New Volunteer Projects in Thailand

Kaya Responsible Travel has announced six new volunteer projects in Thailand, bringing their total number of projects in Thailand to eight.

Thailand has long been a popular tourist destination in Southeast Asia, and is often fondly referred to as "The Land of Smiles." Travelers from around the world come to enjoy Thailand's amazing white sandy beaches, friendly people, and stunning natural beauty. These very qualities, however, are under threat by the prosperity tourism has brought. Volunteer in thailand, and help preserve this beautiful country for generations to come!

Kaya's new projects are located in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Surin, and Koh Tao. Before entering the field, volunteers will first meet in the capital of Bangkok for an orientation to learn more about Thai language and culture. The length of each project is entirely dependent upon the needs of the community, and can last anywhere from two weeks to six months.

These projects aim to increase elephant welfare within northern and eastern Mahout communities, help marine conservation and land development on the island of Koh Tao, bring educational and language development to rural minority groups in Chiang Rai, and provide essential support and care to victims of human trafficking in Chiang Mai.

Each volunteer will be assigned specific tasks suited to support their personal goals, but every volunteer can be expected to improve their communication skills and ability to adapt to new cultures and environments. Through the process of adapting to a new culture, volunteers will grow as people and develop into more mature and well-rounded individuals. With Kaya, volunteers will have their eyes opened to some of Thailand's diverse communities and be given the opportunity to connect with those in need.

To find more information, and apply directly online, visit Kaya's Volunteer and Travel in Thailand page.

--

Kaya was founded in 2008 by Heilwig Jones who started as a volunteer in Thailand. She was a part of the rescue effort after the Boxing Day Tsunami, and she extended her stay in Thailand to work through the disaster and help foreign NGO's understand what Thai communities really needed. Heilwig spent time listening and learning about the support that the locals wanted - an opinion from the inside out, from those who were directly affected by the disaster. Kaya holds this principle true today, and works to listen to the communities on the ground to find out what support and help they need and to provide them with volunteers accordingly. Whether this is in the quest for skilled divers, to preserve the underwater world in Koh Tao or with native English speakers to provide a better standard of education to rural hilltribes, Kaya has long believed in working with small and local community development projects where the NGO's, charities and communities on the ground really and truly benefit from the aid that international volunteers can bring.