Internships in Thailand: Requirements, Preparation, and Application

A practical guide to interning in Thailand: who qualifies, the education visa you need, what interns can be paid, and how to find programs at multinationals like PwC, Accenture, and Nestle.

Companies in Thailand have been offering internship programs for decades. If you’re studying in Thailand or studying overseas but are interested in Thailand, becoming an intern couldn’t get any easier.

Internship programs are becoming more popular because there are more international students in Thailand and expats in the workforce.

Many major Thai universities have been opening more international programs, resulting in more international students in Thailand.

This article aims to provide all the significant information you need to know for becoming an intern in Thailand, including requirements, visa preparation, compensation, and how to find an internship.

Requirements and Qualifications

In order to land an internship in Thailand, you have to meet visa and education requirements. This section breaks down what kind of qualifications you need to apply for an internship.

• Education Qualification: To apply for an internship in Thailand, you need to be a second-year university student or higher. This differs from company to company. Some companies require students to be in their third year of studies. And some companies also accept first-year university students or graduates.
• General Skills: Aside from that, you need to be computer literate, with an understanding of Microsoft Office, and have fundamental skills for the industry you’re interested in. This includes coding skills for IT companies, financial knowledge for financial companies, and so on. It’s not mandatory to understand Thai, but if you could speak the language, it’s a huge benefit.
• Soft Skills: Other qualifications are geared toward soft skills, such as being a team player, a good communicator, optimistic, and personable.
• Location: Some companies may only accept students who are currently studying in Thailand. Be sure to check this information with them in advance.

Benefits

Although interns in Thailand won’t be paid salaries, there are other, less tangible benefits that come with the job.

Compensation

Under the Working of Foreigners Act B.E. 2521, “work” is defined broadly enough to cover activity done whether or not for wages, so foreign nationals on an education visa are not authorised to earn a salary, and a work permit can apply even to unpaid placements. However, some companies might give you an allowance in the form of accommodation and transportation.

Foreigners who join organized internship programs often say they still get a small stipend for daily travel or meals, even when the placement itself is unpaid.

Work Experience

Being an intern, you can use what you have learned from school and apply it in the workplace. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience learning the different aspects of business and getting hands-on experience. Internships are one of the most important factors for companies hiring new graduates.

And if you perform well, who knows, your host company might even hire you to work in Thailand after graduation. And you won’t have a hard time finding a job like other expats.

Intercultural Skills

Thailand is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. People from all parts of the world have been coming to Thailand for travel and jobs. This gives you a chance to work inside a multinational environment. It’s a rare experience that is hard to find in many parts of the world.

Many foreign interns also say Bangkok is easy to settle into, because English is widely spoken in international offices.

Traveling

Bangkok has been one of the most visited cities in the world for various reasons. Prices are cheap. Food tastes great. Facilities are great. Beaches are top-notch. Tourist attractions are plenty. Doing an internship in Thailand gives you an opportunity to travel around the country to find out why Thailand is a great place for traveling. And you would love it for sure.

Industries

Hospitality and Tourism is one of the biggest industries in Thailand due to the country being a top travel destination. Interns have opportunities to work in the industry’s various departments, including customer service, food and beverage, sales and marketing, housekeeping, and administration.

Finance is another big industry. Interns here have many opportunities, ranging from implementing the treasury systems, assisting with general ledger accounts, handling taxation, and dealing directly with clients. There are also endless chances in business development and marketing in Thailand, where interns can conduct business strategies, analyze market statuses, manage projects, and create marketing products.

With the increasing number of digital nomads, internships in the IT field from start-up companies and multinational corporations also exist.

Applying for Internships

It is a big challenge for international students to find an internship program in Thailand.

If you are currently studying abroad, the chances of interning in Thailand are low. It’s not only because a few positions are available, but it’s also because most local companies prefer not to accept foreign interns from abroad.

So, you should look at multinational companies instead.

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ExxonMobil regularly accepts international interns. And internship opportunities are available for major accounting firms such as PwC, Forvis Mazars, and Accenture.

But these multinational companies have a long selection procedure with a limited application period. You should closely follow their websites and follow their instructions. There are also many students applying for these companies. The competition is high.

Internship Agencies

Since it’s quite difficult to find an internship program on your own, another option is to apply through agencies. They are willing to help you find a company based on your requirements, arrange an interview, and assist with your visa and relocation.

They may also offer a networking event, allowing you to make connections with students from all over the world.

Job Sites

Although popular job sites in Thailand like JobsDB regularly post ads for interns, they are mostly for Thais.

As mentioned in our finding work in Thailand article, you can set up job alerts there and get email updates whenever intern positions become available.

The bad part is that most of the ads don’t mention whether they are open to foreigners or not. You need to contact the company and find out for yourself. If you are currently studying here, check out the university notification boards or ask your teachers. There might be open positions listed there.

You’d have a better chance applying for an internship with multinational companies. They accept foreign students and have positions available in many departments. One of the most popular choices is Nestle Thailand, with available positions in sales, marketing, IT, and human resources.

Visa for Doing an Internship in Thailand

Unless you are already a student in Thailand, you need to arrange a visa to do an internship. While many look to get an education visa, its internship purpose is scoped to placements at government or international organisations. Private-company internships more commonly run through a Non-Immigrant B visa plus a work permit. For those eligible, the education visa is valid for three months and can be extended for one year, depending on your internship or school program.

Do Interns in Thailand Need a Work Permit?

Under the Working of Foreigners Act, “work” is legally defined to cover any working activity whether or not it is done for wages. This means that you generally need a work permit even for unpaid placements.

Visa advisers generally guide that internships tied to your degree via an education visa are treated differently from company placements arranged outside your studies (which commonly need a Non-Immigrant B visa and work permit). Note that this curricular distinction is presented as general guidance rather than settled statute.

Internship vs Volunteering

If you are exploring volunteering in Thailand rather than interning, the same fundamental principles apply. Both fall under the legal definition of work and therefore require proper authorisation.

Certain nationalities need to apply for the visa at the Thai embassies in their home countries.

Due to the frequent changes in Thai immigration regulations, it is best to contact your nearest Thai embassy to find out your options. Alternatively, the internship agent should help you with the visa.

Here’s a list of required documents you need to apply for an education visa for your internship:

• passport or travel document with no less than six months validity
• visa application form completely filled out
• two 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm color photos with a white or blue background, taken within the past 6 months
• letter of acceptance from the relevant academic institute or organization

Although the visa can be issued in a few days, you should prepare for at least two weeks for this process. This is due to the notorious long queue at the Thai embassies.

Preparation

Preparing for your internship program in Thailand can be time-consuming if you don’t know where to begin.

This section shows you how to prepare your resume and transcripts, prepare for interviews, and review the times of the year when internships are available. Knowing these things ahead of time will greatly cut back the time you spend looking for an internship program in Thailand.

Resume

Resumes are also important when applying for internships in Thailand. It’s the first thing companies see and they use it to pick you out above other candidates. To prepare your resume, list all necessary information in chronological order, including high school and university education, extracurricular activities, work experiences, if any, and skills.

Indeed.com gives you a good idea of how to write a resume for internship programs. In addition, there are many resume templates available online.

Transcripts

In addition to resumes, college transcripts are commonly required, especially for large multinational corporations. Because of the number of candidates, they want to make sure they accept the best ones. And seeing your grades on a transcript is one way for corporations to vet potential interns.

Interviews

Similar to applying for a job, an interview is still required for internship programs. The questions are mostly related to your educational background, activities outside the classroom, and attitude toward work. Sometimes the interviewer might give you some scenario problems and ask you to find solutions. As long as you can answer questions with a positive attitude, you should not have a problem with the interview.

Duration

Internship programs in Thailand normally last for three months during summer break from March to May. It can last four months for fourth-year students. However, some companies may also open their internship program at other times of the year. So, you can contact them individually to find out.

Time Preparation

It takes about three months to start an internship program. It should take at least a month to find a company with intern positions, a month for the interview process, and another month for getting your visa. It’s going to be longer for multinational companies. Usually, their application period starts and ends five to six months out from the start date of the internship.

Now, on to You

Thailand is no longer only a traveling destination. Expats from all around the world are now coming here to live, work, and live out their retirements. This includes a number of younger generations in which huge numbers of international students are currently studying in the country.

Doing an internship in a country with a multitude of nationalities like Thailand would give you a once-in-a-lifetime experience that cannot be found anywhere else. Whether you are interning or eventually working in Thailand full-time, the experience is highly rewarding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do interns in Thailand need a work permit?

It depends on the placement. Under the Working of Foreigners Act, “work” is defined broadly enough to cover unpaid activity, so a work permit can be required even if you are not being paid. Internships tied to your degree and run through an education visa are treated differently from company placements arranged outside your studies, so check your specific setup before assuming you are exempt.

What visa do I need to intern in Thailand?

If your internship is with a government or international organisation and is part of your studies, the Non-Immigrant ED visa is the standard route. Company placements, especially ones not tied to academic credit, more commonly go through a Non-Immigrant B visa alongside a work permit.

Can interns in Thailand get paid a salary?

Generally no. Foreign nationals on an education visa are not authorised to receive wages, and the definition of “work” under Thai law applies whether or not payment is involved. Some hosts offer non-salary allowances such as accommodation or transport, which is different from paying a wage.

Do I need to already be a student in Thailand to intern there?

No, but it helps. If you are not enrolled at a Thai institution, you will need to arrange the relevant visa from outside the country, and many local companies prefer applicants already studying in Thailand. Multinationals with structured intern programs are generally more open to overseas applicants.

How long can an internship in Thailand last?

Most structured programs run around three months, aligned with the university summer break, though some extend to four. Visa validity is separate: an ED visa starts at 90 days and can be extended toward a further one-year stay if you remain eligible.

Which companies in Thailand accept foreign interns?

Multinationals with structured graduate and intern pipelines are the most realistic targets, since most purely local firms prefer applicants already in the country. Application windows tend to be limited and competitive, so following a company’s own careers page is more reliable than general job boards.

Can I do an unpaid internship without any visa paperwork?

No. Even unpaid, Thai law’s broad definition of “work” means visa and often work-permit rules still apply. Treating an unpaid placement as visa-exempt is a common misconception worth checking with your host before you travel, since the consequences of working without authorisation fall on you.

Sources Cited

• Royal Thai Embassy Non-Immigrant ED visa page
• Working of Foreigners Act B.E. 2521
• Ministry of Labour Thailand

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