SUNOVA Internship

We are and make SUNOVA SURFBOARDS. Part of The Board Factory Co., Ltd.

In Thailand we run our own surfboard factory where we live, love, design, create, manufacture surfboards and other surf related products in a LEAN manufacturing or TPS (Toyota Production System) environment.

Our factory is app. 2km from the next reef break to be able to test boards and have fun with them.  We are a small company that has no intentions to become huge, but great. We concentrate ONLY on quality and never on quantity. Between the 3 owners we have more than 50 years experience in the surf industry and app. 30 years in the Automotive sector.

FILL IN OUR CONTACT FORM INCLUDING A COVER LETTER AND YOUR CV.

Contact form | OPEN HERE


surf board detail
surf board detail

For who is our internship?

You are motivated and open minded? You desire to learn new things and are not afraid of the unknown? You want to work where other people make holidays? You are willing to learn how to surf and want to help us make SUNOVA Surfboards? If you can relate to all these questions with yes, have a look at our projects!

In a factory like ours, we have different projects to offer:

 Design projects

Graphic Design (work about web page details, brochure creation, flyers, ads, etc./Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, SKETCH App, etc.).

Video content creating and editing (creation of social media clips, working and assisting to create surf movies/video editor).

Photo content (product photography and editing, action photo editing for use in other projects).

 Social Media projects

Prepare and update social media content for our sites.

Plan and communicate with our team riders and film teams to create new content.

Update our customers of what's going on and what we are doing (on FB, IG and our web page).

 Marketing project

Knowledge of Kickstarter or other crowdfunding system -> creation of a Kickstarter project!

 Manufacturing projects

We are working in a LEAN manufacturing environment and are constantly creating new production lines, cells.

Manufacturing improvement and setup (with LEAN manufacturing or TPS (Toyota Production System) knowledge.

Continuous improvement.

Kaizen projects.

5S project.

 IT projects

Work on our IT and design with our team a full on internal and external IT solution, including hardware, software, emails and servers.

Help us create an internal Database for our ERP system that combines all areas of the company from CRM to manufacturing, customer service and commercial parts.

Networking knowledge, Apple Mac knowhow (we use mostly macs).

Database knowledge best usage of Filemaker, Access or other database programs.

 There was nothing for you?

No Problem! Tell us what you would like to do in our factory and maybe we can make a project out of that!

Lenght of stay should be minimum 2-3 months up to 6 months of an internship!

Phone call will be scheduled if every company requirements are confirmed from them.



Working where other make holidays!

 A great team!

You will get in touch with our local workers and so you do not only learn how to work at our factory but also to live the Thai culture.

 Work where others make holidays!

Our factory is based in Khao Lak, Thailand (click here to see where it is in google maps). It is one of the most stunning areas in Thailand to have a holiday. Not yet as crowded as for example Phuket, Samui or other Tourism areas, yet it's is a nice little community just 1.5 hours north of Phuket Airport.

 Surfing!

The factory is a mere 2.5km away from the beach and although Thailand is not generally known for its surfing culture or even waves, this little area is a bit of an outliner.

 This is not a paid internship!

There will be no salary for this internship, but we will cover your accommodation (at least the main part depending on your accommodation and your wishes). Anyway you will receive a certificate about your internship.

This is what you can expect:

You will work in our factory together with the locals.

We want you to be part of our team! Don't be shy.

Our co-workes are open minded, friendly and will look after you, going together to lunch or dinner is not uncommon.

On the weekends you are free to spend your time as you want to. Relaxing on the beach, going surfing, weekend trips to another city, island or sightseeing.

IF there are waves you surf...

Procedure

 Pick a project!

Search trough our projects and see what will fit the best for you! 

 Use our contact form to apply.

Fill in our contact form including a cover letter and your CV.

Contact form | OPEN HERE

 We will get in touch.

After we received your filled in application form, we will get in touch with you to make an appointment for a phone call. Therefore, please check also your spam folder! We want to talk to you to get to know you a little bit more and find out what you expect and what projects we will work on together.

 If it fits for both sites:

If we agree on an internship after the phone call, pick the exactly dates of your internship and let the adventure begin! (Take a look at our checklist for important information.)

Checklist

 Passport

Your passport must be still valid for at least 6 or 18 months (depending on your length of stay) when you first arrive in Thailand.

For the visa application, you already need your passport and to get a passport can take up to 6 weeks if you don't pay the express fee.

 Flights

Book your flight to Phuket and we will make sure to get you picked up there. You need the flight confirmation for your visa application.

 Visa

For getting a Visa you have to consider that you have to hand in all the required documents whether via post or personally at your embassy. E-Mail all the documents is not an option, so keep in mind that this procedure could take more than two weeks if handed in via post!!

What you need to do:

  • go on your local embassy website of Thailand
  • print the formula for the visa application
  • fill in: therefore you already need a return flight because both (arrival and departure) flight numbers are required
  • you need a valid passport with two empty pages and at least six months validity or 18 months if seeking one year visa, so make sure you have one!
  • you need a recent biometric photograph (4x6cm) for the application
  • you have to choose a ▢ Non-immigrant Visa ED (student) or B (if not)
  • furthermore you need an invitation letter. Don`t worry you will get this sheet of paper from us
  • a copy of your bankbook with minimum balance of €500 on account
  • proof of current or previous education, if any
  • proof of current employment
  • the Visa fee in cash

You will get a Visa for max. 90 days - after this 3 months you have two options:

You have to leave the country after the 90 days (at border), but you can re-enter and get another 30 days (only twice in one year).

Extend your visa at an immigration office for another 30 days.

For further information please visit the website of your local Thai Embassy.

 International health insurance

A normal travel insurance will probably not cover a longer stay for a couple of months. Make sure to get an extra insurance for your internship (e.g. at ADAC). We will not pay the costs.

 Vaccinations

Make sure to go early enough to the doctors to get the necessary vaccinations (for some of them you might have to go several times and they need some time to be effective).

 Debit Card

You can get Thai Baht at an ATM in Thailand. But ask your Bank in advance if you can withdraw cash in Thailand with your debit card.

 International Driver License

The most european driver licenses are not valid in Thailand. They don't take it too strict if you don't have an international and you just have to pay around 500 Baht if you get caught but to be sure apply for an international drivers licenses at your local traffic office in advance if you want to rent a scooter (the costs should be around 15 Euro for an international driver license).

 Sunscreen

The sun is strong! You will need to protect your skin and take care of after sun products and lotions. Especially while surfing you should protect your face.

 Boardshorts and lycra

Don't forget, we are a surf company! Not being in the water will not be an option. A shirt (lycra) for surfing to cover your skin from the sun would be useful.

Good to know:

What about my accommodation?

We will organize an accommodation for you. Up to a certain amount we will cover the costs for your accommodation. We will rent one in agreement with you, so we will find something you like and eventually you will have to pay a part per month for the accommodation then too.

What do I have to bring for my accommodation?

You probably won't have to bring anything except of towels and your own stuff. You might have to get your own bedsheets and dishes. But don't worry, you can buy them in Thailand too and previous interns have also left some stuff for the next ones.

Do I need to bring my own laptop?

If you have a laptop definitely bring it with you! If you don't let us know beforehand and we'll find a solution. 

Is there a dress code for working?

There is no dress code. Outside it is always warm, but in the office we have air-condition so there it is comfortable cool and depending on your place in the office you might bring something to cover your arms (it can be quite cold too).

Do I need an adapter for charging my phone or laptop?

The electricity in Thailand is 220 volts. 50 cycles/sec. They accommodate both flat prongs (like in the U.S. and Japan) and round prongs (like much of Europe and Asia). So german devices won't need an adapter for example.

Is it better to bring money from home (Baht)?

You can get money in Thailand at the ATMs. Just make sure that your debit card is free for other countries. If you have problems with withdrawing cash with your card, do not choose an amount but select the option "withdraw" and then the system will ask you which kind of account you have, there you go and select "savings" and the problem should be solved. 

Bringing money e.g. Euro to Thailand and exchange it here would be the best option, because if you get the money from the ATM you have to pay 220 Baht fee + a bad exchange rate. The exchange rates at the exchange office are better than the ones you will get at the ATM.

What kind of medicine should I bring with me?

You should definitely bring the medications you use in your normal day life like something for headaches etc. Besides of that it won't be wrong to have something for your stomach if you are not used to the Thai kitchen. Also don't forget something for cooling mosquito bites.

Where can I wash my clothes?

There are many laundry services around. For a full basket with mixed cloths it will cost around 30 Baht (0,90€). Better don't bring designer clothes, or if so it's best to hand wash them ;)

How is the weather?

It is hot all year long with temperatures somewhat around 30 degree celsius. From May to November we have rain season with many cloudy days and sporadic heavy rain showers almost everyday, very high air humidity, but also lots of sunshine. From November to April is the dry season with almost no rain at all. The air humidity is lower during that time. Please take a lot of sun protection with you.

In which language do we communicate?

You will live in a tourist hotspot so english gets you through your daily life pretty well when it comes to common talks such as in restaurants, shops etc... In our factory english is the work language. If you want to connect and exchange yourself with locals it would be adventageous to learn some basic thai vocabulary.


Check out what it means to be an Intern at SUNOVA!

OUR LEGENDS | HAVE A LOOK WHAT PAST EXPERIENCES LOOKED LIKE

2023

Anna Haug | September - January 2023/24 (Manufacturing)

Punn Noppawan | June - August 2023 (Marketing)

Idriss Nemouchi | May - July 2023 (Manufacturing)

2022

Michel Pramann | October - February 2022/23 (Manufacturing)

Michelle Marker |  October - February 2022/23 (Branding / Creative Design)

Yatima Rodsuwan | June - August 2022 (Manufacturing)

Esther Boisson | June - August 2022 (Marketing)

Kanokon Sornnoei | December 2021 - April 2022 (Marketing)

Krittaporn Pituckumpol | December 2021 - April 2022 (Marketing)

2021

Palaloid Suksanong | September - December 2021 (Marketing / Creative Design)

Vhaikee Hufanda September - December 2021 (Marketing / Creative Design)

Ann Siriwatpattra | June - September 2021 (Manufacturing)

Jui Sunlakawit | June - September 2021 (Manufacturing)

Muai Chantavorn | June - September 2021 (Manufacturing)

Jean Letourneur | May - Juli 2021 (Materials / Process Support) 

Ansgar Göppert | April - December 2021 (Process Flow / Wood Technology)

2020

Tobias Menk | February - August 2020 (LEAN / Manufacturing)

Marco Kornke | February - July ( Design / Film / Photo)

Tobias Merkle | March - July (Social Media / Marketing / Audio Video)

Elina Miller | October - March 2019/20 (Design / Social Media / Marketing) 

Naomi Rupprecht | March - April 2020 (Design / Manufacturing)

Anna M. | February - August 2020 (Design / Graphic)

2019

Niklas Bormann | October - February 2019/20 (Manufacturing)

Ewald Klaus | October - February 2019/20 (IT)

Julian Eisenberger | August - January 2019/20 (LEAN / Manufacturing)

Katharina Schimps | July - September 2019 (Graphic Design / Social Media / Marketing)

Marie Annika Hoffmann | June - December 2019 (Design / Film / Photo) 

Jasmine Fou | June - July 2019 (Design / Social Media / Marketing) 

Denise Janson | May - August 2019 (Design / Social Media / Marketing) 

Rouven Leon Leskow | March - August 2019 (LEAN / Manufacturing) 

2018

Tom Blaszuweit | October - December 2018 (Design / Manufacturing)

Alex Scaria | September - December 2018 (Social Media)

Tim Raudies | April- August 2018 (Process Management, Data, Marketing)

Caro Ossig | February - March 2018 (Internship Setup)

Example of costs for a stay of 6 months

Remember! This is just a calculation based on a person living in Germany! It can be cheaper or more expensive depending on your own lifestyle. Things like selling the scooter afterwards or making weekend trips are not included.
COSTING
LOW CASE
HIGH CASE
Flights
600€
900€
Passport
37,50€ (for germans below 25 years)
75,90€ (for austrians)
Visa
70€
150€
Vaccinations
80€
200€
International health insurance
180€
450€
Accommodation (water & electricity)
60€
140€
Food and Drinks
1000€
2000€
Scooter (if rented)
405€
608€
Total amount
2.432,50€
4.523,90€
Costings
Explanation
Flights
Depending on your departure city and the time of booking. Booking the flight to and back from Thailand is mostly cheaper then to get two one way tickets. You should plan approximately 700€.
Passport
If you are 24 years old or younger a passport will cost 37,50€ and over 24 years 60. If you need an express one it will be even more expensive.
Visa
60€ or 150€ (3 moths with one entry or longer with more entries).
Vaccinations
Your health insurance will cover a big part of your vaccinations, but you have to pay in advance (This can range from 100€ to 800€ depending on which vaccinations you need and you will probably get back like 80% of it).
International health insurance
If you are younger than 27 years old an international health insurance will cost you 150€ - 180€ for 6 months.
Accommodation
We will cover the costs for your accommodation up to 5,000 Baht (150€) per month. If you like to stay somewhere which is more expensive we need you to cover the rest. The accommodating will be more expensive from November to March because of the high season.
Food and Drinks
A big bottle of water (which should be drunken per day) costs about 10 Bahts which equals 0,26€. It is cheaper to go for lunch and dinner to a restaurant then to cook by yourself. One meal at a local restaurant will be between 50 and 80 Bahts (1,30-2,00€). For breakfast you can get fruit on the market which is not expensive either.
Scooter
Scooters will cost 250 Baht per day, but you may get a discount for longer time. If you are staying for 6 months, it will probably make more sense to buy one on your own. You don't have to rent to buy a scooter!