Volunteer in Thailand
Thailand Overview
Best project in Asia to develop new teaching skills
Now booking last summer spaces 2013
Volunteer in Thailand where English is highly valued and native teachers hard to find. Volunteering Abroad in Thailand provides an unrivalled opportunity to live and work alongside local people away from the beaten tourist trail. No experience is required just an enthusiasm to get stuck in wherever you are needed. (see Thailand reviews).
After volunteering in Thailand, experience the hospitality and magical tropical beauty from the temples and grottoes to the idyllic islands of the south.
Volunteer work in Thailand offers exciting and variety of experiences in stunning locations just north of Phuket, along the Andaman coast. English speaking coordinators will arrange a school placement for you, help prepare you to get the most out of your teaching experience and be in regular contact and of assistance throughout your teaching placement. Friends and small groups of 2-3 arriving together are usually placed together and wherever possible volunteers arriving alone are paired up with an existing volunteer.
Voluntary work in Thailand focuses on English teaching but as the school can often be the focal point of a community you could also find yourself helping at sports days, presenting awards at school ceremonies or even helping on school trips.
Teaching in Thailand is a very rewarding experience. You will join an established organisation which will coach you in its easy but successful method of teaching 'spoken English'. You will prepare classes with the Head of English and travel with others to schools to give lessons in schools that really appreciate you. All lessons follow the national curriculum so you will be confident in the knowledge that your contribution is needed and is making a difference. Poorer schools are targetted, those which cannot afford to hire a native English speaker. These poorer students without English cannot access higher education and university without passing the national examiniations in English, but it is just these poorer schools which cannot provide adequate English teaching to be able to pass the exams. Thai English teachers are proficient at written English and grammar but lacking in oral practise so you can be sure you are not replacing a valuable teacher, but instead be filling a much needed gap.
Teaching English in Thailand is an exciting opportunity to discover a new culture, and take part in a life changing experience that you will never forget. The hugs the children give you will show that! A certificate to reflect your contribution is provided to volunteers who stay for at least two full weeks of volunteering. References are available for long-term volunteers.
Images from Thailand
Country: Thailand
Book your placement with £125. Then pay £13.50 for midweek hotel accommodation.
Your memories
We have been sent some of the most lovely photos from volunteers at play and at work, they are truly inspirational.
Photo Album by volunteer Alice Roberts
Photo Album by volunteer Ashley Reddyhoff
Photo Album by volunteer Fiona Elliot
Photo Album by volunteer Lauren Newman
Photo Album by volunteer Nicole Darroch
Photo Album by volunteer Rachael Simms
What next?
If you would like to book over the phone or simply ask more questions please call us on 01603 627 007
See related video ‘How to book’
If you know where and when you want to go, then you can book online.
You can also change your date of arrival or country at any time.
Trip info for Thailand
Country: Thailand
Book your placement with £125. Then pay £125 Thailand support fee and £13.50 for midweek hotel accommodation.
Change lives and volunteer in Thailand 2013 - 2014
Volunteer in Thailand
Soak up cultural atmosphere as you live the life of a local during your volunteering experience. Volunteers help out in schools, teaching English and teaching in the local community, in the Andaman coast region of Thailand, from small villages to rural towns. School placements are allocated on arrival, and the coordinator will try to keep friends together and consider preferences wherever possible. As soon as you arrive at your school, the teachers warmly welcome volunteers, and you will feel right at home. Teaching English to the school children will be a rewarding and a fun experience as you see your class progress. After your volunteering, there is plenty to see and do in Thailand. Many volunteers head to the beautiful beaches within easy reach. Visit the James Bond Island in Phuket and visit where the Leonardo Dicaprio film ‘The Beach’ was set.
Skills and Experience, no experience is required in Thailand. You do not need to have any previous teaching experience, in fact the majority of our volunteers have never taught a class before. You must speak English as fluently as a native speaker; the schools are extremely appreciative to have native English speakers, who can provide an opportunity for their students to practice. It is not necessary to prepare for teaching before travel. All preparation is made in Thailand and resources are available.
What's included
Accommodation: Accommodation is organised by the school you are volunteering at. The first two nights in town upon arrival are included,
Airport Pick-up: Pick-up in Phuket is organised for you if required. This costs 1000 baht, and is payable on arrival. The price will vary when two people share a taxi. An English speaking coordinator is present and will be available for you to contact throughout the duration of your trip.
We consider this project ideal if you...
- Want to try out teaching English or gain valuable classroom experience.
- Want to learn about Thai culture and customs as an insider-not as a tourist.
- Want to use your volunteering as preparation for travel around the region.
- You are looking for a more challenging placement where you will need to rely on and test your own interpersonal skills and 'out of the box' thinking amongst local people.
What's not included
Flights
Insurance
Visas
Meals
Highlights
Opportunity to create your own experience and learn new skills living amongst locals.
Stunning, tropical beaches offer a peaceful getaway in Thailand
Local support
Local support is provided by the school staff. An English speaking co-ordinator in town can be reached by email and telephone for any advice during your stay. There are usually weekly team meetings that volunteers can attend. This is a great way to meet other volunteers if you are staying at your school.
Local facilities
All the local facilities, cafés, bars, restaurants, shops and banks are available in most towns and all within easy reach at the weekend.
What to take
Once you have applied and registered with Original Volunteers, you will receive an Information Pack via email that will have further details on the project in Thailand; in this email there will be a list of items to take and items that are best not to take.
How to apply
It is quick an easy to book with Original Volunteers. You can book online or call us on now on 01603 627 007 and book over the phone.
See related video ‘How to book’.
It costs £125 to book. Once book you can go to as many placements as you want within a year without having to pay the booking fee of £125 again.
The booking fee instantly books and reserves your place for any month you choose .We are very flexible. Just let us know if your plans change and spaces permitting we will put you on another list.
Fast facts - Project information
Project Duration: Min 2 weeks - Max 12 weeks
Location of project: Andaman coast region within 50 mile radius of Khao Lak
Arrival Airport: Phuket
Getting to the project: Airport pick-up and transfer is automatically arranged for all volunteers once flights have been received.Activities: Teaching English
Working Hours: Full time. Weekends:free.
Requirements: Minimum age 18
On arrival
Airport pick-up from Phuket is provided to every volunteer for approximately £20-£30, payable locally.
Food
Thailand is a self-catering project. Some schools provide meals. When not at school volunteers eat out in nearby cafes.
Free time
They maybe a beach nearby but if not then the coast will never be too far away. The most popular tourist visits in Thailand are the beaches. Whether it’s a busy hustle and bustle beach full of noise and happenings or a quiet and peaceful beach where you can relax, you will always find something to suit your mood. Volunteers can kayak and swim.
Getting around
Buses are the main form of transport in Thailand. A trip to Phuket by bus costs about £2 each way, a visit to the local market costs about £1 each way, per person, of two people share a taxi.
Not on your own
Although some volunteers travel with friends, the bigger majority travel alone and make friends on arrival. It is possible to get in contact with other volunteers before your travel through out buddy list, and a lot of people tend to do this. Some volunteers even plan to travel together and set this up themselves before they depart.
Things that you will need to organise yourself
Flights to Phuket
Visas
Travel Insurance
Any resources you wish to bring
Food
When to pay for this project
The support fee for Thailand £125 is paid before arrival and includes the first two nights of accommodation in Khao Lak town in addition the first two midweeks hotel accommodation near your school placement. Weekend accommodation is payable in Thailand on a pay-as-you-go basis depending on where volunteers choose to stay as many volunteers travel and sightsee in the Phuket area. Extensions over 2 weeks are on pay-as-you-go basis, if known if advance we will inform the local team for you so they are aware.
Thailand at a glance
Thailand is an independant country that is situated in the heart of southeast Asia. Burma and Laos border Thailand from the north, Cambodia to the east, from the south by the Guld of Thailand and Malaysia and the Andaman sea from the west. In terms of total area mass, Thailand is the world's 50th largest country. The current king, Bhumibol Adulyadej, has ruled since 1946 and is currently the world's longest serving head of state.
Thailand is a wondrous kingdom, featuring Buddhist temples, exotic wildlife, and spectacular islands. Along with a fascinating history and a unique culture that includes delectable Thai food. At the end of your volunteering placement, take a boat trip through Bangkok's Floating Market, or along the klongs, a network of canals leading off the river, and lined with dwellings opening directly on to the water. Life has changed little for those living along the klongs.
Take in a muay thai (Thai kick-boxing) match; this traditional sport can be seen every day of the year at the major stadiums in the provinces. Thai boxing matches are preceded by elaborate ceremonies and accompanied by lively music. Head off after your volunteering to enjoy Thailand's thousands of kilometres of coastline. Have a go at sea canoeing and kayaking through the spectacular limestone islands in Phang Nga Bay and explore the half-submerged caves and grottoes.
Language: English is widely understood, particularly in Phuket and in the South where it is almost the major commercial language although a Thai phrasebook and dictionary will be a good idea whilst on your placement.
Climate: Thailand has a tropical climate with high temperatures. Temperatures range from 20 Celsius to 35 Celsius. The hottest month is July. November to february are the coolest months and is usually a pleasant time to visit as the heat is more manageable.
Time difference from UK: GMT +7 hrs
Climate
Thailand has a tropical climate, with high temperatures. Temperatures in Bangkok range from 20 Celsius to 35 Celsius. November to February are the coolest months and is usually a pleasant time to visit as the heat is more tolerable.
