GVI, Ethical Impact. Volunteer in Thailand

I absolutely loved my volunteer program in Chiang Mai and had already booked to go back before I left! I was originally meant to volunteer to teach on the Phang Nga base, but unfortunately it had to close. This meant I went into the program not too sure what to expect - I was instantly pleasantly surprised. The staff are all lovely and work hard to make sure everyone feels at home. From the moment I started it was obvious how much each of them cared for what they were doing and it was truly inspiring. The volunteering itself was amazing. There are always millions of different opportunities for teaching, such as going into school or nursery aswell as teaching individuals in the evenings. I also really enjoyed learning about the elephants. I went in as a teaching volunteer so knew very little about asian elephants in general, but was able to join hikes, take data and watch presentations. I have now learnt so much more about conservation and what they experience in Thailand/Asia. My favourite thing about the program as a whole was the community feel, you truly begin to feel like a family - which is encouraged through the homestays. My homestay, the staff and everyone on base were super friendly and enhanced my experience. The village itself is gorgeous and the views indescribable. There are always activities to do such as, camping, learning the language, campfires, night hikes, ect. I loved every moment of my program and would recommend it to anyone considering volunteering abroad!

I volunteered with GVI’s Elephant Conservation Program in Chiang Mai, Thailand, from January to February 2024. This was my second time with GVI, and it was just as rewarding as the first. The main activity involved daily elephant walks, where we observed and monitored the elephants' behavior in a semi-wild setting. It felt meaningful to support the shift from traditional elephant camps towards a more natural habitat.

The experience included hiking, camping, and even a dip in the (shallow) river. I appreciated the chance to connect deeply with the local culture, participate in village activities, and even teach English. One of the highlights was visiting a village home to teach English to two kids – a really sweet and memorable experience.

Traveling with my partner was seamless, thanks to GVI’s organization of our homestay and activities. The community feel was incredibly strong, and the support from the GVI team made everything run smoothly. I give this program a 5/5 and would recommend it to anyone keen on wildlife conservation. I’ll be returning to volunteer with GVI again and have already booked my next trip to South Africa!

It was a brilliant experience and a completely new experience to anything I have experienced before! The villagers that you stay with are very welcoming and although for a slight language barrier are very helpful and friendly. The staff are amazing, very informed on the local culture and wildlife, i learnt a lot from them in the short time I was there. I saw a huge range of wildlife while there, from gibbons calling in the mist to snakes hunting bats and an array of vibrantly coloured birds. Along with the daily elephant hikes which allow you to understand each elephant as an individual as each prefers a different habitat along with their own unique character. It was an experience like no other and I know I’ll be back!

I chose to do a GVI Program because it sounded like a once in a lifetime experience. I had never been to Thailand nor had I ever interacted with turtles before, so this sounded like an exceptionally unique opportunity. In the program we cleaned and medicated turtles, conducted biodiversity surveys and did beach profiling among other things. The staff were lovely and everyone felt like family which created a really nice environment at base. Volunteering with GVI increased my knowledge on conservation tenfold, and I have been able to tell my friends and family so much about how to be more environmentally conscious. I loved the programme and extended my stay for two more weeks! My GVI experience definitely improved my team working skills and my ability to thrive in new environments. Overall I would highly recommend GVI, especially the Thailand turtle conservation programme as I had a wonderful time!

I joined a GVI project in Chiang Mai concerned with elephant conservation. I was impressed that the community was at the heart of the project and the links between volunteers and locals went deep. The volunteers were knowledgeable about elephant behaviour and welfare and were collecting useful data. I learned some of the local language and culture whilst there. Accommodation was with families in the village set in the hills near the National Parks to the west of Chiang Mai. A life-changing experience!

I spent the best month of my life volunteering for the healthcare program in Phang Nga, Thailand. The staff and the way that the base was run was superb - I felt well supported during my program! It was hard work but so rewarding, and I will carry the connections I made with the community and fellow volunteers with me forever. Whilst the weeks were super busy doing community work, weekends involved travelling around southern Thailand with my new friends. It was the perfect combination of hard work, personal development and lots of fun. I would recommend to anyone looking for a challenge and an experience of a lifetime.

My experience with GVI in Phang Nga was incredible. The relationships I built with fellow participants, staff, and members of the local community in such a short space of time was amazing. Being able to fully immerse myself in the local culture, while still helping to deliver an education to children was an experience I will never forget. I’m really looking forward to participating in another GVI programme in a different part of the world as either a volunteer, intern, or staff member. All make possible through the Ambassador programme!

Volunteering for GVI Phang Nga was one of the best experiences of my life. It exceeded all my expectations! I have learnt so much in my time here about fish, coral, turtles, beaches etc. but more importantly I felt supported and looked after all the way. The staff at GVI are so helpful and they really did make me and the other volunteers feel like we were a family. Each day was filled with smiles and laughter, and even only after 2 weeks, I feel as if I have made lifelong friends. I have only been with GVI for 2 weeks, however GVI has definiitely affected the way I see the world around me. In the future I hope to be more diligent in protecting the environment- for example picking up rubbish , and minimising the plastic I use every day. I was always passionate about the environment and the amazing world we live in but GVI has given me new motivation as I have seen the extent of the problem, but I have also witnessed how much progress can be made when we all work together.