Why Travel to Thailand for Your Gap Year (and Beyond)?

Should you go to Thailand? Absolutely! With its soft white sand beaches, breathtaking sceneries like nowhere else on the planet, mouth watering food, exotic culture, intense nightlife, extreme hospitable locals, and (to top it all off) incredibly affordable living, it's no wonder why Thailand is known as The Land of Smiles. 

All it takes is one look at this photo and you want to book your gap year in Thailand too—right!?

Thailand tends to be a top destination for gappers...who wouldn’t want to spend a gap year in paradise? No matter what stage of life you find yourself in—between studies or jobs, or simply in need of a change of pace / scenery—taking a gap year in Thailand is a wonderful, challenging, and exciting opportunity.

Imagine this: spending your day volunteering, teaching, or learning about conserving elephant sanctuaries, then ending your day with a dip in the clear blue waters along a nice Thai iced tea and authentic pad thai straight from the source. Your working days will never be as relaxing as they will be during your gap year in Thailand.

No classroom in the world can teach you what traveling and first hand experience can teach you. Learn different life skills, like adapting to a new culture and lifestyle, become more patient and open-minded, try new things and maybe discover that your office job might not be exactly what you were cut for.

Want to find out why you shouldn’t miss on on this once in a lifetime opportunity? Then keep on reading and find out everything you’ve ever wanted to know about taking a gap year in Thailand.

Why Thailand is amazing for a gap year

1. A variety of gap year opportunities for all types of budding travelers

Thailand is full of endless opportunities for gap year travel in Thailand—from fun, to adventure, to learning and most definitely soul searching. So much so, that even an entire year might not be enough for one to discover all the mysteries of the jewel of the Far East. So let’s take a look at some life-changing experiences that you can start with right now and where you can experience them.

These night markets aren’t going to shop themselves!

• Adventure travel. We’re sure that taking a gap year travel in Thailand was the first option on your list. Don’t worry, we are not judging! Backpacking, hiking, kayaking, rock climbing, scuba diving, trekking through the jungle, or learning a few moves of martial arts.
• The opportunities are endless. Start at Khao San Road for a few weeks, then take a boat down the Chao Phraya River, and do some shopping in Bangkok’s most famous shopping center. Explore thick rainforests, majestic mountains, ancient temples and museums in Chiang Mai.
• Spend relaxing days on the Krabi beaches, make a quick stop at the Thai McDonalds, and discover the personality and nightlife of each Thai island. And these are only a few examples from the endless list of exciting activities to keep yourself busy throughout the entire year. 
• Volunteer. What better way to discover and understand the Thai culture if not from working closely and directly with the locals? Do something different and spend your gap year dedicating yourself to changing lives and transforming communities.
• Promote education, facilitate healthcare services, or help with the preservation of the rare animal species of Thailand. Teach English and care for the children of the hill tribes or help with construction and renovation in Chiang Rai or Koh Samui Island.
• Make a difference in the Women’s Empowerment program in Bangkok, or join the Elephant Village Project in Surin. Volunteering in Thailand is an especially rewarding and memorable experience that every person should try at least once in their lifetime. Popular gap year volunteer programs in Thailand include IVHQ, Projects Abroad, and GoEco.
• Work or intern. Have you ever considered a gap year teaching in Thailand? Although Thailand might not be the place for you to pursue a high paying career, it is definitely the place to pursue a fulfilling one.
• Teach English to children in kindergarten or international universities in Bangkok, or better yet teach English to Buddhist Monks in Chiang Mai. If you want to catch two birds with one stone by giving back to the community while also advancing in your career, sign up for a medical internship in the hospitals of Bangkok!
• If medicine is not exactly your field, how about give the local news a try and cover stories about Thailand’s events and stories. Want to intern and make your resume pack a punch? Find customized placements with CISabroad or The Intern Group.

None of these tickle your fancy? Consider browsing ALL of your awesome gap year program options in Thailand.

Walking around and taking in the sights, sounds, and beauty of your new home won’t cost a thing.

2. It's crazy affordable

Depending on how you plan to spend your gap year in Thailand, the costs might differ, so planning your budget for this adventure needs to start with knowing the basics.

Thailand is a pretty affordable country to live in, especially with a decent budget and with a small income opportunity, one could live like a king. Renting a one bedroom apartment in the city will cost around $400, whereas outside the city, you will not pay more than $200. 

The public transportation is so affordable and has such great connections that you shouldn’t even worry about living outside the cities. Plus, you can be closer to the locals and immerse yourself in the Thai culture even better.

GoAbroad tip—The currency in Thailand is the Thai Baht and the currency rate could easily be used to your advantage. 

3. Gap year programs offer great deals

If you’re considering gap year programs in Thailand, make sure you research the different program types and costs so you can plan your budget better. Program fees can start anywhere from $600 to a few thousand dollars a week, depending on the type, length and destination of the program. 

Here are some affordable gap year programs in Thailand:

• Volunteering Solutions ~$500/week
• Oyster Worldwide from ~$650 per week (minimum two weeks)
• Go Discover Abroad Price varies from ~$600 per week and up

Yes, we know, it sounds scary but the great news is that these fees cover things such as accommodation, visa paperwork, travel costs, daily meals, onsite coordinators, and 24/7 assistance and support. The cost might seem scary, but it sure takes a lot of stress off your hands and makes the process so much easier.

And if you are still worrying about how you can cover all these costs, you can always start a fundraising with an online crowdfunding platform like FundMyTravel and start building your travel budget.

4. Feast like a king—at a fraction of the cost

Don’t hold the spice!!!

Traveling to any other country you might not consider eating out too often, but that shouldn’t be the case in Thailand. If you’d really want to, you could daily eat out and spend as little as $5 for a whole meal in a restaurant, or hit the Thai food markets and enjoy delicious local food for less than $2. And drinks are no more expensive than that either. 

[Everything You Need to Take a Gap Year in Thailand]

If you get a midnight craving, give the night street food a try! Coconut pancakes, Thai crepes, sweet roti, BBQ skewers, or if you’re brave, why not try some fried insects? Not your taste? Then wipe it down with some shaved ice with syrup and discover why Bangkok is considered the food capital of the world. 

5. Convenient transportation (perfect for weekend travels & jet setting around the region!)

Although transportation in Thailand will seem chaotic and dangerous at first, with motorbikes, bicycles and tuk tuks as the main mode of transportation, you will soon get used to it and understand how convenient and easy these methods actually are. Especially for short distances. If you’re in a hurry, grab a tuk tuk and you’ll reach your destination in no time.

[20 Best Activities for a Gap Year Abroad]

Buses are great for long distances, but not all of them have air conditioning inside, so you might want to check on that before you take a long trip. Furthermore, international flights from Thailand to other Asian places like Laos, Cambodia, or Vietnam are very cheap with plenty of low-cost airlines, which means even more exciting traveling opportunities for you. 

6. You rarely have to worry about safety

Thailand is a very safe country, but as anywhere else in the world, take precautions, be aware of petty theft, avoid dark alleys and make lots of friends to hang out with, because you do not want to miss on any of the Thai night parties on the beach. Also, do a bit of a research on the price range of taxis and tuk-tuks before hopping in, so you can avoid the usual tourist scams. And nothing shouts more tourist than not knowing your price tags.

Be sure to read our comprehensive gap year safety tips to be extra alert and ready to handle whatever Thailand swings at ya!

7. You’ll gain incredible, long-lasting skills

Life’s a beach during your Thailand gap year

Although white sand beaches, palm trees and historical temples are the main attraction, Thailand is way more than that and there are a ton of other activities and skills that one can learn to last for a lifetime.

Take advantage of the all year round gorgeous weather and crystal clear waters and get your diving certification in Phuket or the Phi Phi Islands, then go exploring the coral reefs while leading your own class. Or how about underwater filmmaking? We bet you haven’t thought about that career turn in your life, right?

[9 Ways to Make Your Post Gap Year Resume Shine]

The fact of the matter is: Gap years are great environments to advanced skill building. Beyond the technical side of things, we have a hunch you’ll develop loads of soft skills too—the kind that make you a standout employee in the future. Arming yourself with new insights about your passions, goals, and career aspirations can only make you a more focused, badass individual in your next life steps (college, maybe?!).

8. You’ll soak up the rich culture and learn to become a better person

There’s just something about being surrounded by Thailand’s 95% Buddhist population that will have you grappling with deeper life questions.

Clarifying your purpose, how you define “normal,” what kindness, generosity, and compassion mean to you (and how they manifest in your lifestyle), and growing in your understanding of the fact that the world is a really, really big place are all prime gap year souvenirs.

We’re not sure if “enlightenment” has made its way to your gap year goals list, but maybe it should!

You’ll LOVE your gap year in Thailand

Make a difference with the help of gap year programs in Thailand <3

Even if you are not an adventure junkie, we still recommend that you step out of your comfort zone and give Thailand a try. Thousands of gappers have done it before you so they must know something you don’t. But take your chances and find out yourself.

All the information you need is at the tip of your fingers now, so all you have to do is sign up, pack some clothes, say your farewells from friends and family and get ready for an exciting year in your life. Thailand gap year, here we come!

Get Matched with 5 Gap Year Programs in Thailand for FREE