How to Apply for an Internship in Thailand: A Step-by-Step Guide
Quick answer: To apply for an internship in Thailand, choose your field, city and dates, apply, have a free call with a career advisor, pay the deposit, then wait about 8 weeks for placement and a company interview. You must be 18 or over and able to work in English. The right visa depends on your passport, and we confirm it with you before you pay the deposit. Finding your placement takes about 8 weeks from your deposit, so apply with a start date at least 12 weeks away. If your start date is less than 12 weeks away, you need AIPx Fast Track.
Why choose Thailand for an internship?
Thailand suits students and young professionals for a few simple reasons.
- Bangkok is a business hub. It is the center of the country's economy, with companies in marketing, business development, supply chain and real estate. See our guide to Thailand's top industries.
- Phuket is strong for hospitality. If you want hotels, resorts and tourism on your CV, the south is a good place to look.
- Living costs are lower than in many Asian hubs. Food and local transport are affordable compared with cities like Singapore or Tokyo.
- Our team is based in Bangkok. If you need help, someone is close by.
You also get daily life in a very welcoming country, with great food and easy travel around Southeast Asia on weekends. Read more on our Thailand internship page.
Who can apply?
You do not need to be a student. Students, recent graduates and young professionals can all apply. The basics are:
- You are 18 or over.
- You can work in English. Host companies work in English.
- You have a valid passport and can travel for the length of your program.
You do not need to speak Thai. A few polite words will still help you at work and in daily life.
Which fields can you intern in?
Popular fields in Bangkok and Phuket include:
- Marketing
- Business development
- Hospitality
- Supply chain
- Real estate
- Environmental science
AIP looks for the best match between your studies, your skills and the host companies available. Be open about your goals and flexible on details. If we accept you and can't place you, you get your full deposit back.
Step-by-step: how to apply
- Choose your field, city and dates. Pick Bangkok or Phuket, the field you want, and a start date. Programs run from 6 to 24 weeks.
- Apply. Fill in the application on our site.
- Free call with a career advisor. We talk with you about your goals, skills and the type of company that fits you.
- Pay the $500 deposit. For deposit and refund details, see our FAQ. This starts your placement search.
- Placement. Finding your placement takes about 8 weeks from the deposit.
- Company interview. The host company meets you and decides whether you are a good fit.
- Confirmation. Once the company says yes, your placement is confirmed.
- Visa paperwork. We help you with the paperwork for the visa we confirmed with you.
- Arrival. You fly to Thailand and start your internship.
You can see the whole process on our how it works page.
Visa: what you need to know
The right visa for an internship in Thailand depends on your passport and your situation.
You do not need to work this out alone. We confirm the right one with you before you pay the deposit. Visa assistance is included in every program. Thai visa rules change from time to time, so always check the latest requirements on the official website of the Thai embassy or consulate that serves your country.
When to apply, including summer
Placement takes about 8 weeks from your deposit, and you also need time for the visa and for booking flights. Finding your placement takes about 8 weeks from your deposit, so apply with a start date at least 12 weeks away. If your start date is less than 12 weeks away, you need AIPx Fast Track.
For a summer internship, plan early. If you want to start in June, apply by around March. Many students want summer dates, so earlier is safer. If your timing is tight, tell us on your free call and we will explain what is realistic.
What to prepare
- Your CV. Keep it to one or two pages. Include only what is relevant to the field you want.
- A short video or cover note, if asked. Say who you are, what you study and what you want to learn.
- Your passport. Check the entry and visa requirements on official sources. As a rule, make sure your passport is valid well beyond the end of your stay.
- Your dates and goals. Know when you can start, how long you can stay and what you want from the internship.
It also helps to read about Thai workplace manners before you arrive. Our guide to business etiquette in Thailand covers introductions and first impressions.
Costs and budgeting
Your costs fall into a few groups: the program fee, flights, and daily living. Most international internships in Thailand are unpaid, so plan to cover food, local transport and personal spending yourself. Check the current program fees on our pricing page.
Housing
Housing depends on the program you choose.
- Traveler: Standard housing (furnished, with your own bedroom or a shared one with an intern of the same gender, depending on the destination) and pre-arrival orientation, and we arrange your airport pickup, whatever time you land.
- Pioneer: Premium housing (a private apartment to yourself, with your own bedroom and bathroom), a preloaded transport card and SIM, first-day drop-off and tours, and we arrange your airport pickup, whatever time you land.
- Explorer: we find your internship and support you throughout; you choose where to live.
We vet every Traveler and Pioneer place. It is within about an hour of your office by public transport, usually close to a BTS or MRT station. Every program includes visa assistance and 24/7 emergency support.
FAQs
Do I need to be a student to apply for an internship in Thailand?
No. Students, recent graduates and young professionals can all apply. You need to be 18 or over for an in-person internship, and able to work in English.
Which visa do I need for an internship in Thailand?
It depends on your passport and how long you stay. We confirm the right visa route with you before you pay the deposit. Visa assistance is included in every program.
How long does it take to get placed?
Placement takes about 8 weeks from your deposit. Finding your placement takes about 8 weeks from your deposit, so apply with a start date at least 12 weeks away. If your start date is less than 12 weeks away, you need AIPx Fast Track. For a June start, apply by around March.
Are internships in Thailand paid?
Most international internships in Thailand are unpaid. Budget for food, local transport and personal spending on top of your program fee.
Is housing included?
It depends on the program. Traveler includes Standard housing, furnished, with your own bedroom or a shared one with an intern of the same gender, depending on the destination. Pioneer includes Premium housing, a private apartment to yourself, with your own bedroom and bathroom. Both are usually close to a BTS or MRT station. With Explorer we find your internship and support you throughout; you choose where to live.
Ready to start? Read our Thailand internship page and choose your field and dates.
Thinking about interning in Asia?
Browse destinations, then apply. It's free to apply, and you only pay a deposit once we accept you.
Daniele Cosentino
