IFRE Volunteers

Volunteer in Thailand - Join the thousands of volunteers who are making a meaningful difference with their lives.

  • Feel what it’s like to know that someone else’s life has been made better because YOU were there
  • Partner with others who know that a better world begins with changing a single life
  • At $250, ours is the world’s most affordable volunteer program available
  • Your safety is always our priority... every volunteer location has been thoroughly vetted
  • Contribute in the way that is most meaningful to you... by volunteering in many life changing projects
Take a minute to complete the form and we will be in touch.

 

volunteer in thailand Are you searching for a volunteer opportunity in Thailand? Do you want to make a positive impact helping indigent people?

Thailand is a magnificent country full of culture, diverse landscapes, and welcoming people. Here you will find lush valleys, mysterious jungles, mystic rivers waiting for you to explore.

Only in Thailand can you enjoy the beauty of green forests while hiking the Himalayas.

Thailand is made up of Aryans and Tibeto-Burmans groups that have migrated from other countries searching for a better life. Our volunteer in Thailand programs give you the chance to help disadvantaged people.

You can work in an orphanage, teach English in schools or a Buddhist monastery, health projects, environment and conservation projects, photo journalism, and many more!

Contact us now to find out more, or Enroll in the program to realize your dream of visiting this fascinating country.

Alexandra Miller

These last six weeks of volunteering have been a truly amazing and life-changing & very wonderful experience for me.

Alexandra Miller

- USA

Leslie Slade

I had an excellent time, better than I ever could have imagined. Other volunteers were so nice and willing to help.

Leslie Slade

- Vermont, USA

Don Maddocks

I had a wonderful experience. I had the opportunity to teach children of all different ages.I am sad to leave!

Don Maddocks

- USA

Manko Blakely

My volunteer experience with IFRE has been unforgettable. It has opened my mind & heart. Staffs were very helpful.

Manko Blakely

- Germany

What volunteer opportunities are available in Thailand

Work In Orphanage/ Child Care Center In Thailand (Surin)

thailand Orphanage Volunteer Opportunity Surin is one of the poorest areas in Thailand where parents work long hours on farms for little pay. Many of these parents move to the city for a better income but leave the children with aging grandparents to be cared for.

Volunteer programs in Thailand orphanage provide child care for these families so the children have a clean and safe place for children.

These childcare centers are understaffed and lack the funds to keep running. Volunteers are essential to helping keep these childcare centers open.

Volunteers at the orphanage in Thailand have a variety of responsibilities from playing with the children, helping with hygiene, to construction and repair projects. You are desperately needed to help keep these children busy and off the streets.

Skills/Qualifications Needed: There are no qualifications needed for the Thailand orphanage volunteer program. Although, volunteers are expected to be flexible, patient, and have a passion for helping children.

Volunteer Responsibilities: The Thailand orphanage is unique in their approach to helping these children. They take a holistic approach when taking care of these children. Not only do they teach them, they look at their environment to ensure they are healthy and safe.

As a volunteer at the Thailand orphanage, you will teach and play with the children and help with cleaning and repairs. Experience is not needed.

Volunteers will work 4 days a week, 8:30am -3:30pm. You will have free time on the weekends to explore the magnificent Thailand.

PLEASE NOTE: work with the children varies from location to location and not all that is listed is offered at each location.

Childcare/Child Development (Ayutthaya)

Childcare/Child Development (Ayutthaya) With the volunteer in Thailand orphanage or children project, you will help needy and disadvantaged children whose families cannot afford to pay for childcare.

The local government and Buddhist temples have fashioned daycare centers for children ages 2-6 in order to help these destitute families be able to work.

Volunteers at the orphanage or children center will help with education and entertaining activities to keep these children busy while their parents work.

Skills/Qualifications Needed: Skills are not needed to volunteer in the Thailand children center. You only need to be patient, flexible, and have a passion for helping needy children.

Volunteer Responsibilities: Volunteers at the child care or orphanage in Thailand will work Monday – Friday, 3-4 hours a day in local schools, temples, and not for profit organizations.

Orphanage volunteer responsibilities will be based on your interests, experiences, and needs of the teachers and staff. They can range from teaching English, caring for the children, to helping with fundraising activities.

Teaching English Project (Surin)

thailand teaching The volunteer teaching English in Thailand project gives you the opportunity to help disadvantaged children learn English which will open doors for them to have a better future

. English is essential for many tourist and international companies in Thailand. As a volunteer teaching in Thailand, you will teach in orphanages, schools, and special needs children. Volunteer and be a part of giving these children an improved life.

Please note school holidays in Thailand runs from March 18 to April 26 and from September 16 to October 25. The project will be unavailable during this time.

Skills/Qualifications Needed: Skills for volunteer teaching English in Thailand are fluency in English. It is not required but is helpful to have experience teaching. Volunteers should be patient and have a love for children.

Volunteer Responsibilities: Responsibilities for volunteers in the teaching English in Thailand program will include teaching 9am – 3:30 pm Monday – Thursday.

Teaching English Project (Ayutthaya)

Teaching English Project (Ayutthaya)The English language is becoming essential for people to know around the world. Especially in Thailand where tourism continues to grow, children need and are eager to learn.

Volunteers teaching English in Thailand will teach Monday – Friday to students in primary and secondary schools. Volunteers may also teach young adults excited and ready to learn the English language.

Please note that school holidays in Thailand run from mid March to mid May and from mid September to end of October. The school will organize extra classes and other activities during this time for volunteers.

Skills/Qualifications Needed: It is helpful to have experience teaching English but the only required skills are to be fluent in English, be patient and flexible, and have compassion for children.

Volunteer Responsibilities : Volunteer responsibilities for teaching English in Thailand are based on your skills, interests, and needs of the school. You will teach Monday – Friday approximately 3-4 hours a day. You can also help with other subjects, homework, and assistance with school administration chores.

Nursing and Medical Project (Surin)

Nursing and Medical Project (Surin) Thailand medical volunteer programs are located in Surin, Thailand. We work with Surin’s Department of Health and village leaders in hospitals, community centers, and childcare centers.

As a medical volunteer you will assist with providing healthcare to those that need it most.

General Medical

Health care services in Thailand are very limited. Many people cannot afford healthcare and go untreated and undiagnosed.

We urgently need medical volunteers in Thailand to help work in our rural community clinics, help with outreach programs, and join us in health promotion activities. Medical professionals in all fields are needed for our volunteer Thailand medical projects.

Student Nursing

Are you a student nurse looking for a rewarding and educational experience? Our student nurse volunteer in Thailand program is the perfect place to travel, learn the scope of nursing in an underdeveloped country, and make a difference in the lives of needy people. You will assist qualified staff in rural medical clinics in and around the Surin province.

Schedule

As a volunteer with the student volunteer program in Thailand, you will work 4 days a week and enjoy a long weekend to explore or just relax. Staff will pick you up around 8am and drop you back off around 4pm. Our in-country staff will be with you through the day to translate and give you direction.

Skills/Qualifications Needed: If you are interested in applying to our student nurse volunteer in Thailand program, you must have ID to show you are a medical/nursing student, EMT, paramedic, nurse, physical therapist, midwife or physician. As a nurse volunteer you need to be hands-on, patient, accountable, eager, and passionate about healthcare.

Medical and nursing students looking to join this project must have completed at least their first year of university training.

Elephant Conservation Project (Surin)

Elephant Conservation Project (Surin) Surin is a fascinating part of Asia with captivating scenery and is also known for its many elephants. Surin is known as the Elephant Province with over 400 elephants roaming about.

Many elephants have been abandoned after becoming injured or too old to work. Some owners have not been able to afford to feed the elephants and have resorted to begging on the streets of the big cities.

Elephant volunteers are desperately needed to help the conservations care for these animals.

The Thailand elephant orphanage volunteer program enables you to learn all about elephants and help with the daily care of them all while living in an authentic Thai community. You will work closely with the elephants, experience Thai life, and explore the exotic country.

Skills/Qualifications Needed : As a volunteer with elephants in Thailand, you do not need any special skills. You just need a passion and love for animals and not mind getting wet and dirty! Volunteering with elephants is a dirty job but someone has to do it!

Volunteer Responsibilities : Volunteers with the elephants in Thailand program should be prepared to be hands on and bring old clothes! You will get to interact closely with these big lovable creatures. You will ride them, wash them, feed them, and give them lots of love.

This is a unique volunteer program that allows you to spend time in the home of a village elder and his family learning the culture and day to day life of the Thai community.

You can learn how to cook fish and other Thai food, help on the farm, kayak, intermingle with the local people, and shop in the nearby village.

As a Thailand elephant conservation volunteer, you will be expected to show your respect and follow the local beliefs at all times like removing shoes before entering the house, keeping your shoulders covered, and maintaining respect for the royal family. (All of this will be explained in more details in your pre-departure packet.)

Summer Volunteer and Adventure Program in Thailand (2 Weeks)

Volunteer in thailand for the Summer Thailand is a captivating place to spend your summer volunteering. It is paradise with a mixture of white sand beaches and ancient ruins, friendly people, great food, and awe-inspiring spirituality.

Our summer volunteer programs in Thailand have something for everyone: you can relax and enjoy the tranquil beaches, engage in a new religion, or dance the night away with Bangkok’s pulsating nightlife.

Arrival in Bangkok (1 night)

Your volunteer Thailand summer adventure starts as soon as you land. Our very own in-country staff will pick you up at the airport and take you to your hotel in the middle of the exciting Bangkok!

Transfer to project location for volunteer project (7 days)

The second phase of your volunteer in Thailand summer program is up to you. You can choose to work with elephants or on a construction project. You can either get down and dirty with the elephants and their mahouts (elephant trainers) or you can be part of the part of the D*R*E*A*M House Development Project in Surin and get your hands-on experience building an orphanage.

Relax and Explore the Regional Beaches (6 days)

After all of your hard work, being a volunteer in Thailand for the summer gets you the opportunity of a lifetime to visit Kho Pa Ngan, a well-known tourist destination: an island known for beach parties, unspoiled sandy beaches and vivacious culture. You will spend five glorious nights here before concluding your trip in Bangkok.

Travel back to Bangkok for Farewell (1 night)

After you are partied out, you will return to Bangkok and enjoy the remaining time with your newfound friends and summer volunteer program staff.

Itinerary can change to meet the needs of the summer volunteers and field circumstances. Plans will be finalized during orientation.

Volunteer Program Dates

Most programs are available year-round. We recommend volunteers begin their placements on a Monday, scheduling their arrival and departure on the weekends. However, due to flight availability, particularly traveling internationally, start dates are flexible.

We ask that all volunteers ensure to communicate their arrival and departure plans clearly to their country coordinator to ensure transportation and accommodations are properly arranged.

Ayutthaya Start Dates

Ayutthaya Volunteer Programs start every Monday of each month.
Surin & Sangklaburi Start Dates

Click here to find the start date of surin

Volunteer Program Fee (US$)

IFRE Volunteers strives to provide the lowest fees along with transparency to all of their volunteers!

  • Most affordable fees
  • Registered non-profit for tax deductible fees
  • Transparent transactions ensures volunteers they know where their money goes
  • Proven quality and safety

IFRE Volunteers is proud to offer the world’s most affordable fee for international volunteering and as a 501(c)3 organization, your program fee will be tax deductible.

We are proud to focus on the humanitarian aspect of our business, not on profit. We strive to maintain affordable cost, particularly for volunteers; we recognize the value of your donated time and efforts. We remain devoted to maintaining both the quality of the program and the safety of all volunteers involved.

IFRE fees comprise of two separate fees:

  • Application fee of $299 USD (covers advertising, staff/office expenses, etc.)
  • Weekly program fee paid directly to your project (covers room/board, field support, etc).

You will pay your fee directly to host families and projects. In this way, what you pay will go directly from you to the people who deserve it (not for profit).

Weeks Ayutthaya Surin:
Teaching/ Childcare
Surin:
Health
Surin:
Elephant
  1 Week   $260   $554   $621   $770
  2 Weeks   $440   $665   $727   $946
  3 Weeks   $620   $752   $837   $1,121
  4 Weeks   $660   $850   $944   $1,296
  5 Weeks   $810   $931   $1,007
  6 Weeks   $960   $987   $1,069   Available
  7 Weeks   $1,110   $1,043   $1,132 maximum
  8 Weeks   $1,260   $1,098   $1,194 -4 weeks only
  9 Weeks   $1,410   $1,154   $1,257
  10 Weeks   $1,560   $1,210   $1,319
  11 Weeks   $1,710   $1,266   $1,381
  12 Weeks   $1,860   $1,321   $1,444

How your fee is allocated?

Ayutthaya program

Program Fees Cover:
  • Accommodation (volunteer house, host family)
  • Food (3 local food day)
  • Airport pick up and transfer
  • Program Orientation
  • In-country support
  • Personalized project
  • Pre-departure information
  • Certificate of completion
  • Fundraising ideas and letters
  • Discount for returning volunteers
Program Fees Exclude:
  • Visas
  • Airfare
  • Personal expenses on soft drinks and foods
  • Daily transportation
  • Airport return transfer

Surin Program

Program Fees Cover:
  • Airport pick-up on arrival
  • Two night guest house accommodation in Bangkok
  • One day Guided Bangkok Tour
  • Train transfer to Surin
  • Accommodation in Surin shared house
  • Full orientation of project and surrounding areas
  • Daily transfers to and from project location
  • Full ongoing support
  • 24 hour emergency support
  • Personalized project
  • Pre-departure information
  • Certificate of completion
  • Fundraising ideas and letters
  • Discount for returning volunteers
Program Fees Exclude:
  • Food (food are cheap in Surin)
  • Visas
  • Airfare
  • Personal expenses on soft drinks and foods
  • Airport return transfer

The Thailand volunteer experience program fees will cover expenses that will begin on the first day of the program (usually the first or third Monday of the month) to the last day of the program. If you arrive before the first day of the program or you decide you stay beyond your program’s last day

Arrangement of Room/Food/Supervision

We will take care of all your needs while you volunteer abroad in Thailand. Your lodging will be located in the hisour toric city of Ayuthaya, 60 miles north of Bangkok. Your accommodations will be shared with other volunteers, clean, safe, and close to your project destination, and a chef will prepare your 3 local meals a day.

Volunteers that stay in Surin, will be housed in a safe and secure place where you will share with other volunteers. Food is only included with the elephant volunteer program in Surin. Local restaurants are cheap and have great food.

You can choose to eat out or buy food and cook in the home. Our coordinators and local staff are available night or day and are there to help you with any questions or concerns throughout your stay.