up] forms; more problems arise with French and Italians,” Andy Clark, coordinator of the group, explained. “But it would be nice to have someone who can speak Russian and answer any questions.”
A successful candidatemust:
- Have a long-stay visa (business, education, retirement etc);
- Speak English and one more foreign language (Thai is not required);
- Have no criminal record
- Be educated enough to work with the Immigration office;
- Be over 18 years old.
Upon completion of a five-step training course the applicant will join the volunteers in the Phuket Immigration Police office in Phuket Town.
Normally working hours are from 9am to 3:30pm, at least two days a week.
Regular duties include helping foreigners to fill in the forms and checking they have all the necessary paperwork to support an application.
The volunteers are not paid for their work and also have to buy their own uniforms. But according to Andy Clark that is what volunteer work is all about.
“We don’t ask for any reward. Our reward is just when one person says ‘Thank you,’” Mr Clark said.
The PIV are unique to Phuket. Not even Bangkok has a similar service.
Anyone interested in the new post should call Andy on 090 170 7360 or email piv.information@gmail.com.