Volunteering in Thailand

Enrolment form Thailand
Enrolment form please CLICK HERE.

Volunteering in Thailand is a unique way to discover the country, its culture and people while doing a meaningful job.
You must be at least 18 years old, independent and outgoing, and have a genuine desire to volunteer.

The country and culture
The Kingdom of Thailand, formerly known as Siam, is one of the most interesting countries in Asia. Each year over 12 million visitors land in Thailand. The country has a pleasant blend of new and old, ancient and modern ways of life.
Thailand spreads over 16 latitudes and more than 1100 miles, with one of the most varied climates in Southeast Asia.

The country is geographically split in four: mountains to the north, fertile plains in the middle, the harsh Korat Plateau to the Northeast and the southern region, with its dense rain forests and gorgeous tropical beaches. The Bay of Thailand forms the eastern coast and the western coastline is the Andaman Sea. Hundreds of islands spread into the sea on all sides of the Thai mainland. Most popular are Phuket, Phi Phi, Krabi, Koh Chhang and Koh Samet.

Climate
The climate is tropical with high temperatures and high humidity. In June, the monsoon announces the rainy season.
There are three different seasons – the warm season from March until May, the rainy season from June until September and the cooler season from October until the end of February.

The average temperature is 33 degrees Celsius all year-round.

People
Thailand is a place where people from all of Asia meet. Only a third of the 60 million inhabitants of the country are Thai.
There are large groups of Chinese, Laotian and Khmers, while Malayans, Burmans, Indians and Vietnamese form a smaller part of the population.

Despite this mix of nationalities, the sense of cultural and social belonging is very strong in Thailand.

Religion
Religion plays an important part in Thai culture. Over 95% are Theraveda-buddhists, whilst the rest are Muslims, Christians or Hindus. Buddhism is very important in daily life and the temples are the gathering places for all social and religious celebrations and events in every village. 300,000 monks live in 30,000 temples.
Every Thai male has to be a monk at least for a week or two before he gets married and starts a family life.
Even westerners can become monks, if they wish to learn and practice Buddhism.

Language
The main language is Thai, which is spoken in most parts of the country. There are several different dialects. Thai is a language of “tones”, which means that a word can have five meanings if pronounced using 5 different tones, depending on where you put the intonation. In Bangkok, the language of business and education is English. 

The program
The program starts on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month with one week’s language and culture lessons. This first week is your introduction to local customs and the Thai way of living. Furthermore, you will learn some Thai vocabulary, which will come in handy during your voluntary work period.
It is expected that volunteers arrive Sunday before program starts. Participants will be picked up at the Suvarnabhum airport in Bangkok and taken to Ayuthaya, one hour drive north of Bangkok, where they will be accommodated at the volunteer home.
If you arrive earlier, each extra night will cost 20 Euros.

Ayuthaya or Bangkok area

• Child development centres.
• Primary schools.
• Secondary schools.
• Buddhist temple schools.

Child Development Centres
Child Development Centres are located in poor industrial areas.

The centres have children from 2 to 6 years old. Parents bring their children here in the morning and pick them up again in the evening after work. 

Participants help with teaching, drawing, painting, sports, games, singing, dancing, etc. It is expected that volunteers plan activities and are able to work independently.
Work is from 8 am to 12 noon. You can continue to work during the afternoon in the nearby primary school.

Primary schools
Primary schools have children from 5 to 12 years old, and there are between 10 and 40 students per class depending on the capacity and quality of the school.
Teachers will help you to prepare lessons. Teaching is simple, mainly conversational English for beginners.
Suitable topics can be body parts, names of food, animals or colours.
The focus is on spoken English.

Secondary schools
Secondary schools are in bigger cities and have children from 12 to 19 years old. These are larger schools with between 1000 and 4000 students. English is taught as the primary foreign language, but the Thai teachers may not be able to speak fluent English. Therefore, your role will be helping them with pronunciation.
Some schools also offer lessons in French, German and Italian. If you have reasonable language skills in any of these languages, you will probably be asked to help teaching these languages as well.  Some schools have up to 10 English teachers, but only a few can speak good English.
Conversation lessons are highly appreciated. You will work 4 to 5 hours per day from Monday to Friday.
You will need some time to prepare lessons.

Buddhist temples
There are about 30,000 temples in Thailand, where monks live and study religion.
All of these temples receive donations to preserve the temples and surroundings. Monks are involved with social charity but are also traditionally in charge of children’s education in Thailand.
Tasks will mainly be to teach English on the primary and secondary school levels from Monday to Friday. You will not be teaching the young monks.

Even orphanages are run as schools in Thailand. Therefore some of the children attending temple schools are either orphans or from very poor families.

Child development centres
Child development centres are located in Mongkham and Pongyang about one hour drive from Chiang Mai. Most children come from poor families and are from 3 to 6 years old. At least one teacher speaks a little English.

Volunteers assist teachers in their work and entertain the children. Simple English is taught by singing and conversation. Work is 5 to 6 hours per day, Monday to Friday.
It is a good idea to bring some teaching materials such as books, toys, picture dictionaries, drawing pens, etc. Pictures of your family, friends and country are good to talk about during lessons.

Accommodation is with a local host family, about 1 mile from your placement. Please remember to bring a towel, sunscreen lotion and insect repellents.

Teaching in primary school
The Ban Pongyangnai Primary School is in a small village, 40 km. north of Chiang Mai. The nearest town is Mae Rim at 10 km distance.

There are about 200 children, aged 3 to 15 attending this school. Volunteers teach English and help with sports activities.
The teachers also want to practice and improve their English.  You will work Monday to Friday, 4 to 5 hours per day. You are more than welcome to bring teaching materials here as well. Smoking is not allowed in the school area. During the weekends you can go to Chiang Mai City, Sankamphheng, Mae Sa Valley, Doi Pui National Park or the surrounding villages.

In Chiang Mai there are banks, internet cafés, shops and restaurants. Accommodation is with a local host family, about 1 mile from the work placement. You will get your own room. Please remember to bring towels, bed linen and a mat to sleep on.
Same conditions for teaching at a primary school in Nong Khai.

Welfare School in Nongkhai
This school is located in the Nongkhai Province, close to the border of Laos, and the Thai Lao Friendship Bridge over the Mekong, connecting the Nong Khai province and the city of Nong Khai in Thailand with Vientiane in Laos. It is one of the best tourist places and entry to Laos.

The school hosts disadvantaged children, orphans and children of poor families. They live in a shelter where they are provided with food, clothes and all other necessities. The age group is from 3 to 6, nursery level and 7 to 15 yrs, primary school level.

These children go to a nearby nursery, which is located in a primary school complex, during day time for education and learning. Your accommodation will be in a rented house in Nongkhai town, close to the Mekong River, a peaceful and comfortable area. You will have to take a local bus, called Songthyo, to get to work. (Costs approx. 1 Euro per day).

Transport to the area
Participants who choose to work in Chiang Mai or Nong Khai will take the train or bus after the first week of language and culture lessons in Ayuthaya and will be picked up upon arrival. A one way train ticket for a 10 hours trip, costs approx. 20 Euros. A one hour plane connection with Thai Air costs approx. 50 Euros.
You will be picked-up and transferred to the accommodation.

Teaching in General
School holidays are from March until mid May and from mid September until November. During these periods, our local coordinator organizes summer classes in a family house or primary school classroom, in villages or communities, where the children are taught and provided with snacks. Volunteers will teach these summer classes 3 - 4 hours per day.

Enrolment form Thailand
Enrolment form please CLICK HERE.

Before yo go
Living and working in Thailand is a huge challenge and you will need to adapt. It may seem overwhelming at first to adapt to a completely different way of living, another language and slow pace. Nothing resembles home and people react differently. The sunny hot weather, the spicy food, the humid atmosphere – everything is different. At your work you will confront a harsh social reality and experience things that most tourists can’t even imagine.
You must be flexible and independent to work as a volunteer. It is emotionally very demanding to work with poor people, but it also gives an opportunity to do something meaningful as you broaden your horizon and gain an experience that may change your life style and that you will never forget.

Prices in Euros - including one week language and culture program

Included in the price

• Pick up and transport from the airport in Bangkok to the main office.
• One week with language and culture lessons and excursions.
• Food (monday-friday) and accommodation during the entire stay.
• Help and guidance from the coordinator during the entire stay.
• Pre departure information handbook.

Not included in the price

• Visa fees.
• Airfares.
• Any entrance fee during sightseeing and travelling.
• Transport to Chiang Mai or Nongkhai (Train/bus costs ca. 20 Euros).
• Insurance.
• Personal expenses i.e. laundry, telephone, souvenirs, internet, etc.
Transport to and from accommodation and work place. (Costs 1 Euro per day).

Participants arrive on June 24th for summer escape and on January 5th for winter escape. You will be picked up at the airport in Bangkok and driven to the accommodation at the main office in Ayuthaya

Orientation, Language and Culture
The program starts with 3 days language and culture lessons with excursions in Ayuthaya. Volunteer work at local schools starts after this orientation period.

Trip to Kanchanaburi
2 days and 2 nights excursion to Kanchanaburi, about 130 km west of Bangkok, to see the Erawan waterfall, war museums and the bridge over the River Kwai.

Holidays at the beach
After your work period, you will leave for Jomtien, one of the most popular beaches in Pataya. Excursions to Pataya Jomtien Beach, Koh Lan and visits of the tempels.

Board and accommodation
Three meals (monday-friday) during the entire stay. Accommodation in a hostel and/or with a local host family.

Fee summer program

Price summer program: € 1.275

The proposed itinerary is a sample and is subject to changes to meet local field conditions.

Enrolment form Thailand
Enrolment form please CLICK HERE.

Before you travel
Living and working in Thailand is a huge challenge and you will need to adapt. It may seem overwhelming at first to adapt to a completely different way of living, another language and pace. Nothing resembles home and people react differently. The climate, the food, the atmosphere – everything is different. At your work you will confront a harsh social reality and experience things that most tourists can’t even imagine.

You must be mature, flexible and independent to work as a volunteer. It is emotionally very demanding to work with poor people, but it also gives an opportunity to do something meaningful as you broaden your horizon and gain an experience you will never forget.

You enroll by sending the enclosed enrolment form. Please send a letter of motivation with a picture of yourself, explaining why you are interested in working as a volunteer and stating any previous experience to info@exis.org.