Free Volunteer Work in Thailand - Free Volunteering Opportunities in Thailand

In these days of money hungry consumerism and the never ending search for shiny things, it is a special individual indeed who willingly gives up their time to help those more in need than themselves, for the special rewards that this kind of opportunity brings, over and above the financial.

But unfortunately in recent years numerous businesses have sprung up serving little to no purpose other than to feed off the good intentions of those with big hearts, charging large sums of money to connect volunteers with the organisations that require them, reducing the appeal of a life experience that brings benefits to both parties, for the profit of these middlemen whose part in the process is essentially superfluous. Because Thailand is a country easy to navigate, with both transportation and accommodation to suit all needs being cheap and plentiful, and with a little research, and a few swapped e-mails and/or phone calls, it is easy to organise a volunteer position in Thailand, all by yourself.

Free Volunteer Work in Thailand Opportunities

The skills required for a volunteer placement in Thailand range from nothing more than an eagerness to help, through to basic I.T. and teaching English, up to specialised medical care. And all are equally valuable to those who benefit from your help. So should you be looking for a free volunteering opportunity in Thailand, listed below are a few placement ideas to help get you started.

The Starfish Country Home School Foundation

Working with needy children from the hill tribes of Northern Thailand volunteers can expect to be involved in all manner of activities, from teaching the children arts and crafts, sports, and cooking skills, through to English language lessons and photography (amongst numerous other things). Based near Maetaeng in Chiang Mai province, the Starfish Country Home School Foundation aims to provide a quality education and a safe pleasant living environment for all of its students, to enable them to live happy and productive lives. Volunteer commitment should be for a minimum of three months, and free (basic) accommodation can be provided.

For more information and an application form, you can visit them here.

Safe Haven Orphanage

Those looking to volunteer in Thailand could do worse than lending a helping hand at the Safe Haven Orphanage. Providing disadvantaged children with shelter, food, clothing, education, medical care, and more than a little love; this orphanage based in ‘Ban Tha Song Yang’ (about 2 hours north of Mae Sot on the Thai/Burma border). cares for children with nowhere else to go. Volunteers at the Safe Haven orphanage can expect to undergo a life changing experience, as they help teach the children arts and crafts, language lessons, technical skills, in addition to helping out with the day to day operations of the orphanage. Minimum commitment should be a period of one week and upwards, and free (basic) accommodation can be provided.

For more information you can visit them here.

SCAD (Soi Cats and Dogs)

And because animals need love too those looking to volunteer in Thailand with a passion for animals might consider spending some time helping out at ‘SCAD’ an organisation with the aim of providing a better life for the stray Soi cats and dogs of Bangkok. Helping to care for the animals directly, fundraising, or providing administrative support volunteers who can spare a minimum of one week to assist at SCAD are always made welcome, and for more information you can visit themhere.

The StarFish Parable 

"At dawn an old man was walking along the beach, where thousands of starfish were stranded and lay dying because of the low tide. The man saw a little boy throwing them back into the sea. Thinking himself very wise, he said to the boy, "Why are you doing that? It won’t make any difference." The boy bent down, picked up a starfish, threw it back into the sea and said, "It makes a difference to this one."