Volunteer Adventures
Destination: Thailand
Locations
Bangkok, Chiang Rai, Koh Samet, Singburi, Wang Nam, Wat Thong
Duration
We recommend a four week adventure, but you can choose to stay from 1 week, to six months.
Start Dates
Placements start every Monday, throughout the year.
Costs
From €175 Euros per week. This includes all meals, accommodation, airport pickup, 24 hour support and a range of services available at the guest house.
* All the projects described below are completely customizable; they can be booked separately, or together as a trip. Contact us today, and we can help you create your ideal adventure.
Your career can be an adventure: Discover Thailand
This is your great adventure, and we want it to be perfect. You can make selections from any of the activities described in the following tabs to form your ideal schedule. We recommend a four-week trip that looks something like this:
Week 1: Cultural Immersion
We want you to feel welcome from the moment you arrive, so we have designed a Cultural Immersion Week to introduce you to the many experiences this incredible country has to offer. You’ll spend your first week exploring the local towns, and finding your way around. We’ll introduce you to the local food, and even give you some language lessons so you can communicate with the people you meet on your adventure.
*For more on Cultural Immersion click the Culture tab.
Weeks 2 and 3: Choose your project
In these weeks, your trip really becomes your own. You can choose to take part in whatever projects appeal to you the most; make your adventure whatever you want it to be.
If you’re interested in Education, or childcare you might choose to volunteer in a local school, or orphanage. You’ll have the chance to experience the education system in a foreign country, while helping those who’ll really benefit from your skills.
We’re also offering you the chance to get involved with a variety of Wildlife projects in Thailand. We’re working closely with an elephant sanctuary to provide placements for wildlife enthusiasts. Here, you’ll be able to help care for the animals at the sanctuary, and assist conservationists with their valuable research projects.
You might choose to get involved with local Reforestation projects, and help the people in a country still recovering from the effects of a devastating tsunami.
If you’re looking for a more physical challenge, you could take advantage of this country’s rich history of martial arts. We’re offering placements at the Thai Boxing training camp where you can learn a full contact sport from seasoned professionals.
*For more information on any of these experiences click the tabs above.
Week 4: Adventure
Spend the final week of your trip trekking through the countryside, and cycling around the ancient temples in this region. There’ll be plenty of time to relax during your adventure week; go swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing on the stunning beaches that Thailand is famous for. We’re confident that whatever you choose, this’ll be an adventure to remember forever.
*For more a more detailed itinerary click the Adventure tab above.
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Cultural Immersion Week
We want you to feel welcome in Thailand, so we’ve designed a fun-packed week to help ease you into your first experience of this country. We don’t want you to feel overwhelmed by all the new experiences you are going to have, so we’ll introduce you to the culture and traditions of the Thai people, and gently immerse you in this rich culture. You’ll get to taste the local food, and we’ll even teach you some useful phrases so you can communicate with the people you meet on your adventure.
Below is a schedule to give you an idea of what your first week will be like. It is only intended to be a rough guide; every schedule can be customised according to your choices.
Cost
€175 Euros per week, all inclusive.
Schedule
Day One
After breakfast, there’ll be a group meeting followed by a short walk around the village. We’ll show you some useful shops and facilities, then stop for lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we’ll visit a handicraft shop, then you’ll be treated to a special performance from a traditional Thai dance group at your welcoming party.
Day Two
You’ll spend your second day exploring the ancient ruins and art work of the ancient city of Ayutthaya; a city founded in 1350 by King U-Thong. Later on, we’ll visit the special “Elephant Village”, followed by dinner on the riverside.
Day Three
Your day starts early with a Thai language class, followed by a trip to some famous Buddhist temples at Wat Phranon Jaksi, near the guest house. This site features a huge reclining Buddha statue, and the Bang-Rachan hero monument. In the afternoon, you’ll have the chance to do some shopping, go swimming, or check your emails in the local village. Tonight, you’ll have dinner at a famous Thai barbecue restaurant.
Day Four
We’ll visit a local school in the morning, where you’ll join in with some of the classes. This is a great opportunity for you to share photos and souvenirs from home with the children; they’ll be fascinated to learn about the culture and traditions from your hometown.
In the afternoon, you’ll brush up on your cookery skills at a Thai cookery class, where you’ll learn about some of the key ingredients in Thai cooking, and cook your own dinner!
Day Five
You’ll spend the day travelling around the Lopburi province; there’s lots to see here, including the famous Somdet Phra Narai National Museum, and the Wat Phra Puthabat Temple. We’ll have lunch at a nearby restaurant before heading back to the guest house.
Day Six, and Seven
You’ll be free to enjoy your weekend however you choose, but if those who want to can choose to take some advanced language lessons, or hire transport to visit the local swimming pool. Whatever you choose to do, we’ll be available to help you get around.
Accommodation
You’ll stay at our eco-houses in Singburi during the trip. We can provide you with cooking, and laundry facilities during your stay, but we expect you to use resources like water, and electricity with restraint.
You’ll share you accommodation between two to three other adventurers, but can expect to have access to hot water 24 hours a day. All your meals will be provided for you; there’ll be a large selection of local dishes, and plenty of choice for vegetarians.
We want your stay to be comfortable, and exciting; if there is anything we can do to help, all you need to do is ask. Our staff are extremely friendly and will be happy to help you organise transport to get around; or just share their local knowledge.
Live with Hill Tribes in Thailand: A Unique Experience
This week is about immersing yourself in the culture of a disadvantaged minority in the hills of Thailand. You’ll explore some of the most beautiful locations the country has to offer, as you learn about a fascinating culture.
We’re offering you the opportunity to teach in one of the most beautiful places in Thailand; you’ll get to stay with the Akha people, and learn about their distinctive culture, while helping them at school, and renovating their town.
There are a number of initiatives for you to get involved with on the Hill Tribe Program: You can help build a Cultural Study Centre in the village; volunteer in the rice fields; help build an agricultural centre to help the Akha make fertilizer, and animal feed; or you might choose to teach English to the children at local schools. Whatever you choose to do, this will be a unique experience of Thai culture.
Cost
€350 Euros per week, all inclusive.
Schedule
The Akha are a spontaneous indigenous people; following a precise schedule is not part of their culture, but we’ll guarantee that this will be a week you’ll never forget. You might be asked to help teach at the village school, or help with gardening projects.
We’ll spend time visiting local markets, and learning how to haggle in Thai. You’ll help out with construction, and renovation projects in the village; and visit the famous White Temple (Wat Rong Khun). We’ll go for a two-day trek into the jungle, where you’ll sleep in a tent, and experience Thailand in a truly unique way.
Accommodation
You’ll stay at a guest house during Hill Tribe Week. Facilities will be very basic during your stay, and you should expect to wash your clothes by hand. Your meals will be provided for you, and will be local dishes.
Two nights of the trip will be spent trekking in the jungle, where you’ll stay overnight in tents. We’ll provide the tents and food for those two days, but you should bring a sleeping bag, and plenty of insect repellent!
Thai Buddhist Culture Week: A Religious Experience
If you choose to take part in this week, you’ll get the chance to learn more about Thai culture, and Buddhist practices. We want to make this week interactive, and to let you experience the life of a Buddhist monk firsthand. You’ll practise meditation, and chanting in a quiet, spiritual environment, and understand more about the lives of these dedicated people.
This week is designed to immerse you in the religious practices of Buddhism, and you’ll have the opportunity to spend one night at Wat Suptawee temple. Meditation and prayer will take up most of your time this week, but you’ll also have the chance to follow the monks as they collect alms in the morning. There’ll be plenty of opportunities to talk to the monks about their lifestyle, and learn about the Lord Buddha.
You’ll be expected to be calm, and quiet during your time at the temple; this is an experience designed for people who are deeply interested in the Buddhist lifestyle. There are strict rules regarding male and female contact within the monastery, and you should expect to stay in single-sex dormitories during your stay. Women should be cautious throughout, as they’re not permitted to touch the monks at all. You should wear loose fitting clothes that are not see-through while at the temple; if you don’t have any, you’ll be expected to buy some before you arrive.
After leaving the temple, you’ll make your way to Nakhonrachasima City, where they’ll be plenty of time to relax, and go sightseeing.
Cost
€350 Euros per week, all inclusive.
Accommodation
You’ll stay at the eco-house in Singburi at the beginning and end of your trip. You’ll spend Wednesday night at the temple, before heading to a hotel in Nakhonrachasima City the following night. You’ll be expected to treat the temple with respect, and help to clean it during your stay.
All your meals will be provided, but there is a good chance you won’t eat while at the temple on Wednesday; monks only eat once a day, and we won’t arrive until after their meal.
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Teaching Placements: Helping the Children of Thailand
Whether you are a teacher, or just enjoy working with children, you should consider including this project in your adventure plans.
Our teaching placements are designed to give people who are interested in pursuing a career in a specific field their first taste of what it might be like. We also want them to provide professionals who’ve already chosen their career path a unique experience that will help them to develop new skills, and present new opportunities.
You don’t need to have any previous teaching experience to get involved with this project.
The Project
You’re invited to teach English, and Special Education; which might include other subjects like arts and crafts, sports, athletics, and even computing. Our schools encourage a non-formal approach to teaching, so you can deliver lessons however you choose; the methods of teaching are less important to us than your attitude to working with children. Our aim is to motivate children to learn, and teach them about good social and moral behaviour.
You should have good levels of spoken and written English, and enjoy working with children. Previous teaching experience will be appreciated, but it’s not necessary to be involved with this project.
Some of our placements are only looking for unpaid volunteers, but the experiences that they offer are unique and invaluable to your career progression. New projects are cropping up all the time, so bookmark us to keep track of our future projects.
Check out our paid internships here.
Cost
€175 per week - all-inclusive
Schedule
You’ll be expected to teach up to five hours a day, from Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.. It’s common in Thai schools to hold a morning ceremony at around 8:00 a.m. to show respect for the King of Thailand; it’s likely that you’ll be asked to take part in the ceremony on some days.
Your timetable will be flexible; it’ll include plenty of time for you to plan, and prepare lessons; reflect, and evaluate on your work so far; and compare your experiences with other members of staff.
Bringing gifts to share with students, and staff members is often a great way to break the ice on your first day. In our experience, students are less interested in toys, but pictures of your family, home, or pet are always well received.
Thai schools break for holidays from the middle of March to the end of April; and again during October. During such times special classes and English camps are often arranged. If your adventure is taking place at these times, we could arrange for you to be involved with some English camps, or even experience some seasonal festivities.
Accommodation
You’ll stay at our eco-houses in Singburi during the trip. We can provide you with cooking, and laundry facilities during your stay, but we expect you to use resources like water, and electricity with restraint.
You’ll share you accommodation between two to three other adventurers, but can expect to have access to hot water 24 hours a day. All your meals will be provided for you; there’ll be a large selection of local dishes, and plenty of choice for vegetarians.
We want your stay to be comfortable, and exciting; if there is anything we can do to help, all you need to do is ask. Our staff are extremely friendly and will be happy to help you organise transport to get around; or just share their local knowledge.
Childcare Placements: Volunteer at an Orphanage
People interested in following a career in social work or childcare might want to consider a placement at a Thai orphanage. Working with children can be a challenging, but hugely rewarding job. Volunteering at an orphanage offers you the chance to make a difference to the lives of children who have lost their parents, and who desperately need support and guidance. It’s a fantastic way to offer valuable help to people who need it, while still moving forward in your chosen profession.
The Project
Many of the large orphanages in Thailand provide their own primary, and secondary schools within their grounds. Not only do they provide housing for the children in the area, but many are also open to poor families; they offer shelter, food, and educational materials to the people who live nearby.
You’ll have the chance to be involved in every part of the orphanage effort. You’ll be teaching English to the children at the schools; organizing lessons to teach them about environmental issues, and personal care; gardening in the vegetable patch; and even doing some basic construction work.
Cost
€175 per week - all-inclusive
Schedule
You’ll be expected to work at the orphanage from Monday to Friday, from 9:00 a.m. onwards. Our coordinators will work closely with you when you arrive to make sure we provide the best schedule for you according to your skills. We’ll provide you with lunch at a nearby restaurant.
Wednesdays will be a half-day, and we’ll reward your hard work with a trip to the local swimming pool, and a special dinner.
Accommodation
You’ll stay at our eco-houses in Singburi during the trip. We can provide you with cooking, and laundry facilities during your stay, but we expect you to use resources like water, and electricity with restraint.
You’ll share you accommodation between two to three other adventurers, but can expect to have access to hot water 24 hours a day. All your meals will be provided for you; there’ll be a large selection of local dishes, and plenty of choice for vegetarians.
We want your stay to be comfortable, and exciting; if there is anything we can do to help, all you need to do is ask. Our staff are extremely friendly and will be happy to help you organise transport to get around; or just share their local knowledge.
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Cycling Tour: The Ride of a Lifetime
We invite you to ride with us to see the two different sides of Thailand; travel through the stunning countryside of rural Thailand; and explore a mega city, Bangkok, on two wheels. This experience is designed for people who enjoy an active lifestyle, and have a sense of adventure. It’s a magnificent way to discover Thailand.
Your tour will take you through Khao Yai; one of the largest National Parks in Thailand. You’ll have the chance to see elephants, bears, and tigers as you cycle across the park. We’ll take you to the beautiful region of Wang Nam Kieo, famous for its grape, orchid, and mushroom farms.
This is more than just a cycling tour, it’s a cultural experience that will help you understand more about the country and its people.
If you would rather leave the bike behind, we can organise a Trekking Tour for you, which follows a very similar route (excluding Bangkok).
Cost
€350 per week, all inclusive.
Schedule
Your exact schedule will be subject to change depending on the seasons, and weather. The schedule listed below is intended to give you a fair idea of what to expect on the trip.
Day One
You’ll arrive in Wang Nam Kieo and check in at our Greenway Forest View resort, overlooking Khao Yai National Park. There’ll be a short briefing about the weeks schedule, and we’ll answer any questions you might have.
After lunch, we’ll go for a short tour around the resort, before returning to the eco-house for dinner. There’ll be a welcome party featuring a performance of traditional Thai dance by the students of a local dance school.
Day Two
We’ll start early, visiting the farms, and vineyards where you’ll see how local wine is produced. You’ll taste some other local produce from the farms during lunch, and you’ll visit an environmental project in the afternoon. In the evening, you’ll have the chance to experience a traditional Thai massage.
Day Three
We’ll tackle some rugged terrain in the morning as we make our way through the jungle to the spectacular waterfalls; you’ll be able to swim in the plunge pools as we relax and enjoy a picnic in the Khao Yai jungle. We’ll have a delicious barbecue in the evening, and enjoy a karaoke party in the forest!
Day Four
After a good breakfast, we’ll make our way to Bangkok. Once we arrive, we’ll check in to our hotel, then walk around China town. After lunch, you’ll get unique view of the city as we explore it by bike.
Day Five
There’ll be more opportunities to cycle around Bangkok, and experience life in the city. Your last cycle tour will finish around noon, and we’ll head back to Singburi. From there, we can arrange transport to the airport, or transfers to the next part of your adventure.
Accommodation
You’ll stay at our eco-houses in Wang Nam Kieo for most of your trip, and transfer to a hotel in Bangkok for the final few days. We can provide you with cooking, and laundry facilities during your stay, but we expect you to use resources like water, and electricity with restraint.
You’ll share you accommodation between two to three other adventurers, but can expect to have access to hot water 24 hours a day. All your meals will be provided for you; there’ll be a large selection of local dishes, and plenty of choice for vegetarians.
If you choose the Trekking Tour, you’ll spend your nights under canvas in Khao Yai National Park. We’ll provide all camping equipment, and food during this week.
We want your stay to be comfortable, and exciting; if there’s anything we can do to help, all you need to do is ask. Our staff are extremely friendly and will be happy to help you organise transport to get around; or just share their local knowledge.
Beach Week: Rest and Recover
If you want to relax and enjoy the beaches the Thailand is famous for, then this week is just for you! Ko Samet offers plenty of restaurants, shops, and bars on its pristine beaches, and crystal seas. This week will give you the chance to explore this tropical paradise, with plenty of time to relax and top up your tan.
Cost
€350 per week, all inclusive.
Schedule
“Schedule” is a word we’ll use lightly, this week. Once you check in at the beach resort, your time will be your own. You can enjoy your days on the glorious beaches reading, swimming, or sunbathing. We’ll arrange a boat trip for everyone midweek, and give you the chance to go snorkelling in the crystal-clear waters of the Gulf of Thailand. This will be a week you’ll never forget.
Accommodation
You’ll share a double room at our beach resort with another adventurer. The doors and windows are screened to protect you from insects, and have fans that’ll keep you cool. You’ll have plenty of hot water, and electricity, but we do expect our guests to use these valuable resources with restraint. Laundry facilities are limited, so you should expect to wash your clothes by hand during your stay.
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Conservation in Thailand: Volunteer at an Elephant Sanctuary
Estimates from the WWF suggest that there are between two and three thousand elephants living wild in Thailand. These animals are competing for land with villagers, and farmers, which is causing their numbers to fall steadily.
The Project
The domesticated elephants of Thailand live a strange and unhealthy life; begging for food on the streets of Bangkok, and performing tricks for tourists. Our sanctuary was founded by a rich individual who was sympathetic to the plight of these elephants; they are unable to return to the wild to feed themselves, so they need help if they’re going to survive.
Our aim is to provide the best care we can for the domesticated elephants in this region of Thailand. We provide elephants with food, shelter, medicine, and exercise so they can stay healthy.
Cost
€350 per week, all-inclusive
Schedule
You’ll work closely with our trained staff at the sanctuary to provide care for our elephants. We’ll provide you a flexible schedule when you arrive, but you’ll be expected to work a few hours a day from Monday to Friday.
You’ll learn about the social problems faced by elephants in Thailand, and help our staff with their work to combat them. Your daily chores might include washing, and feeding the elephants; cleaning their enclosures; and joining them for the daily exercise.
We’ll provide plenty of opportunities to ride the elephants, and take photos. We can also organise a rafting trip during the weekend, for anyone who’s interested.
Accommodation
You’ll stay at our eco-houses in Singburi during the trip. We can provide you with cooking, and laundry facilities during your stay, but we expect you to use resources like water, and electricity with restraint.
You’ll share you accommodation between two to three other adventurers, but can expect to have access to hot water 24 hours a day. All your meals will be provided for you; there’ll be a large selection of local dishes, and plenty of choice for vegetarians.
We want your stay to be comfortable, and exciting; if there is anything we can do to help, all you need to do is ask. Our staff are extremely friendly and will be happy to help you organise transport to get around; or just share their local knowledge.
Forest Conservation: Plant the forests of the future
Experience a unique opportunity to work with local rangers, and help preserve the spectacular beauty of Thailand. If you’re interested in wildlife conservation, you should consider taking part in this project.
The Project
Our forestry project in Wang Nam Keow is devoted to protecting the forests in central Thailand. It’s a launch pad for other environmental projects, and works to raise the profile of other conservation projects in Thailand. The ecological centre is organising new projects and initiatives to educate local people about the importance of using resources responsibly, and preserving biodiversity in the region.
Cost
€350 per week, all-inclusive
Schedule
There’s plenty of exciting field work to get involved with, and we’ll create a schedule for you when you arrive. You can choose between planting trees; photographing, and monitoring wildlife for our researchers; Water management projects; and forest fire protection initiatives, to name a few.
You’ll be free at weekends to explore the local town, or do whatever you wish.
Accommodation
You’ll stay with us at our forest resort near Wang Nam Keow, in the Nakhon Ratchasima Province. You’ll stay in our eco-houses, or in private rooms during your stay; each room has a private bathroom with shower facilities. Laundry facilities are limited; you should expect to wash your clothes by hand during your trip.
The resort has a communal area where you can eat, relax, and share your experiences with other Global Nomads; and there is a makeshift bar run by friendly locals within walking distance.
Wang Nam Keow, the nearest town, is thirty-minutes from the forest resort, and has all the amenities you might need; internet cafes, pharmacies, banks, and a hospital. There are plenty of restaurants there, and we’d be happy to help organise transport to take you there should you wish to visit in your free time.
* All schedules are subject to changes in weather and may be altered at any time. Thailand has a tropical climate, and occasionally experiences violent tropical storms.
Muay Thai Training: A Kick-ass Adventure
This excellent training programme gives you the opportunity to either polish your skills, or learn the basics. Muay Thai is the national sport of Thailand, so there’s no better place to learn this popular martial art.
You’ll train in all elements of Muay Thai, and focus on improving your agility, speed, and balance. Your instructor will teach you important drills, and techniques that will help you on your way to becoming a master of the “art of eight limbs.”
This program is designed for active, and fit people. Training is extremely physical; we expect you to bring a positive attitude, and plenty of energy. We don’t want to hear you complaining about the pain!
We recommend staying for a minimum of two weeks if you want to get a good grasp of the basics of Muay Thai. You can extend your trip for as long as you wish.
Cost
From €175 per week, all inclusive.
Schedule
A typical day will start with a one hour warm up, followed by three hours of conditioning and individual training with our experienced instructor. You’ll have a co-ordinator on hand to translate for you, and to give you some language lessons to help you understand your instructor.
In the afternoon, you can choose to continue with more training, or travel to a nearby swimming pool to relax; it’s about 14 km away. There’s even the option to have some Tae Kwon Do lessons before dinner.
During weekends, you’ll be free to explore; we can even help organise some transport to take you to Bangkok. If you reach competition level, you might be invited to compete against local boxers, but this is optional and usually requires special insurance. You’ll also have the chance to attend some exhibition fights, and soak up the electrifying atmosphere of fight nights.
Accommodation
You’ll stay at our eco-houses in Singburi during the trip. We can provide you with cooking, and laundry facilities during your stay, but we expect you to use resources like water, and electricity with restraint.
You’ll share you accommodation between two to three other adventurers, but can expect to have access to hot water 24 hours a day. All your meals will be provided for you; there’ll be a large selection of local dishes, and plenty of choice for vegetarians.
We want your stay to be comfortable, and exciting; if there is anything we can do to help, all you need to do is ask. Our staff are extremely friendly and will be happy to help you organise transport to get around; or just share their local knowledge.
Fee:
Volunteer / Culture / Thai Boxing - €175 per week
Buddhism Tour / Hilltribe / Adventures / Wildlife / Thai Boxing - €350 per week
* Places are secured with a 20% deposit. Balance is due 4 weeks prior to your departure.
What's Included:
Project Fee includes all food, accommodation, airport pickup, orientation, 24 hour support and project activities.
What's not included:
Flights, insurance, visas and vaccinations. Full assistance will be provided in getting all these sorted.
* 50% discount available for 5-14 year olds. Under 5's are free. Under 18 year olds can attend with letter of permission from your guardian.
Send us an email to find out more, or click the 'Join this Project' button below to fill out our online application form.