Volunteer Programs in Chiang Mai, Thailand

The opportunities to volunteer in Chiang Mai seem to be more prevalent than the number of food carts on the street (…and that’s a lot!). As a result of the diversity in Chiang Mai, the needs of the city are diverse as well. One of the main crises in Thailand is that of “statelessness”. Villagers are not granted citizenship and are therefore caught in a cycle of poverty and unemployment that often can lead to more difficulties. Village life leaves many villagers uneducated and desperate for social and economic assistance, which often times leads to trafficking and exploitation. As many know, Thailand is a central location for this crisis, and there is significant need for volunteer work with low-income populations. Volunteering in Chiang Mai is great for individuals with backgrounds in social services or criminal justice, with many placements available in promoting social change.

One of the most sought after volunteer opportunities is teaching English at local schools and camps. This position is greatly rewarding. Foreigners are highly admired in Thailand, as is the English language! The openings for volunteering in Chiang Mai in positions such as these are vast and some are even paid!

Further opportunities for volunteer work in Chiang Mai include, but are not limited to, volunteering at elephant conservation camps, working at orphanages or children’s homes, health care, and village based projects.

Something that is crucial to keep in mind is Thai culture. Many Western countries give a lot of attention to schedule and timeliness. Native Thai people, on the other hand, are considerably spontaneous, which can be rather frustrating to incoming foreigners. A common phrase used is mai pen rai, which has countless meanings; one of the many meanings used in many contexts is “don’t worry about it”. While volunteering abroad in Chiang Mai it is essential to take the needed steps to become more flexible and ready for a change of events at anytime.

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Latest Program Reviews

Got decked by a baby elephant

November 24, 2025by: August Nyenhuis - United StatesProgram: Travel For Teens: Thailand Elephant Service and Explorers

10

My summer at TFT was a dope experience 💯. The counselors and the other teens were super chill and made a whole new country feel like a home away from home. The program had the perfect balance of new cultural experiences, group activities, and community service. Every day was something new! Swimming with elephants, going to thai markets, hiking on a beautiful mountain, or learning how to cook noodles in bamboo shoots! We worked to make a big impact and long-lasting difference for the kids we helped and the schools we worked to renew. Where we worked to make a difference, we also made connections along the way. We connected with the Thai language, the food, the people, the wildlife, and each other. The experience goes hard🔥10/10! Recommend!!! <3

Teaching in Chiang Mai

October 30, 2025by: Charli r - AustraliaProgram: Volunteer in Thailand with IVI - Affordable Programs!

10

The trip was the most fulfilling, enriching and inspiring experience I have ever embarked upon 😊 It is my second time volunteering with IVI and each time I embark on a new teaching journey I seem to learn more, take new things away from the program and leave with new friends from all over the world! I was fortunate enough to volunteer in Chiang Mai, Thailand for 2 weeks wherein I got to teach at 2 schools within the local area. Each day was filled with joy, excitement, friendship, compassion and new opportunities to which I grasped with both hands. One of the most awesome things about volunteering abroad would be the everlasting friendships you create. I adored spending many of my afternoons exploring the local culture with both our coordinators and other volunteers as well as spending many late nights learning new languages, cultures and travel stories from across the world. These friendships hold a very special place in my heart and continue to flourish outside of the volunteer space. My favourite part of the volunteering had to be the lesson planning as it was the most rewarding experience when the lessons and games I had planned were so well received and enjoyed by the kids! If you are considering volunteering … this is definitely your sign as it is an unmatched experience that has countless affordances ❤️ The local team made my stay like home wherein I became apart of this close knit family. We were all so well looked after, with all facilities well maintained, drivers readily available, existing connections across all of Chiang Mai and major attractions we all wanted to visit as well as endless resources to utilise within the classroom setting. The food was definitely locally sourced with many dishes being traditional to Thailand however the food was well prepared and delicious. A few more Western dishes would have been adored but not necessary! It was awesome! I’m so very grateful! THANK YOU 🥰

Got decked by a baby elephant

November 24, 2025by: August Nyenhuis - United StatesProgram: Travel For Teens: Thailand Elephant Service and Explorers

10

My summer at TFT was a dope experience 💯. The counselors and the other teens were super chill and made a whole new country feel like a home away from home. The program had the perfect balance of new cultural experiences, group activities, and community service. Every day was something new! Swimming with elephants, going to thai markets, hiking on a beautiful mountain, or learning how to cook noodles in bamboo shoots! We worked to make a big impact and long-lasting difference for the kids we helped and the schools we worked to renew. Where we worked to make a difference, we also made connections along the way. We connected with the Thai language, the food, the people, the wildlife, and each other. The experience goes hard🔥10/10! Recommend!!! <3

Teaching in Chiang Mai

October 30, 2025by: Charli r - AustraliaProgram: Volunteer in Thailand with IVI - Affordable Programs!

10

The trip was the most fulfilling, enriching and inspiring experience I have ever embarked upon 😊 It is my second time volunteering with IVI and each time I embark on a new teaching journey I seem to learn more, take new things away from the program and leave with new friends from all over the world! I was fortunate enough to volunteer in Chiang Mai, Thailand for 2 weeks wherein I got to teach at 2 schools within the local area. Each day was filled with joy, excitement, friendship, compassion and new opportunities to which I grasped with both hands. One of the most awesome things about volunteering abroad would be the everlasting friendships you create. I adored spending many of my afternoons exploring the local culture with both our coordinators and other volunteers as well as spending many late nights learning new languages, cultures and travel stories from across the world. These friendships hold a very special place in my heart and continue to flourish outside of the volunteer space. My favourite part of the volunteering had to be the lesson planning as it was the most rewarding experience when the lessons and games I had planned were so well received and enjoyed by the kids! If you are considering volunteering … this is definitely your sign as it is an unmatched experience that has countless affordances ❤️ The local team made my stay like home wherein I became apart of this close knit family. We were all so well looked after, with all facilities well maintained, drivers readily available, existing connections across all of Chiang Mai and major attractions we all wanted to visit as well as endless resources to utilise within the classroom setting. The food was definitely locally sourced with many dishes being traditional to Thailand however the food was well prepared and delicious. A few more Western dishes would have been adored but not necessary! It was awesome! I’m so very grateful! THANK YOU 🥰