Volunteer Opportunities in Thailand
There are many reasons that Thailand is such a great destination for volunteering abroad. It has so much to offer - a diverse culture, opportunities for adventure, beautiful beaches and incredible sights that will leave you speechless. It has also become a very popular travel destination for volunteers who want to work with local nonprofit organizations in Thailand. Thailand is home to amazing tropical oceans, where you can go diving and snorkeling at any spot in the country. Volunteering opportunities include teaching, animal care, forest preservation, working with the disabled, and more. Thailand’s people are eager to learn, especially the English language, so if you’re an English speaker, you can really contribute to Thailand’s growing sector of nonprofits.Volunteer Abroad with Local Non-Profits
Featured Non-Profits
Bannongmataeng School
We are a government school with 19 teachers and 280 students. We work together to create an environment conductive for learning and growth.
Minmahaw School
Minmahaw is a post-secondary school for underprivileged Myanmar students (aged 17 - 23). It introduces the students to an international-style experiential education taught by foreign and local volunteers in an immersive English environment.
12 ReviewsProject Umbrella Burma
Project Umbrella Burma is a small Canadian non-profit organization, founded in 2002. PUB provides direct aid for education and healthcare on the Thai-Burma border. We work with Karen people who are in Thailand as refugees from Myanmar.
3 ReviewsHow to Volunteer in Thailand
How to find volunteer opportunities in Thailand
Thailand is known for its beautiful landmarks and scenery. You can choose to volunteer in the island-flocked environment of the South, or you can explore the more isolated mountains of the North, visiting populated cities like Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. One of the most popular volunteer opportunities in Thailand includes teaching English mostly to children but also to young Buddhist monks, who are the cornerstone of religion and spirituality in Thailand. Many volunteer programs also involve empowering Burmese migrants through education and community development. Volunteers who prefer field work can take care of animals on local farms, take part in agriculture and rural development projects, preserve mangrove forests, and much more. With such a wide range of volunteer projects to choose from, everybody can find a way to contribute to the local communities of Thailand!
Best time to volunteer in Thailand
It’s recommended to travel to Thailand during the cooler months of the year. The autumn and winter seasons in Thailand are breathtakingly cool and breezy, without being too cold, and the summer months tend to run warm. However, there is still a lot of volunteer work that can be performed and enjoyed during any time of the year! If you visit between the months of November and April, you will experience a celebration of two of Thailand’s most important holidays: Loy Krathong (The Festival of Lights), and Songkran (The New Year).
Essential information about Thailand
Thailand requires a special visa for tourists entering the country with the purpose of doing volunteer work. It is called a Non-Immigrant O Visa, and in order to apply for it, you will need a passport, two photographs, a visa application form, over $500 to your name, and a letter from your volunteer organization. The main language of the region is Thai, and many classes are available to help you communicate while you are abroad. Another incredible advantage to volunteering in Thailand is that the daily cost of living is extremely low. When backpacking, you can survive off of just $25 a day - and some small apartments cost less than $300 a month! Volunteering in Thailand is easier now than it ever has been, and the opportunities are endless!