6 Best Gap Year Programs in Thailand

Gap year programs in Thailand are the perfect excuse to stuff your face with pad thai all day every day. And, ya know, grow a little bit too. ☆ Gap years are more than an escape from reality; they’re a self-discovery starter-kit. But for those of you looking for a semi-escapism break from the humdrum of whatever life you’re living, gap year programs in Thailand are the answer to your slump.

Thailand called and it wants you to take a gap year.

Why Thailand? Because gap year programs are meant to mix up your daily routine. They’re supposed to shift your perspective and make you reflect on your place in the world and the work you’re doing in it. Thai culture and lifestyle will do just that! Hints of Buddhism line day-to-day interactions, family-focused communities show a special way of living, and the true meaning of life will become evident after a few tuk tuk rides (i.e. life will flash before your eyes. Please wear a helmet).

If you spend a year in Thailand, we have no doubt that you’ll be a happier human. Have you seen those beaches? Shimmery and sunkissed days await you. Ever heard of Buddhism? Epitome of chilling out and self-discovery. And we all know the way to a person’s heart is through their stomach, so it seems fitting that your curry cravings could be cured with a gap year in Thailand.

But what kind of gap year are you looking for? Volunteering? Teaching? Learning? Adventuring? Overwhelmed? Shhh, it’s ok, we made you a list. Here are 6 of the best gap year programs in Thailand.

The best gap year programs in Thailand

1. Thinking Beyond Borders Asia Gap Semester

This gap year in Thailand is perfect for recent high school grads who are biting at the bit to make a difference in the real world. Thinking Beyond Borders really lives up to the name! This program will take you across Asia, from Thailand to Cambodia to India.

In Thailand, you’ll be able to engage deeply with Thai culture by living with the locals. Homestays are a wonderful way to integrate and learn about a culture, and you should include one in your gap year. Thailand is known for an amazing array of fruits, vegetables, and of course, rice. This program will teach you the importance of agriculture and education, and how it’s connected to economic growth in rural communities in the North.

This program is dedicated to creating meaningful change, which totally vibes with our values at GoAbroad. They give people the opportunity to learn about how to make real, sustainable impacts in communities around the world. It looks like the path to changing the world starts with a plane ride to Thailand!

Where? Northern Thailand + Cambodia + India
When? Fall
Read Thinking Beyond Borders reviews here

2. Teach English in Thailand

Gap year programs in Thailand are a great way to figure out what you might want to do later in life, and teaching English gives you the opportunity to get your education interests piqued. You don’t need a TEFL certification or previous experience, so it’s ideal for people who have always been interested in teaching but never had a chance to try it.

If you’re a native englsih-speaker and motivated to learn, you’re the perfect candidate. InterExchange will guide you through the process, so there’s no need to stress about the details of your gap year in Thailand (think orientation + rent-free housing. Can I hear you say “whaaaaat”?!)

Being a teacher (ajarn) is highly respected in Thailand. If you decided to teach during your Thailand gap year you’ll have the honor of playing an important role in your community and be welcomed as a resident rather than a tourist. You can teach kids from kindergarten to 12th grade in schools across central and northern Thailand. Plus you’ll be getting paid, so more money for pad thai, ammirite?

Where? Northern + Central Thailand
When? October
Read InterExchange reviews here

3. International Internships in Bangkok

Let’s face it: Experience is king. Gap year programs in Thailand can hook you up with life and work experience. Spend a year in Thailand polishing your bidnizz skills with an international internship in Bangkok. The buzzing city is alive with culture and opportunity, so it’s great for current students, recent grads, or people looking to transition into another profession. The Intern Group partners with NGOs, big companies, and loads of other organizations to create well-rounded internships that will make your resume glow.

Bangkok is a must-see for any Thai traveler. Ornate Buddhist temples stand in contrast with mega-futuristic malls, creating cultural whiplash; a kind or roller coaster you’ll be dying to get back on. Spending your gap year in Thailand can further your career and your connection with another culture. This program includes Thai cooking classes, language courses, and more.

Where? Bangkok
When? Year-round, rolling admission
Read The Intern Group reviews here

4. Pacific Discovery Thailand Summer Program

Start your gap year in Thailand with a summer of fun in the sun! Dive into Thai culture with Pacific Discovery’s summer program, then make your way through the country on your own to fill out the rest of the year. This program gets you involved in every aspect of Thai culture: elephant conservation, Muay Thai, meditation, cooking, yoga, caving, rock climbing, and scuba diving. You can even get school credit!

If you’re looking for fast-paced Thailand gap year programs that offer a variety of experiences, look no further! Pacifc Discovery is what you’ve been waiting for. Spend your Thailand gap year learning about sustainability, Thai culture, and the spirit of adventure. Immerse yourself in history one day, and swing through the jungle the next. The experience is constant, and you’ll love every minute of it.

Where? From Pai to Krabi, you’ll be all over Thailand
When? July
Read Pacific Discovery reviews here

5. Diving and Marine Conservation in Thailand with Projects Abroad

Do you have an adoration for aquatic animals? Perhaps you’re more mermaid than human? Thailand gap year programs like this have a way of connecting people to their inner Mermaid/Moana. With this gap year in Thailand, you’ll dip your toes into marine conservation and pop out of the ocean with a PADI certification, conservation expertise, and legit research experience.

No need to hold your breath! Projects Abroad gives you scuba gear. You’ll get to observe and analyze reef damage, collect samples, and record marine life. From sea turtles to sting rays, you’ll see it all. So many squishes, so little time. But your year in Thailand won’t be all under water. You’ll have the chance to explore nearby islands, work in mangrove forests, and explore the city of Au Nang.

Where? Ao Nang
When? Year-round
Read Projects Abroad reviews here

6. Southeast Asia Semester | Carpe Diem Education Gap Year

Gap year programs in Thailand often have a humanitarian focus, and this is no different. You’ll be working with a local NGO to promote community empowerment, support refugees, migrant workers, and children. The hill tribes in Thailand have a complicated and unique legal status, and face discrimination.

You’d be wise to seize the opportunity of a lifetime with this Thailand gap year. During your time in Northern Thailand, you’ll be learning the language, customs, and dances of people living in hill tribes. You’ll also be learning about human rights, engaging in cultural exchange, and making lifelong friendships with your small group of volunteers. Get in touch with your inner Buddha while you learn about the importance of Theravada to the locals, and maybe learn something about yourself in the process.

Start your gap year in Thailand, then head to Cambodia and Vietnam to continue your Southeast Asian experiential learning adventure. You’ll even have the option of earning 18 college credits.

Where? Northern Thailand (Mae Rim village, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai) + Cambodia + Vietnam
When? Fall, Spring
Read Carpe Diem Education reviews here

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Fulfill your gap year in Thailand dreams!

Wondering if gap year programs in Thailand are right for you? We say...yes.

Do you hear that? It’s the sound of elephants trumpeting your name. The beaches are basking in the sun, and they saved a spot for you. So what’s next in your Thailand gap year planning? We know you’re dying to buy your ticket ASAP, so here’s everything you need to know about a gap year in Thailand.

Thailand gap year programs are the ideal way to explore the enchanting Land of Smiles, because you’ll leave with an unforgettable experience no matter what you choose. It’s all about intention, and we know your gap year will be meaningful.

If you want to spend a year in Thailand, you may end up stitching together multiple gap year programs. In Thailand that should be no problem, because there are so many opportunities to extend your stay! Start your trip as a meaningful community development volunteer, and then grab your gear and backpack across Southeast Asia. A gap year in Thailand is a guaranteed adventure, so make sure you’re prepared for the time of your life.