Included Activities
There is 1 experience offered per month. Volunteers on longer durations will not be eligible to repeat Experiences. Please note, Experiences are subject to change or substitution and are optional. Volunteers who elect, or are unable, to participate will not be eligible for any refunds. Volunteers must ensure their travel insurance covers any activities.
Thailand Coastal Conservation Expedition
• Learn to make traditional Thai and Burmese food
• Visit the Buddhist temples of Ban Nam Khem
• Practice traditional Thai yoga massage
• Master Muay Thai self-defence techniques
• Raft along the Sok River
• Hike to hidden waterfalls
• Visit an untouched mangrove island
• Sleep in a floating river bungalow
Volunteering with us not only allows you to participate on programs assisting disadvantaged communities or endangered ecosystems but it also offers wonderful opportunities to travel in the local area in your down time or further afield, either before or after your program. Below is some information on trips and travel options in Thailand.
Optional Side Trips
Take advantage of the amazing sites and scenery the Andaman region of Thailand has to offer. There are endless opportunities to visit islands, beaches, parks and caves and many can be done on weekends. While on the ground, we are here to help so make sure to ask our field staff to assist you with planning trips.
Explore the amazing Khao Sok National Park, including the stunning Cheow Larn Lake and 740km² of rainforest and which is home to elephants, leopards, tigers, deer, monkeys, lizards, birds, and the Rafflesia - the largest flowers in the world, 90cm across with a unique aroma…of rotting flesh! Take a day trip for a quick sample of the park’s delights or stay overnight and discover even more - perhaps in one of the jungle tree houses, or even on a bungalow that floats on the lake. Trek through the jungle, kayak around Cheow Larn lake visiting spectacular limestone caves, swim in idyllic waterfalls or just relax and see what you can spot!
Khao Lak is a very popular tourist spot close by, with beautiful, seemingly endless beaches, so many dining options you’ll be spoilt for choice and hundreds of spas offering massages and treatments at reasonable rates. With a wide range of accommodation options, from luxury resorts to hostels, Khao Lak offers you the chance to spoil yourself for a few days, whether you’re on a budget or looking to splurge a little.
The Similan and Surin Island groups, both under the protection of their Marine National Park status, are home to some of the best diving and snorkelling spots in the region. You can take a day trip, stay on a live aboard boat or even stay overnight on the islands themselves.
Phuket Island, about 90 mins south of Khao Lak and renowned for its colourful night life is also a great stop-off for divers and snorkelers, but if you’re not the diving type you can explore Phang Nga Bay by speed-boat or sea kayak, stopping off at James Bond Island, made famous by the 1974 film ‘The Man With the Golden Gun’ before visiting the floating Sea Gypsy village. Phuket is also very popular with surfers, playing host to annual surfing competitions, though there is a great ‘secret spot’ near Khao Lak…if you’re interested, staff will show you the way!
Neighbouring Krabi Province is a treasure trove for intrepid travellers; from the crystal clear Emerald Pond to the epic 1,237-step climb up to the Buddha image and stunning views at the Tiger Temple Cave to the enchanted scenery and pools of Than Bok Khoranee National Park to the shopping and late night bars of Ao Nang to the chilled out beaches of Koh Lanta Island to the parties of Phi Phi, where ‘The Beach’ was filmed - the options are truly endless!
Our house is situated within Ban Nam Khem village. There is a lovely coffee shop on one side and a beautiful jungle on the other. You will stay in mixed-gender, dorm-style accommodation with a maximum of six occupants per room. Each room has a bathroom with a cold water shower and a flushing toilet. There are communal spaces for training, project planning and socialising with your new friends. We also have a homemade ping-pong table, a small barbecue area, and deck chairs to relax in after a rewarding day of project work. The study area has a great variety of fiction and non-fiction books. Our resource room is filled with helpful research and training materials, as well as many interesting books on conservation. Participants share all base duties, including cleaning the common area and the resource room and other daily chores. Drinking water will be provided.You need to bring your own bedding for example a thin sleeping bag liner.
If you need to stay additional nights before or after your project you need to book these separately, ask your travel consultant for help.
Phuket Airport Place, is a 5 min walk from the airport exit, they offer an airport pickup that you need to book at the time of booking the room, pick-up is offered at 200THB.
Please stay near the meeting point which is near the airport. Please note that GVI does not provide pick-up from any other alternative location.
This program gives you the opportunity to experience authentic Southern Thai cuisine, while still having the chance to share some of your own favourite meals from back home. You’ll make your own breakfast from a choice of items which might include toast, cereal, oats, eggs, and a variety of tropical fruit commonly available in Thailand. From Sunday to Thursday, lunches and dinners are prepared by local cooks. These usually consist of Thai and Burmese cuisine. Thai food can be quite spicy, but our cooks adjust the spice level to suit you. On Friday and Saturday you can prepare your own meals from food provided on base - or choose to eat out (at your own expense).
Technical difficulties not withstanding, there is WiFi available at the volunteer base. Mobile/cell phones are affordable and Thai SIM cards are extremely cheap. You can buy top-up cards for reasonably priced calls in and out of Thailand. Phone shops are plentiful in nearby tourist areas.
