LIFE IN THAILAND
Thailand is the most visited country in Southeast Asia and is called the ‘Land of Smiles’. Thailand is a monarchy in Southeast Asia with coasts on the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. Thailand is the heart of the Southeast Asian mainland and neighbours the following countries: Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia. It boasts great food, a tropical climate, fascinating culture and superb beaches, from thick jungles as green as can be, crystal blue waters that feel more like a warm bath than a swim in the ocean, and food that can curl your nose hairs and inspire your taste buds. It is exotic, safe and cheap, yet equipped with every modern amenity you need. Thailand retains its quintessential identity, with a unique culture and history and carefree people famed for their smiles and fun-seeking lifestyle. Whatever your cup of tea is, there's a good chance the locals know how to make it in Thailand.
MAKE YOUR NEXT VOLUNTEER TRIP COUNT BY BECOMING PART OF A WORTHWHILE CAUSE AND JOINING OUR TEAM IN Thailand TODAY!
ISSUES FACING THAILAND
Thailand has a history of political unrest characterized by military coups and protests. The struggle between pro-democracy movements and conservative factions often leads to instability, making it challenging to maintain a cohesive government and implement long-term policies. While Thailand has seen significant economic growth, it currently grapples with inequalities in income distribution and regional disparities. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these issues, leading to increased unemployment and a slowdown in key industries such as tourism. The reliance on tourism makes the economy vulnerable to global fluctuations and health crises. Thailand is facing serious environmental challenges, including air pollution, deforestation, and waste management. Urban areas, particularly Bangkok, often contend with poor air quality, which poses health risks to residents. The government has initiated various measures to address pollution and promote sustainable practices, but progress is slow and requires robust enforcement. The education system in Thailand faces issues of quality and accessibility. Despite improvements, there are disparities between urban and rural education quality. Addressing these challenges requires concerted efforts from the government, civil society, and the international community to promote stability, equality, and sustainable development in Thailand.
how you can help
Building water tanks which bring clean water to villages, instead of women trekking for miles to the nearest clean source, is a godsend. Building a childcare centre, or classroom, gives children the opportunity to learn, and improve their future chances in life. Planting banana trees saves the hills from eroding quickly, helping to prevent landslides and dangers to those living below. By making 4,000 clay bricks, it helps provide necessary resources to build a childcare centre and be able to provide the environment where children can have access to education and care. Now more than ever, there is an immediate need for volunteers to assist in the education of not only young children, but also adults from surrounding hill tribes and local areas. Elephant conservation in Thailand is also a critical issue, given the country's historical and cultural ties to these majestic animals. Elephants have played significant roles in Thai agriculture, tourism, and religious practices. However, many factors threaten their populations, including habitat loss, poaching, and the illegal wildlife trade. Efforts to conserve elephants in Thailand involve various strategies. One major approach is the establishment of protected areas where elephants can roam freely and thrive in their natural habitat. These areas also offer opportunities for eco-tourism, which can generate income for local communities while promoting the protection of elephants.
ESSENTIAL COUNTRY INFORMATION:
CAPITAL CITY: Bangkok
POPULATION: 65 million
CURRENCY: Thai Baht (THB)
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 71
TIME ZONE: UTC +07:00
LITERACY PERCENT: 96
RELIGION(S): Buddhist, Muslim
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE(S): Thai, English, ethnic and regional dialects
WEATHER AND CLIMATE: The climate varies in Thailand depending on the region. The following are the three seasons in Thailand: November to February (cool dry season) temperatures range between 30 - 35 °C / 85 - 95 °F, humidity is between 50% - 60%. March to June (hot season) this is the most difficult time for travellers unaccustomed to the heat. During these months, temperatures can soar to 40 °C / 105 °F with high humidity. July to October (rainy season) the humidity is just over 90% and the average temperature is 29 °C / 84 °F.
INDOOR EDUCATION PROGRAM
A PROGRAM BENEFITING LOCAL THAI COMMUNITIES
Location: Chang Rai & Surrounding Area (Northern Thailand)
The area around Chiang Rai is home to thousands of hill tribe people, so schools are a mixture of many ethnic groups, including Thai, Akha, Lahu, Karen, Mien, Lisu as well as other tribes. The childcare centres are located in hill tribe villages and serve a vital role of preparing the children for government schooling, which is conducted in Thai language, not the children's native tongue. The role of the volunteers is to assist the teachers in taking care of the kids and conduct activities that will help the kids develop. The volunteer work schedule can vary from year to year, and term to term, as villages become accessible after the rains have finished, or a new school asks for volunteers to come to teach. Currently, the schedule includes helping at four different childcare centres, three schools, a hospital, and a Buddhist temple, as well as providing lessons for local hill tribe tour guides, local staff, and local children each week. As a volunteer, you will be required to help out with any or all of the following: assist with lesson planning, teach English, resource development, and cleaning dorms or performing manual labor at the home stay. This program is available year-round, but from the start of March through to mid-May, Thai government schools are closed. If you wish to volunteer during this time, alternative education programs such as teaching English at camps and other teaching projects are available in its place. Due to the sensitive and vulnerable nature of this program, every volunteer will be required to get a police vulnerable sector background check will be required to volunteer on this programs with these children.
start dates for this program are the first or third Monday each month.
** two week minimum requirement for this program. **
Indoor Education Program Fee
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PLEASE NOTE:
This program is noT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME
OUTDOOR EDUCATION PROGRAM
A PROGRAM BENEFITING LOCAL THAI COMMUNITIES
Location: Chang Rai & Surrounding Area (Northern Thailand)
The Outdoor program is for those who are happy to get their hands dirty, who like physical labor, and are reasonably fit. There is a wide variety of work, especially for those staying for longer periods, although you should be prepared for some monotonous work, this is part of real life, and we work in the real world. We attempt to get the Outdoor volunteers into a village, home staying, at least twice a month for 3 to 4 nights each. Those staying for more than a single home stay, should be going to different villages and/or different work, each time. During the remaining period, Outdoor volunteers are based on site at our foundation. Some work is done here to maintain our working capabilities, and some to experiment with new ideas. If we can develop workable methods of farming, or other agricultural skills, then these can be a way of increasing and improving the lifestyle of local hill tribes and communities. Some examples of past projects have included: construction of water tanks and water pipe extensions, building check dams, building or painting school classrooms, developing agricultural projects, assisting with vegetable garden development and plantation, road repairs, repair and maintenance of homes of elderly villagers, building new houses or toilets for elderly villagers, building a new staff office, making bricks, cleaning, and washing the dogs.
It is important for you to know that this program costs more to run than the Indoor program, which is why you will be onsite for a lot of the program. Costs for materials, transport, home stays, food etc. all have to be borne out of the project's central pot - the money we charge an individual volunteer covers your basic accommodation, food and transport, and not much more. As a volunteer, you will be required to help out with any or all of the following: a wide variety of outdoor duties, on or off site, home stay projects with each new volunteer intake, cleaning dorms, or helping out with teaching occasionally (rare, but it can happen). In 2012, the outdoor team began helping to create rice terraces for the poorest of the villagers in this area. A rice terrace is a field cut into the hillside, rather than planting crops directly into the natural curve of the hill. The conversion of fields to terraces has the added benefit of government approval, and although they cannot afford to subsidize the work, they are supportive of the change. It is effective in a number of ways: the water which would normally just run down the hill, can be retained and irrigated with more control. The number of crops per year can be increased, which naturally increases the income for the family. The terrace style helps to prevent landslides and soil erosion. The government is less likely to take the land away (most farmers do not have deeds to their land). Also the farm work, once the terrace is completed, is less arduous. Due to the sensitive and vulnerable nature of this program, every volunteer will be required to get a police vulnerable sector background check will be required to volunteer on this programs with these children.
start dates for this program are the first or third Monday each month.
** two week minimum requirement for this program. **
Outdoor Education Program Fee
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$865.00 CAD
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$905.00 CAD
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$950.00 CAD
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$990.00 CAD
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$1,105.00 CAD
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$1,220.00 CAD
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$1,345.00 CAD
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$1,460.00 CAD
PLEASE NOTE: Volunteers are required to pay a Registration Fee of $225.00 CAD, which will be added to the program fee. This fee helps to cover the registration, enrolment, administration and processing costs. To find out what’s included in the program fees, scroll down for additional details.
To convert these prices to your currency click here. Fees may vary depending on the USD exchange rate.
ELEPHANT SANCTUARY PROGRAM
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND EDUCATION
Location: Various program locations (Northern region, Northeastern region or Northern Cambodia)
Have you ever dreamed of giving something back, assisting with conservation efforts, learning about herbal medicines, getting close to nature, sharing elephant secrets or helping to save endangered species? If so, then this volunteer project could be the perfect placement for you. This incredible program is an elephant rescue and rehabilitation centre in Northern Thailand where you can visit and volunteer to help. This park provides a natural environment for elephants and other animals under our care. Volunteers and visitors contribute to the healing of the elephants while learning about their lives, past and present. Set in a natural valley, bordered by a river, and surrounded by forested mountains, the area offers a timeless glimpse of rural life. This unique project is set in Chiang Mai province, Northern Thailand. Developed in the 1990's, our aim has always been to provide a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants. The park is located some 60 km from the city, and has provided a sanctuary for dozens of distressed elephants in areas all over Thailand. Over the years, it has been involved in dozens of rescues to create a thriving elephant herd. This project highlights aspects of culture, and fauna and flora that is virtually impossible to experience elsewhere. The park has received numerous awards from institutions including the Smithsonian. The founder was named Asian Hero of the Year by Time magazine in 2005, and the park has been featured in many international publications including National Geographic magazine as well as feature documentaries from respected film production companies - Discovery Channel, National Geographic, Animal Planet, BBC, CNN, KTV, RAI, major Thai language TV channels, printed press and radio stations. See the options below to learn about the different ways you can get involved as a volunteer:
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This category is suitable for all visitors. It is designed for those who wish to work with elephants for the first time and gain knowledge about the local conditions and problems facing elephants in the area. NO previous experience is needed. Tasks include assisting elephants' keepers, bathing elephants and general duties around the park and surrounding area. Office work may be required of applicants with suitable skills. The maximum initial stay is 14 days (except in the case of trainee vets as part of their course-work). Extensions of stay may be available at the end of this 14-day period if space permits. Volunteer jobs are varied, from bathing elephants to basic health care. Traveling around the country in a variety of modes, from four-wheel truck to bamboo raft, volunteers will experience local and tribal lifestyles, culture and hospitality.
As a volunteer, the activities may include any or all of the following: area introduction and meeting with the staff and mahouts, learn about elephant communication, experience elephant families and how they choose friends, find out about the problems facing elephants in Thailand today, discover how this project is helping with conservation efforts, feed and bathe the elephants, identify the secret life of the elephants in their natural habitat, learn about elephant diseases and how they are treated when sick, meet volunteers, visitors and park staff from all over the world, and in some cases volunteers may be required to look after our recent rescues in different areas.
VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS: Fluent in the English language, ability to focus and learn quickly, positive and realistic commitment to volunteering, open minded, self assured, positive attitude, flexible, dependable, committed and able to work in a team environment, sensitivity and affinity to others, clean, tidy, respectful, polite and modestly dressed.
PLEASE NOTE: For this particular program, the start date is on a Monday and the finish date is on Sunday.
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This special position is exclusively for veterinarian students as part of their course-work, interested in gaining valuable experience in the field working with large animals. The duration of this program is 28 days in length.
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A position mainly for vets who have completed their studies with 5 or more years of experience with large animals. Tasks will include administering modern as well as traditional medicines under the supervision of a local vet. Additional tasks will include the upkeep of the area. A report on elephant care in the park area and environmental improvement plans is expected at the end of the stay.
Elephant Sanctuary Program Fee
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$500.00 CAD TO $600.00 CAD
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$985.00 CAD TO $1,185.00 CAD
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$1,465.00 CAD TO $1,760.00 CAD
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$1,940.00 CAD TO $2,340.00 CAD
PLEASE NOTE: Volunteers are required to pay a Registration Fee of $225.00 CAD, which will be added to the program fee. This fee helps to cover the registration, enrolment, administration and processing costs. To find out what’s included in the program fees, scroll down for additional details.
To convert these prices to your currency click here. Fees may vary depending on the USD exchange rate.
OUR PROGRAM FEES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
Registration Fee - (refundable if you cancel your program), ongoing support from VWB staff, program marketing costs, digital information package, administration costs, travel costs to develop additional programs as well as ongoing costs to sustain programs.
Program Fee - Airport pickup from Chiang Rai airport, project orientation, program supervision, accommodation (private or dormitory style) and meals during volunteer program period, in-country 24/7 volunteer support and in country administration costs.
Additional Costs to the Volunteer - visa, flights, travel insurance (mandatory), immunizations / vaccinations, in-country trips or tours, transfer to other areas and spending money.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Our enrolment and registration process begin by applying online. Once you have filled out and submitted the online application form, you will receive a confirmation email. To continue on in our enrolment process, all volunteers will be required to pay a Registration Fee of $225.00 CAD, which will be added to the Program Fee. This fee helps to cover the administration and processing costs. Once we receive both the registration and program fee payment, we will send you a confirmation email with the program details and encourage you to book your flight at that time. Our team will be readily available to correspond with you and answer any questions you might have from the time you apply until you reach the project. If you have any further questions or concerns please don't hesitate to contact us at: info@vwbinternational.org.