Grassroots Organization Volunteering in Thailand

At International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ), we unite people from over 96 countries who want to make a meaningful difference while exploring the world. With 300+ projects in 40+ destinations, IVHQ offers the widest selection of volunteer programs globally—from Teaching and Childcare to Wildlife Conservation, Medical Outreach, and Environmental Sustainability. Since 2007, IVHQ has supported over 147,000 volunteers on life-changing journeys. We specialize in fully-hosted volunteer trips that are safe, affordable, and accessible—starting from just $20 per day. Your experience includes airport pick-up, accommodation, meals, and round-the-clock support from our local teams. With flexible booking options and no change fees, planning your volunteer adventure has never been easier. Our programs run year-round and are available for 1 to 24 weeks across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Pacific, South and Central America, North America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. Volunteering with IVHQ is about more than giving back—it’s about growing, learning, and building genuine global connections.

Find out why more and more people are choosing to become a Love Volunteer! Love Volunteers is the most affordable way to volunteer and help local communities in developing countries! Why are we cheaper than other organisations? Firstly, we are just a handful of passionate people working hard to help volunteers and local communities around the world. We don't have huge overheads - no company cars, no downtown office - we're just volunteers who knew we could do a better job. Secondly, we work with local organisations wherever we can to keep administration costs to a minimum and also to feed as much money and skills into the local communities where we operate. All of Love Volunteers partner organisations have been fully vetted to ensure that, not only does a genuine need for assistance exist, but that the environments that we place our volunteers are safe and of high quality. Choose from one or more of our 200+ amazing community-based programs in 37 developing countries around the world. Every program has been personally visited by one of our dedicated staff members and is regularly audited to ensure it meets our high standards in terms of safety, sustainability, and local impact.

Looking to apply your talent and expertise to a good cause? Find a program that matches your interests and skills through Volunteer World! We are the largest volunteer abroad comparison platform around the globe, enabling you to seek and compare offers from major travel agencies as well as smaller grassroots NGOs and local specialists in more than 80 countries. All these with just one click! Find projects in wildlife, teaching, community development, and several other areas. Simply choose your desired destination and desired travel date, and our search engine will compare the best volunteer abroad programs on your behalf. Whether you wish to gain experience at a wildlife sanctuary in South Africa or teach English at a monastery in Nepal, we've got you covered. Volunteer World guarantees a quick and easy application. We will guide you through this process, as well as help plan your next meaningful trip. We provide free access to quality-checked projects and flexible options. And if anything goes wrong, we've got your back with our qualified support team and our refund guarantee.

Explore Southeast Asia on a 10-week journey through Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam—where travel becomes transformation. Volunteer at ethical elephant sanctuaries, trek to remote mountain villages, explore ancient temples, and engage with communities through meaningful, culturally respectful exchange. This program combines adventure, service, and immersion to help you grow personally and globally. Learn traditional crafts, share meals with host families, and experience resilience and hospitality in every community. Conservation work, ethical travel practices, and local partnerships ensure your impact is responsible and real. With leadership training, guided reflection, and mentorship built into the experience, you'll return more confident, connected, and prepared for what’s next. Whether you're taking a gap year, earning credit, building your resume, or seeking clarity and purpose, this journey meets you where you are—and helps you grow beyond it. Travel deeper. Grow bolder. Reach out to Learn More!

A region accentuated by the colorful robes of Buddhist monks, the vivid greens of rice fields and jungle forests, and the cultural diversity of hill tribe communities—this is the ultimate Southeast Asia semester. Each country offers a unique cultural experience unto itself, and each faces the challenge of reconciling urban expansion and industrialization with indigenous land rights, free movement of nomadic peoples, and equal access to resources. This semester, walk among ancient temples, traverse mountainous jungles, and explore the clear blue water of Thailand’s beaches. You’ll explore tradition, globalization, and human rights against the backdrop of two of Asia’s most complex nations. Immerse yourself in community life through homestays and visits to remote villages. Emerge with your self-awareness and perspective forever altered. 2025: CLOSED Spring 2026: February 25 - May 6 Fall 2026: September 24 - December 4

Help care for elephants at an elephant nursery, living the life of a mahout, and helping to protect Thailand’s vulnerable population of these magnificent creatures. Explore the ancient temples, buzzing markets of Chiang Mai, and the unspoiled beauty of the northern Thai countryside. At the elephant sanctuary, where you’ll spend the bulk of your trip, rescued elephants are cared for by expert mahouts, who you’ll work alongside and learn from. You’ll immerse yourself in the life of a mahout, rising early to walk and bathe the elephants, collecting grass for meals, and feeding them. As you work, you’ll learn about these beautiful, intelligent creatures and gain a deeper respect and appreciation for their relationship with humans. In addition to our interactions at the elephant sanctuary, we’ll delve into the ancient history and culture of Chiang Mai, exploring beautiful monasteries and savoring Thai cuisine at food markets. We’ll also venture into the beautiful countryside of Northern Thailand, experiencing all that the country has to offer.

Length: 4-6 months | Intakes: January 2026 Join the Global Leadership Programme, designed to provide you with hands-on experience supporting the work of an international development charity. We are looking for passionate graduates, who are keen to learn about global challenges, work with youth and define their own purpose. After an initial period of training, you will be placed in one of our overseas hubs as a Group Mentor and Project Implementor, you will be supporting our in-country team through coordinating group projects and supporting our project participants on their journey to becoming global citizens. Your days will be filled with exciting challenges and fulfilling experiences, including: 1. Coordinating and delivering impactful project activities with our local partners. 2. Embark on a leadership role as you guide your group of project participants through immersive and exciting cultural activities. 3. Engage your group in reflective discussions and interactive sessions to foster personal growth. 4. Reporting on the progress and success of all international project participants and community development project delivery activities.

Experience the true colors of Thailand! GIVE’s Thailand Immersion Excursion places you in the heart of colorful hill tribe communities throughout Northern Thailand. This unique program enables you to connect with rural villagers by immersing yourself in their culture and way of life, living like a local. Positively impact their communities through participation in our volunteer initiatives and make life-long connections with the incredible people you’ll meet along the way! The trip culminates with a bamboo rafting journey down the Mae Tang River, stopping along the way to learn about elephant conservation and trek through the jungle to find these majestic giants. Thailand is the perfect introduction to this fascinating region of the world; take it one step further by adding the Elephant Experience add-on for an additional week. Note: All Southeast Asia programs and add-ons can be combined for the ultimate Southeast Asia Experience (travel up to 7 weeks!)

Thailand is well known for its great hospitality and foreigner-friendly people. It is one of the major travel destinations in Asia due to its beautiful natural resorts, everlasting summer, and mystical history. An internship in Thailand will enhance your career by giving you a foothold in one of the quickest growing economies in Southeast Asia. Learn what it means to gain real-life work experience in a completely different culture. From meditating in an ancient Buddhist temple to overlooking the modern city skyline, your senses will be overwhelmed by experiences: ・Go jungle trekking in Chiang Mai. ・Party like there’s no tomorrow at a Full Moon Party. ・Bathe an elephant in Chiang Mai. ・Try Snorkeling in Koh Phi Phi
. As your gateway to Asia, Meiji Internships will accompany you throughout your journey. Kick-start your international career with an unforgettable internship adventure in your industry and destination of choice. We work with an extended network of 400+ partner companies in 8 countries to help pave the way for your future! You create your journey! Broaden not just your horizon, but also your professional network in the Far East!

Kindred Spirit is looking for volunteers to come out and help its new elephant sanctuary in northern Thailand. The sanctuary has just rescued four elephants from the tourism industry, and it has brought them home to live out their lives in the forest, in semi-wild conditions. The sanctuary needs volunteers to help keep these elephants happy and healthy in their natural habitat. Volunteers will carry out health checks, perform research on their natural behaviors and the surrounding forest, and take part in community projects, such as teaching English at a school and to other locals, cutting grass for the elephants during the dry season, helping out in the fields, planting and harvesting crops, and educating both locals and tourists on the captive elephant situation in Thailand to help combat illegal trade. Days begin with early morning hikes through the forest to find the elephants, staying with them while observing and taking data on their natural behaviors until lunch. Some days, lunch is eaten with the elephants in the forest. Upon returning to the village, community projects are carried out.

Join Hope for Strays in Thailand and make a meaningful difference in the lives of stray animals while visiting this beautiful country. Our volunteer program is designed for compassionate individuals who are passionate about animal welfare and eager to contribute to a vital cause. By participating in this program, you'll help provide care, shelter, and love to animals in need while experiencing the rich culture of Thailand. During your stay, you'll be involved in various activities such as feeding, grooming, and socializing the animals, as well as assisting with medical treatments and rescue operations. This immersive experience not only benefits the animals but also provides you with a unique opportunity to develop new skills, forge lasting friendships, and gain a deeper understanding of animal rescue operations. Volunteering while visiting Thailand will make your trip even more meaningful and memorable.