How to Volunteer Abroad in Thailand

Thailand is much more than full moon parties and Buddhist monasteries. While the country is typically seen as a place for rowdy beach holidays or spiritual retreats, this kingdom (formally called Siam) is one of the most culturally rich locations in Southeast Asia. A comfortable mix of developed nation and unexplored environment, volunteers can mix sightseeing at the famous ruins of Ayuthaya with educational work in a tribal village. From the islands down south to the mountains up north, with the chaotic capital of Bangkok in between, Thailand is a place of vast opportunities for volunteers.

Choosing a Program

Due to the abundance of placement programs in Thailand, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Comments and reviews from previous volunteers are a good way to narrow down your options. Though every program appears to have good intentions online, there are unfortunate stories of volunteers who have reached their placement only to find the organization doesn’t actually exist. Contact the program manager or director if you have questions or concerns. Volunteering through a third party provider will also ensure the validity of your program and organization.

What Placements Provide

Because there are a plethora of placement programs, many can afford to charge fees without scaring volunteers. Typically, fees cover the costs of food and accommodation, and any training/orientation. Flights and insurance are the responsibility of the volunteer. However, many international airlines fly directly to Bangkok, and the country’s train and bus systems are cheap and dependable.

Types of Placements

Thailand also offers a diverse range of volunteer placements. Volunteers can choose predominantly from the following fields: education, childcare and orphanage work, refugee assistance, media, conservation and environmental protection.

Education

Placements range from basic English teaching to higher-education classwork that is subject-specific. Depending on which level of education you’re interested in, certification may not be required. Many rural schools and orphanages are eager to take volunteers without previous teaching experience- just speaking English is a bonus! These placements can run from several days to several months.

Refugee Assistance

These placements are more difficult to arrange, because Thailand – while creating camps for ethnic refugees – does not recognize their international refugee status inside the country. Volunteers are desperately needed for female rights groups, human trafficking and protection groups, media outlets, camp classrooms, and other refugee organizations.

However, most placement programs are legally unable to work with these groups. If you’re interested in getting involved with Burmese refugees in Thailand, some information is available online through facilitators like the Burma Volunteer Program. Be careful not to advertise your intentions to the Thai government, or you can put these refugee organizations in danger.

Media and Marketing

Placements typically function like unpaid internships. Volunteers are able to assist with tourism-based marketing and magazine writing. These placements are more competitive and may require previous experience or additional interviews, on top of the initial application.

Conservation and Environmental Protection

These fields are quite popular with Thailand’s unique and endangered species. Elephant care and forestry are two volunteer favorites. The country has a growing reputation for environmental concern and education, with volunteers establishing conservation standards, monitoring wild species, and working with villages on sustainability projects. These placements tend to last one week or longer.

Visas

All volunteers, besides those considering and/or seeking work with refugees, can enter Thailand on a volunteer visa. Your placement program should help you apply for this. If not, information is available online at the Thai Immigration Bureau website. The country has a reputation for loose visa laws, so it’s a simple procedure for volunteers to legally enter the country. This also gives you options for extending and renewing visas, should you chose to stay longer in your volunteer placement.

Health and Safety

Don’t worry about health and safety while you volunteer in Thailand. Bangkok practices some of the most advanced healthcare in Southeast Asia, and standards are considered equal to those in Western countries. The fees charged by many placements will include emergency treatment or evacuation; if they don’t, pharmacies and clinics are common in most towns, and medicines are not expensive.

Free Time

Understanding that Thailand is a travel hub for outdoor adventures, underwater sports, food trails, and cheap shopping, most placement programs combine volunteering with cultural activities and day trips. It is famous for climbing and diving and people travel from around the globe to experience Thailand from the tips of a cliff to the bottom of the sea. The low cost of living, friendly locals, and easy transport system makes it a convenient and easy place to explore, even after your placement is finished.

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