It’s no secret that Thailand is a place of beauty. The juxtaposed cultural nuances of modernity and tradition, usher even the most seasoned traveller into new experiences that they won’t have had, anywhere else in the world. One of the best ways to see Thailand, in terms of both cost and experience, is to volunteer. Here are our top 4 places to volunteer in Thailand to get the most out of your experience.
Orphanage
Situated in Chiang Mai, the orphanage program is at the heart of a bustling city whose inhabitants are used to a slightly more fast-paced way of living. The children you’ll be looking after are as keen as anything to get to know you and your interesting and unusual western cultures. You have to approach such an opportunity with an open mind as you’ll be asked to participate in everything from cooking to gardening. The best thing about this type of opportunity is that you’ll be making easy a life that may otherwise have been difficult.
Elephant Camp
Everyone loves an elephant. Working with them is as awesome as you’d imagine. As Elephants are a national symbol in Thailand, there are some unfortunate consequences. Tourists bring money into the country and tourists want to see elephants. Some tourists want to ride elephants and it’s common knowledge that most of the elephants in Thailand are ill-treated. One of the best things you can do is work in an elephant sanctuary, as the more volunteers they have, the more elephants they can save. Food, accommodation, nourishment for the soul – all provided.
Teach English to Monks
In an ever growing, international Buddhist revolution, the monks in Thailand need to learn English in order to spread the teachings of the Buddha himself. What better way than from a native English speaker? Monks are fascinating people, who are wise to the world in which they live in ways that we can only guess at. Teaching them English is a joy, as watching them progress and watching them enjoy their progression, is completely unique to this experience.
Media Internship
If you’re already involved in media, this is the perfect opportunity to hone skills you have and gather skills you don’t. Thailand, as with many other East Asian countries, has a very rich media culture. Much of the Thai population is young and as a result their media consumption habits are largely similar to ours in the west. If you choose this option, you can enter a media company that publishes a periodical and learn skills like editorial writing, print and design, photography, marketing, web design and multimedia design. It’s a broad field and they accept a large number of applicants.
If you’re thinking of taking a chance and heading out to Thailand to try your hand at any of these volunteering opportunities, then jump in the car, park up at Heathrow and fly off to a brand new, soul nourishing adventure.
