Not much GA in Thailand because of the restrictive rules. And you can absolutely forget about doing it for money. It's one of the occupations prohibited to foreigners under Thai law (unless you're international crew). You'll get a free stay in the Bangkok Hilton before your deportation hearing. If you're going to Chiang Mai, try
Nok club,
Chiang Mai club, or
Lanna club
for doing a license conversion and getting in the air. Also, if you
must fly, the
sport flying club (UL & light sport) is a much cheaper route. Couple other places around Pattaya.as well.
Need a sponsoring letter from the club. Then go down to Bangers, take tests on Thai air rules and Thai-CRM (how to get along with your Thai copilot). Fill out your your verification of license form to send back to Oz, with the proper DCA inspector's address. Then get your initial authorization from DCA to take a Thai medical. Come back to Bangers in a couple of weeks for the exam. Back to DCA with your certificates and a copy of every page of your logbook. Pay the money, and now you can go back to Chiang Mai and do your checkout.
PM if you do any holiday time down my way.