Short Term Volunteer Opportunities in Thailand

A Weekend Trip with Volunteer Spirit

The Kids are helping, too!

Have you been wondering how you might be able to volunteer in Thailand while you’re here visiting or living in the Land of Smiles? I’m going to give you a run down of different organizations suited to those passing through or longer-term opportunities for ex-pats or travellers. The following organizations are most suited to those who want a short-term volunteer experience in Thailand.

1. Volunteer Spirit
First let’s start out with short-term opportunities in Thailand. There is an organization called Volunteer Spirit which is mostly targeted to Thais, but I’ve been on one of their trips and it’s been a fantastic way to get to know some very friendly and interesting Thai people and get a real flavor for the country. Unfortunately, their website is in Thai but if you drop them a line they can let you know if they have anything going on when you’re here. They organize monthly trips and they cover a variety of areas ranging from painting schools, building clay houses, and making sandals for hill tribe children. They arrange all of the transportation and have a central meeting place at their office in Bangkok so it is pretty easy to manage as you just have to show up and be ready to work.
Website: http://www.volunteerspirit.org/
Contact name:

Contact e-mail address: volunteerspirit@gmail.com 
Location: Meeting place at their office on New Petchburi Road
Duration: half-day, one day, or two day trips
Cost: Minimal and depends on project location and length (covers transportation, food, project materials and accommodation if applicable)

2. Education Development Foundation (EDF)
If you’re traveling with a group of people and want to do some volunteer work you can get in touch with the Education for Development Foundation. They mostly do work in the Northeast of Thailand but also work in Laos, and Cambodia. They work primarily with children and focus on improving educational opportunities for the poorest of the poor in Thailand. You can check out their website for more information and contact them for specific information. They have staff that speak English and Japanese and will be more than happy to help organize a trip for your group. They mainly work in a region of Thailand called Isan.
Website: http://www.edfthai.org
Contact name: Ann
Contact email address: nippitt@edfthai.org
Location: Isan (northeastern Thailand)
Duration: Varies depending on group/project
Cost: Varies depending on project and duration

 3. Baandinthai (building clay houses)
They build earth/clay house for homeless people, monks and sometimes as earth libraries for the community. The staff are very easy-going and friendly and it’s usually a one time weekend trip so it’s suitable for just about anyone. Be warned though- it is hard work, but lots of fun and a pretty cool thing to know how to do!
Website: http://www.baandinthai.com
Contact: Mr. Surat Sarakam
E-mail: yobaandin@hotmail.com
Location: Varies
Duration: Usually a weekend
Cost: Minimal

4. Grassroots Human Rights Education and Development (GHRE)
GHRE works with Burmese people living in Thailand and focuses on the following areas: children’s education, health, women’s empowerment, migrant and leadership development programs, and documentation surveys. You can contact them directly to find out more information or fill out their online application form for more details.
Website: http://www.ghre.org/en/
Contact: grassroots@ghre.org or grassroots_hre@yahoo.com
Location: Phang Nga (north of Phuket)
Duration: Flexible
Cost: Minimal

5. The Wild Animal Rescue Foundation of Thailand (WARF)
WARF is looking for outgoing and adventurous volunteers to work at any of its three projects: The Gibbon Rehabilitation in Phuket, The Wild Animal Rescue and Education Center and The Sea Turtle Conservation Project in Ranong. You will assist the animal keepers, build and clean cages, as well as inform visitors about wildlife protection.
Website: http://www.warthai.org
Contact: volunteer@warthai.org
Location: Phuket or Rayong depending on project
Duration: 1 to 8 weeks
Cost: Varies depending on duration and project (contact them directly for details)

6. Thai Fund Foundation

This organization works to equitably distribute resources and knowledge and works to strenghten grassroots organizations dealing with civil society and focus on children, youth groups, and community organizations throughout Thailand.  They also have a sub-organization that focuses soley on organizing volunteer activities called give2all. 

Website Thai Fund Foundation: http://www.tff.or.th/?q=node/55

Website Give2all: http://www.give2all.com/

Contact: Apple email her at givegang@gmail.com     

Location: based in Bangkok and volunteer activities in surrounding areas                                            

For more information about other organizations and volunteer opportunities in Thailand click on these links  for more listings.
Thaiwebsites, Wikipedia, Bangkok Post

I’ve listed three separate sites as they all have different information. I will also mention that some of the organizations listed are no longer in existence, so please keep that in mind while doing your research.

If you’re looking for longer term volunteer opportunities in Thailand click here for more information. Happy volunteering!