Location
  • Thailand
Length
1 to 12 weeks

Program Details

Timeframe
Year Round
Housing
Guesthouse Host Family
Groups
Small Group (1-15) Medium Group (16-30)
Travel Type
Family Older Travelers Solo Women

Pricing

What's Included
Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Meals Transportation
What's Not Included
Airfare Travel Insurance Visa
Nov 02, 2023
Jan 08, 2024
162 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Immerse yourself in the captivating beauty of Thailand, where lush northern jungles and pristine southern coasts beckon. Whether you're exploring the misty forests up north or diving into the fresh sea breeze down south, you're never far from paradise. Our volunteer programs offer you a chance to make a meaningful impact on communities and wildlife in this biodiverse haven.

GVI offers a variety of programs in Thailand driven by sustainability in a global, social, environmental and conservationist context. With bases in Chiang Mai and Phang Nga, you could get involved in education, marine and wildlife conservation, volunteering with children, supporting public health and community development.

You’ll be working on projects aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals alongside a group of like-minded individuals. In your free time, you will have the opportunity to explore Thailand’s many beautiful beaches, jungles, mountains and small islands.

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Support global sustainable efforts that contribute towards the long-term objectives of a program.
  • Learn about and assist projects in reaching their UN Sustainable Development Goals.
  • Live and travel in Thailand, connecting with the local community and other international volunteers.
  • Become a world citizen as you learn about different cultures, lifestyles, local cuisines and traditions.
  • Improve your CV by gaining skills in marine and wildlife conservation, teaching, health education and community development.

Popular Programs

Two participants observing an elephant

Join us in Thailand's Chiang Mai where you'll volunteer with elephants that were once part of the tourism industry and are now living more naturally in lush mountain forests. Work with mahouts and locals to support their well-being. In your free time, explore Northern Thailand.

Two students conducting research in Thailand

In Phang Nga, contribute towards conservation efforts to protect local species and habitats. You will gain skills in conservation, surveying, camera trapping, and coral reef and species identification. Enjoy tropical climates, natural islets and snorkeling in clear blue waters with newfound friends.

Thai students studying

Join us in Phang Nga, Thailand to teach English to students from kindergarten to senior school level. You will be supported by our TEFL trained staff as you learn how to plan and deliver fun and impactful lessons, and develop your skills in teaching, leadership, teamwork and classroom management.

Volunteer working with green turtle Phang Nga

Contribute to vital conservation in Phang Nga as you work with GVI staff and global volunteers to protect endangered green sea turtles. Partnering with local organizations, we nurture hatchlings, clean tanks, conduct studies and release turtles into the ocean.

Program Reviews

4.93 Rating
based on 99 reviews
  • 5 rating 92.93%
  • 4 rating 7.07%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Impact 4.85
  • Support 4.9
  • Fun 4.9
  • Value 4.75
  • Safety 4.9
Showing 1 - 8 of 99 reviews
Default avatar
Joe
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My experience in GVI Changmai

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!

11 people found this review helpful.
Response from GVI

Hi Joe

Thank you so much for your review of your GVI experience in Thailand. We have enjoyed seeing your brilliant photography, too!

We are so pleased that you were able to see a lot of wildlife and learn about the culture and your surroundings to the maximum! We hope to see you on another adventure soon!

All the best
Katherine (GVI Outreach Team)

Default avatar
Iman
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing would recommend!

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!

Pros
  • Close experience with turtles
  • Opportunities to explore Thailand
  • Immersed in the Thai culture
62 people found this review helpful.
Response from GVI

Hi Iman!

Thank you so much for your lovely review. It's amazing to hear about all the activities you got up to on your program and even more amazing that it has helped you gain knowledge to take back home! I'm also pleased you connected with the staff so well and hope you will be back in the future.

All the best,
Tiffany (GVI Outreach Team)

Default avatar
Mike
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Elephant conservation in Chiang Mai

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!

Pros
  • Impact on community
  • Culturally sensitive
  • Learning
Cons
  • Flights from UK - long journey
68 people found this review helpful.
Response from GVI

Hi Mike!

Thank you for your review! Keeping the community at heart during these programs is extremely important and I'm pleased that the programs reflect this. It's also amazing to hear that you fully immersed yourself in the culture and had such a life-changing experience. I hope you will join us again in the future!

All the best,
Tiffany (GVI Outreach Team)

Default avatar
Holly
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Healthcare Volunteering Program Phang Nga

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.

Pros
  • Program Organisation
  • Impact
  • Connections
Cons
  • No air conditioning
67 people found this review helpful.
Response from GVI

Hi Holly!

It's wonderful to hear that you had such a great experience and felt truly supported by staff throughout your time with us! Even though you found it challenging, I'm glad that you also found the work rewarding which truly highlights the value of such programs. I'm also pleased you were able to explore Thailand in your free time! Thank you s much for your review and the impact made during your program!

All the best,
Tiffany (GVI Outreach Team)

Default avatar
Joe
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Volunteering with Children

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!

Pros
  • Build relationships
  • Learn about new culture
  • Make an impact
Cons
  • Less formal training than I’d have liked
  • Organisation
86 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Seoda
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing, eye-opening experience!

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.

Pros
  • Have an impact
  • Interact with turtles
  • Make friends
98 people found this review helpful.
Response from GVI

Hi Seoda!

Thank you for sharing your lovely experience with us! I'm happy to hear that the program exceeded your expectations and that you truly gained so much knowledge from all the work done. It's amazing that it has left you feeling more passionate and willing to make a difference with us! This is a great example of how important volunteering is and how it can inspire people. I hope that we see you again soon!

All the best,
Tiffany (GVI Outreach Team)

Default avatar
Molly
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

GVI Chaing Mai

I absolutely loved my time in Chiang Mai with GVI. I spent a month volunteering, which involved elephant hikes, base activities, interacting with the local community, learning the local language, mornings at the nursery and so much more. The staff are so incredibly helpful, kind and caring and only care about your health, safety and enjoyment on the programme. I cannot recommend GVI enough and Chiang Mai is the perfect place for anyone looking for adventure, whether it’s solo or group travels. I will definitely be back in the future!

Pros
  • Learn a new language
  • See elephants everyday
  • Community interaction
Cons
  • Quite remote
  • Steep hills
  • Communication issues with marketing
110 people found this review helpful.
Response from GVI

Hi Molly!

Thank you so much for your review. I'm so pleased to hear that you had such an engaging time in Chiang Mai, especially the elephant hikes! It's also great that you were able to connect with the community and learn more about the local language. We look forward to you doing more programs with us in the future!

All the best,
Tiffany (GVI Outreach Team)

Eliz Aquino
Eliz
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing time in Phang Nga!

In October, I volunteered for a week with GVI Phang Nga, as part of Go Overseas' On the GO site visits perk for team members!

I spent half the week participating in the conservation project and the rest of the week with the community project, helping with English lessons. The staff on base are so knowledgable and passionate about what they do, and really care about the volunteers and the community.

1 week did not feel long enough for volunteering, so I do recommend staying longer if you can, to help make a more positive impact.

I will always cherish my time in Ban Nam Khem and miss getting Thai iced teas from the shop across from base :)

Pros
  • Delicious home-cooked Thai meals twice a day!
  • Friendly staff, volunteers, & community
  • Helpful pre-departure support
Cons
  • Be prepared for possible bug bites!
127 people found this review helpful.
Response from GVI

Hi Eliz!

Thank you for your great review. I'm thrilled you had such a lovely experience with us in Phang Nga! I'm pleased to hear that you were supported and cared for greatly by the staff members. All your effort is appreciated and we hope to see you again soon for a longer stay!

Regards,
Tiffany (GVI Outreach Team)

Questions & Answers

Hi Diego, Thank you for your interest in a GVI sustainable development program. We offer a variety of volunteer programs in Thailand, and costs are dependent on the type of project you join. You can visit our Volunteer in Thailand page https://www.gvi.co.uk/volunteer-in-thailand/ to check out the cost of your chosen program. All program costs include the following: pre-departure support and...

For the homestay in Thailand you have your own space/room at the locals house. You get up early and are out with the Elephants and other volunteers all day. Some nights you have dinner with the alone and try and learn each others languages.