How to Volunteer Abroad in Thailand on a Budget

After day one you’ll understand why Thailand is the Land of Smiles. These aren’t the forced smiles of family portraits, in Thailand you’re surrounded by genuine smiles from locals and fellow visitors alike. You’ll be smiling after your first mango sticky rice, after surviving your first tuk tuk ride, after dipping a toe in the sea, after sharing a watermelon with an elephant, and after a group of Thai school children wave at you like you’re a celebrity. It may not be quite “off the beaten path” these days, but Thailand is still a country full of wonders to discover. 

More than full moon parties, beach holidays, and Buddhist temples, Thailand is a developed country with strong ties to its traditions and history. For those willing to look past the typical tourist experiences, Thailand has a wealth of unique and colorful customs, as well as breathtaking natural wonders to share.

Like many countries in Southeast Asia, there are still many Thais living off the land in traditional communities. And like many countries, Thailand continues to work to figure out how to develop and advance as a society. This means there is ample opportunity to volunteer, and give back to the communities hosting you as you travel. 

With a fairly low cost of living, exceedingly welcoming and generous people, and practically perfect natural landscapes, Thailand is an excellent destination if you’re looking to volunteer abroad on a budget. Here’s everything you need to not go broke while volunteering in Thailand!

Can I volunteer in Thailand for free?

We’ll be quick about this — no. But that shouldn’t stop you! You might be asking yourself why you should pay to volunteer. Most reputable programs put your participation fee to work, either investing in the cause you’re working for or to support your needs. Generally, your program fee will cover accommodation, training, and orientation. Depending on the program, room and board may also be included. It varies from program to program, and it’s up to you to determine which opportunity intersects at your ideal point of value and cost.

The average costs of volunteering in Thailand

Luckily, the relative ease of traveling Thailand on a budget corresponds to plenty of options to volunteer abroad on a budget too. The secret to volunteer in Thailand on a budget is to know how volunteer program fees range considerably. IVHQ runs programs that cost roughly $300 a week and with Love Volunteers, you could pay as little as $175 per week.

The average program cost to volunteer in Thailand falls roughly between $500-$1500 weekly—but keep in mind that inclusions and services vary widely. Further, it’s up to you to educate yourself on where your program fees are going. We personally would rather spend a little more money, for say, if the organization hires locals / donates funds to the project rather than slips extra dollars into their own admin pockets.

Once you’re volunteering in Thailand, you can live comfortably on $10-$15 a day. This is assuming you’re eating local, have accommodations covered (or are staying in a hostel), and typically walk more than Uber. Probably the biggest financial obstacle to volunteering in Thailand on a budget is getting there.

Once you’ve paid for your plane tickets though, you’ll love living large without high costs. That means if you want to volunteer in Thailand on a budget, it’s totally doable! You’ll notice as you travel through Thailand that you can get by on a strict budget fairly easily. Hostel dorms can be found for less than $10 a day and you can eat a heaping plate of pad thai for less than $3. In the markets you’ll find fresh fruit and vegetable for under $1, and gifts for the family won’t break the bank either.

[How to Fund Your Volunteer Abroad Adventure—Scholarships, Fundraising, More →] 

More ideas to volunteer abroad on a budget in Thailand

Creating and sticking to a budget can be difficult. It definitely takes practice and discipline. Here are a few tips to help you on your way to successfully volunteering abroad on a budget in Thailand. 

1. Keep your overall program cost in mind. 

On top of your day-to-day expenses, the overall cost of your volunteer program in Thailand is an important one to remember. This expense could affect your day-to-day budget. f your program cost covers meals and/or accommodation, that is something you no longer have to account for. Volunteering in a rural area means less things tempting you to spend money. If you have a really strict budget, maybe taking yourself far away from the markets and nightlife will help you stick to that budget.

2. Live a frugal lifestyle. 

It is pretty easy to keep to a budget in Thailand while volunteering, where the cost of living is quite low. However, it does take a bit of effort and commitment. Instead of western-style restaurants, stick to street stalls and traditional foods. This way of eating is definitely cheaper, but it’s also a great way to experience the local culture. 

Thai cuisine is flavorful, filling, full of local produce, and sometimes quite spicy. In Thailand you’ll also find the most delicious, and exotic, fruits and vegetables. Rambutan look a little alien, passion fruit is fresher than you can imagine, dragon fruit are intensely pink, and mangoes in Thailand will ruin you for all other mangoes. If you’re especially adventurous give durian a try (just remember it’s banned in most hotels and guest houses). 

If your program does not provide housing, consider hostels and guesthouses. Hostels are cheap, and they are also great places to meet other people from all over the world. Depending on where in the country you’re volunteering, standard accommodation will vary. You won’t find air conditioning in a lot of places, and you’ll find many beds covered by mosquito nets. WIFI is more widespread now, but not a guarantee. No wifi? No problem! It’s a perfect opportunity to practice your Thai language skills and make some new Thai and foreign friends. 

Transportation to and from your Thailand volunteer project  is also something to consider. Many Thai people still rely on bicycles and motorbikes over cars. It isn’t too difficult to rent a bike (motorized or not) during your stay, just remember that in Thailand they drive on the other side of the road compared to North America. Traffic accidents are also fairly common, so it’s important to remember your helmet and make sure you’re a confident driver.

This is definitely a convenient option, but it’s an additional expense to consider. Tuk tuks are generally reserved for tourists, but shared taxis (called song thaews) are pretty common, affordable, and in some places, run on specific routes. If you’re traveling to other parts of the country, or other neighboring countries, choose ground transportation and public transportation. An overnight bus might not sound like the most comfortable way to get around Thailand, but it’s definitely more budget-friendly. 

3. Prioritize spending on needs instead of wants. 

That hand carved, three foot tall, wooden elephant table is beautiful but do you need it? Probably not. It’ll also be a pain to carry around during your travels. This is a useful practice not only as a budget volunteer abroad in Thailand, but also when you get home (so you can start saving for your next adventure!). In reality, this can be difficult. Sometimes you need a few splurges on the comforts of home, but when it comes to keeping your volunteer experience affordable, choosing local and traditional is the best way to go. 

4. Buy insurance in advance—and keep your luggage light.

Buy travel insurance before you leave home; it might seem like an expensive part of travel, but if you get sick or should anything unfortunate happen (like a motorbike accident?!), having insurance will definitely come in handy. Pay attention to the weight of your luggage, as baggage fees are definitely not a necessary expense. Keep this in mind when you’re going on shopping sprees at the night markets when taking a break from volunteer projects. You really only need one pair of MC hammer travel pants and probably only one Chang beer shirt, too. ;-)

5. Do some research before leaving home. 

One of the best ways to master traveling Thailand on a budget is to do your homework in advance. Read up on the part of Thailand you’re planning to volunteer in. If your program doesn’t cover accommodation, what is the average cost of a hostel there? Can you do a homestay? Will you need to take a train or a bus from the airport? Will you need special gear? While it’s pretty easy to travel through Southeast Asia without doing too much pre-planning. If you’re trying to save money, create a budget, and stick it it, then you should do a little planning. 

Thailand is pretty well-traveled which means there is a ton of information available. If the volunteer program you’ve chosen is well-organized then you’ll probably be able to find out quite a bit from them. Reading about your upcoming adventure will make the days pass faster to your departure date too!

6. Learning Thai can help you get better deals.

There might not be a true correlation between speaking a bit of the local language and successfully volunteering in Thailand on a budget. However, knowing a bit of the local language will go a long way to helping you settle in—and maybe get a better deal at the market. As mentioned above, knowing some key phrases will help you order food, haggle, and buy goods at the (budget-friendly) local markets. When shopping, knowing a little Thai could help with haggling, and will definitely get you some smiles. 

7. Consider finding a part-time job abroad?

Maybe you’ve been traveling for a bit and after arriving in Chiang Mai you’ve learned about a wonderful program in Koh Tao that you would love to spend time volunteering for. But you’re coming to the end of your funds and you know that sometimes the best volunteer opportunities come with program fees. Consider teaching English while you’re in Chiang Mai to earn a little money first. You could also teach English online during your downtime from your volunteer program. 

[Browse Volunteer Opportunities in Thailand Now]

8. Volunteer with a friend. #halfies

Solo travel is an epic experience that everyone should try. It’s fun, freeing, and teaches you so much about yourself. However, teaming up with a friend could be more budget-friendly. With a friend you can split the cost of several things. Share a room, share taxi fare, share groceries, share a motorbike, maybe even share a data plan. Some solo travelers struggle at meal times. With a buddy you might be more likely to sit and enjoy a heaping plate of pad thai and som tam (papaya salad) at the local market, and brave the overnight bus instead of a more expensive transport option.  

You can volunteer in Thailand for cheap!

Volunteering allows you to see a place in a way regular travelers might miss. As a volunteer you’ll be able to learn more about daily life that you might miss in the markets, temples, and museums. Volunteering also gives you the chance to give back to a society that has invited you to visit, experience, and learn. As responsible travelers we should aim to limit our negative impact on our host community, as volunteers we can even give back. 

If you want to volunteer abroad on a budget, Thailand may be the perfect destination. Thailand’s strong and developed tourism infrastructure means there are plenty of affordable choices and getting around the country is fairly easy. Thailand’s low cost of living means you can sleep and eat more affordably than in places like Western Europe. If you do a little research and planning in advance, and then can exercise some restraint when you arrive, volunteering in Thailand on a budget is definitely possible.

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