Are you planning to volunteer in Thailand, but unsure which provider to select? Now, you no longer have to waste time searching the internet and filling out dozens of contact forms. Simply fill out ONE form, we'll send it off to multiple providers and they'll contact YOU! You'll be able to compare rates and find the lowest cost program for the most affordable trip abroad.
Get Free Quotes From 10 Best Cheap Thailand Volunteer ProvidersAre you thinking about visiting and volunteering in Thailand? Would you like to explore the best of Thailand while also making a real meaningful difference in the life of needy communities? Are you looking for the highest rated, cheapest, and most trusted volunteer providers in Thailand?
Thailand is a country of wonder, teeming with a rich history and culture, royal palaces, tropical beaches, ancient ruins and astounding temples. More importantly, visitors are almost always greeted with warm smiles. A visit to the country is a relaxing and memorable holiday in itself, but many often find they visit and want to give back more.
While volunteering in Thailand is a life-changing experience, it gets confusing once you start searching for a safe and affordable provider. Any search on the internet will have you realize that there are a lot of companies offering Thailand programs, with prices ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars – shockingly for the same programs!
At TravellersQuest, we don’t want to see you paying super high costs for volunteering and potentially making the wrong choice. We want to see you join a reputable, safe and affordable program in Thailand. Also, you can be certain you’ll create a lasting impact and leave with great memories that last a lifetime.
So, guess what? We did the hard work for you! We spent hundreds of hours researching and finding the 10 best, safest and cheapest providers in Thailand, just for people like you who want to travel to Thailand and make a difference. We sincerely believe that choosing one of these organizations will result in an amazing volunteer work in Thailand.
Keep reading to discover the 10 Best and Cheapest Volunteer Program Providers in Thailand.
| Company Name | Sample Price USD (2 weeks) |
Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| International Volunteer HQ | $799 |
Go overseas: 1,724 Reviews Go Abroad: 1,282 Reviews |
| RCDP Volunteer Abroad | $440 |
Abroad Review: 221 Reviews Go overseas: 47 Reviews |
| IFRE Volunteers | $739 |
Go Overseas: 74 Reviews Sitejabber: 8 Reviews |
| Global Crossroad | $739 |
Go overseas: 88 Reviews Abroad Reviews: 334 Reviews |
| GoEco | $1242 |
Go Abroad: 662 Reviews Volunteer forever: 517 Reviews |
| Gap 360 | $951 |
Go Overseas; 6 Reviews |
| Oyster Worldwide | $1118 |
Go Overseas- 83 Reviews Go Abroad – 53 Reviews |
| Plan My Gap Year | $684 |
Go Overseas: 350 Reviews Go Abroad – 24 Reviews |
| Love Volunteers | $968 |
Go overseas: 139 Reviews Go Abroad: 273 Reviews |
| Kaya Responsible Travel | $2088 |
Go overseas: 24 Reviews Go Abroad: 70 Reviews |
Table updated: Jan 15, 2023
Location: New Zealand
Established: 2007
No of Volunteers: 112,000
Location & Projects: 42 countries over 200 Programs
Awards and Recognition: Certified B Corporation, Member of the Volunteer Groups Alliance (VGA)
The first provider we’re going to look at today is International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ), a New Zealand volunteering organization that was established in 2007. Anyone who volunteers internationally will for sure know about IVHQ, so if you plan to volunteer in Thailand, be sure to put this company on your radar too.
IVHQ’s primary focus is on providing affordable volunteer travel experiences that are safe, high quality and environmentally and socially responsible. IVHQ has programs in more than 40 countries worldwide, and places thousands of volunteers abroad every year. To date, IVHQ has served about 42,000 volunteers worldwide since its founding.
Let’s check out the company’s programs in Thailand!
IVHQ’s teaching English volunteer program in Thailand is in the gorgeous hills and forests of Northern Thailand. Here, the local Thais have restricted access to formal education and there is a real need for volunteers to assist in teaching, not only young children, but also adults.
Volunteers are needed for this project all through the year to help the local teams run school camps and other events for the local children. This project also encompasses childcare work and teaching monks, local people and staff.
Are you a native English speaker? Could you see yourself doing this? Previous TEFL training is preferred for this, but not essential. Passion talks way louder and if you have a passion to teach, do consider this volunteer program!
IVHQ also offers a teaching program in Hua Hin. Volunteer teachers in Thailand can help teach English at local Thai kindergartens, schools and community centers. Volunteers greatly involve in helping the students increase their chances of future employment, as English is very important for the country that relies heavily on tourism.
Do you have a passion for education, but don’t know where to start? Do you enjoy working with children? This exciting childcare program in Thailand, Chiang Rai involves working with children aged 2-6 at teaching and daycare centers.
Volunteers assist local trained staff with tasks like planning and teaching classes, serving meals, general tidying chores and putting smiles on children’s faces. No previous experience is necessary to join this program.
You can volunteer in Thailand for anything from 2 weeks to 12 weeks, and time off can be set aside for exploring the surrounding hill tribes and nearby cities, such as Chiang Mai.
Another project you could get involved with is the Hill Tribe Support in Hua Hin. The hill tribes living in the area have an increasing need for access to modern education. This is a fantastic opportunity to teach at local schools, working with students between 3-15 years old.
You will walk away knowing you have genuinely helped improve the futures of many and also having learned about the local Karen hill tribe’s customs and culture.
IVHQ has received a wealth of positive reviews for their volunteer Thailand programs and elsewhere online. IVHQ share reviews on their website according to destination and project that explain the volunteers’ many positive experiences.
With thousands of happy volunteers and their positive feedback about the program flexibility, coordinators, support, food, and safety, you can feel confident choosing IVHQ for your next volunteer abroad adventure.
My experience with IVHQ was one I will always cherish. It was such a milestone for me and a great opportunity to expand in every way…-Kathryn Farrell
Read more reviews at Go abroad, Go Overseas and volunteer forever.
IVHQ offers inexpensive volunteer programs in Thailand. The program fees are set based on the destination and the length of stay. The application registration fee is $299 USD and it's a refundable fee if the volunteer decides to not go.
The Program Fee includes airport pick-up, orientation, program supervision, accommodation and meals during the volunteer program period, in-country 24/7 volunteer support and in-country administration costs.
Volunteers are responsible for flights, visa, travel insurance (mandatory), travel to Chiang Rai once in Thailand, vaccinations, in-country trips and tours, spending money, etc.
IVHQ commits themselves to providing the most immersive and culturally enriching experiences possible while volunteering in Thailand. As always on our list, they also have very low prices and excellent reviews.
Location: USA
Established: 1998
No of Volunteers: 18,000
Countries & Projects: 19 countries and over 200 programs
Credentials: Partnership with AIDCamp, UK, Partnership with YETI, USA
Another organization every overseas volunteer should be interested in is RCDP. Since its establishment in 1998 in the US, RCDP has helped over 18,000 happy volunteers. RCDP boasts some pretty amazing and impactful volunteer projects worth delving into.
The company also helps to raise capital for schools, orphanages, and other NGOs. Quite notably, RCDP offers some affordable yet meaningful volunteer opportunities in Thailand, and various other countries. Each year hundreds of volunteers turn to RCDP International Volunteers for its inexpensive programs in Thailand.
RCDP encourages volunteers to share their skills with individuals and communities who need them to grow and escape poverty. RCDP also provides safe places to stay with either a host family or in a hostel which is an ideal way to engage in local Thai culture.
Are you someone who is passionate about taking care of young children, especially those aged between 2 and 6 years old? Childcare services in Thailand are unaffordable for financially challenged families who need these services the most.
Buddhist temples and local government do their bit and have established centers to aid such families; however, financial constraints continue to cause those centers to struggle in providing full support and good care for these children.
RCDP volunteers step in to help fill that gap through this childcare and orphanage volunteer programs in Thailand. This project is located in Ayutthaya, the old capital of Thailand before it was invaded by the Burmese. The area is simply teeming with temples and ancient ruins waiting to be explored.
Are you interested in teaching English to primary and secondary school students in Thailand?
You don’t have to have any qualifications to do so, just a working knowledge of good English. Students need to learn English and despite growth in international trade and ever-increasing tourist arrivals in the country, many Thais still can't speak or understand English.
English has become imperative for Thais to learn as their careers potentially hinge on their ability to speak and write in English. By joining this teaching English volunteer program in Thailand, you can help solve this problem.
Thailand is home to over thirty thousand Buddhist temples where young Thai monks live, work and study. Many temples are actively involved in social work such as operating schools where boys from poorer families go to study.
The standard of English taught isn’t good enough as there is a lack of qualified English teachers, which is where volunteer in Thailand come in and teach monks English skills.
Are you a healthcare worker or a medical student? Here’s your chance to shine, RCDP's Thailand healthcare program is making strides to improve the local healthcare system.
New hospitals and rural health clinics have opened in Thailand, but in places like Surin, families still can’t afford healthcare. RCDP volunteers work in these communities to deliver much needed healthcare services. Could you see yourself doing this?
RCDP has some other Thailand volunteer programs too that are worth checking out in the locations of Surin and Ayutthaya. Pretty much all the projects we discussed in Ayutthaya are also available in Surin.
The area of Surin is sadly one of the least developed areas in Thailand. Here, volunteers can do their part and get involved in a number of ways, such as working with disadvantaged children . Volunteers here will help provide basic education and English, as well as help organize games and activities.
Volunteers can also teach English in Surin to help brighten the children’s future employment prospects. There is also a healthcare opportunity available working in local clinics and hospitals in the poor area.
And other projects offered in Surin by RCDP include community development initiatives where volunteers work with farmers to grow vegetables and/or RCDP’s Elephant project which involves looking after domesticated elephants who were once used for the country’s tourism industry.
RCDP is a highly rated volunteer company. There are many individual online reviews on the internet where past volunteers praise RCDP for their services and quality of experience. Compared to many of its competitors, RDCP has earned its stripes as a trusted, safe, affordable, and flexible organization offering the highest rated and best opportunities to volunteer in Thailand.
I highly recommend using this company to volunteer abroad. Their staff are really respectful and comprehensive…-Ivan
Read more reviews on Go Overseas.
RCDP Volunteers offer inexpensive programs in Thailand. Most programs are offered at $260 for one week. Volunteers responsible for their own airfare, visas, vaccinations and travel insurance, along with any other spending money they may need.
We gave RCDP a place on this list of the best providers to go volunteer in Thailand based on their long list of projects, excellent homestays and stellar reviews coupled with affordable prices.
Are you interested volunteering in other Asian countries? We have also thoroughly researched and selected the 10 best affordable providers for Volunteering in Nepal, Volunteering in India, Volunteering in Sri Lanka, Volunteering in Cambodia, and Volunteering in Bali.
Location: USA
Established: 2006
No of Volunteers/Interns: 22000+
Location & Projects: 20 countries, over 200 programs
Recognition: Registered as a 501(c)3 non-profit
IFRE Volunteer is another amazing international volunteering company many should be aware of. IFRE is a nonprofit organization located in the USA that was founded in 2006 and has helped many volunteers grow into dedicated humanitarians. The company provides low cost projects in Thailand.
IFRE aims to encourage cultural immersion, language courses, positive volunteer opportunities and more. In a snapshot, IFRE’s volunteer programs in Thailand give volunteers an excellent opportunity to change their life and the lives of the people they serve, while also providing a memorable holiday experience in Thailand.
Their program emphasis is on teaching English in local schools, construction projects, supporting local orphanages, educating Buddhist monks, and elephant conservation projects. IFRE programs generally begin on Monday. For volunteers that are eager to donate their time abroad, all projects run for a minimum of one week to a maximum of 12 weeks.
Let’s take a look at IFRE’s Thailand programs:
Are you someone who is deeply passionate about taking care of young children and helping to put smiles on their faces? This IFRE’s Thailand childcare volunteer program is based in one of Thailand’s poorest provinces called Surin.
The childcare project is essential for many families with young children as it offers assistance to the Thai children by providing low-income parents with adequate childcare services so they can go to work.
Are you someone who is strong and physically fit, and who perhaps has been involved with building things before? IFRE Volunteers’ primary goal for the volunteer building project in Surin is to assist the community by constructing sufficient modern infrastructure and even orphanages for the local community.
On top of being one of the poorest areas in Thailand, Surin is more positively known for its elephants, silk and ruins of a Khmer empire. Chiefly known for its elephants, the province is home to 400 elephants which were originally captured from the jungle by some of Surin’s founding farmers and forefathers.
As a volunteer in Elephant sanctuary in Thailand, you will work with the community to help take care of and handle these elephants. If you are an animal-lover, or you’ve always wanted to spend time with elephants, this is a great volunteering opportunity.
Many young boys go to temple schools and live the lives of monks, however the education they receive from these underfunded schools is often limited. Volunteering at a Buddhist temple school is a very noble experience to take on and will also ensure you learn about one of the most important practices of the country: Buddhism.
IFRE's volunteer projects in Surin are incredibly beneficial to these schools as they ensure young boys are equipped with all the necessary skills to make it in the world. There are about 30,000 Buddhist temples in Thailand, and they all need native English-speaking teachers like you – do you think this is something you could do?
This is a great option for those who love teaching English. The IFRE's Volunteer teachers in Thailand teaches English to children in the rural Surin province in NE Thailand. Teachers that get the opportunity to teach in orphanages, primary schools & secondary schools, as well as teaching children with special needs.
IFRE has several other opportunities worth considering. For those interested in being a childcare volunteer, there is a program in Ayutthaya where you can spend your time looking after children from poverty-stricken families and ensuring they are well cared for in the care center.
Passionate about caring for elephants and want to spend longer amounts of time with them? while also experiencing beautiful beaches in the south? You’re in luck. IFRE organizes a special 15-day elephant conservation program in Thailand where you spend time with elephants and then head out to explore the islands.
IFRE also has a 29-day volunteer and adventure programs that takes you around Thailand and Cambodia, with trips to beaches, amazing temples, a stay in Thailand’s Khao Yai province and a visit to Cambodia’s famed Angkor Wat, and more.
Another experience is for those who truly want to experience all that Thailand has to offer: the 29-day Thailand Explorer (Volunteer & Adventure) Package.
IFRE volunteers have two major advantages over their closest competitors: some of the cheapest rates, and some of the most reviews, with a high majority being overwhelmingly positive. IFRE undoubtedly provides low-cost Thailand volunteer tours which all have safety and security built into the packages to ensure peace of mind.
IRFE has several reviews available online reflecting on how supportive and kind their teams are and how satisfied the volunteers were of their overall experience. Given the many positive reviews, this company receives an A plus. You can visit their online website to see volunteers’ reviews and stories.
My volunteering work at an orphanage through Institute for Field Research Expeditions was an enriching, smooth and amazing experience… -Mansukhsingh
Read more reviews on Go Overseas.
The IFRE is amongst the cheapest volunteer in Thailand organizations that offers great deals. Additional costs for volunteers include: international flights, passport, visa, food and beverage expenses, travel vaccinations and your day to day spending money.
Affordable volunteer projects, starting at $250, Application fee of $299 USD, The weekly program fee is paid directly to your project, and covers your room, board, and field support.
IFRE offers an excellent support staff and network that does everything they can to keep your volunteer vacation in Thailand happy, fulfilled, safe and comfortable. Put this together with heaps of praise in their reviews and affordable prices and you have one hell of a package.
If Thailand and Asia is not in your list for the moment, you might want to volunteer in Latin America. check out the best and most affordable Brazil volunteer programs, Argentina volunteer programs, Costa Rica volunteer programs, Ecuador volunteer programs, Guatemala volunteer programs, Mexico volunteer programs and Peru volunteer programs.
Location: USA
Established: 2003
No of Volunteers: 20000
Location & Projects: 20 Countries, Over 200 Programs
Another provider international volunteers should have on their radar is Global Crossroads. The volunteering organization was founded in Dallas, Texas, USA and is to this day still fast growing in the numbers of happy volunteers it has helped.
Global Crossroad prides itself in offering safe, affordable, life enriching and consistently amazing experiences for its international volunteers. An important part of Global Crossroad’s successful volunteer experiences in Thailand is the company’s extensive volunteer support in-country.
The company makes great efforts to assist grassroots assignments in developing countries that provide genuine hope for underprivileged individuals in rural areas, primarily kids in orphanages and women.
Let’s take a look at Global Crossroad’s programs in Thailand.
Are you someone who wants to help look after young children? This program positively changes the lives of children and families in Thailand. Surin is known to be one of the most deprived areas of the country, which makes it very challenging for struggling parents to give their children adequate time and attention when they have to work.
The children are in need of good childcare, education and skills that will improve their chances of a successful future. This childcare Thailand volunteer program works closely with orphanages, schools and other centers to help these children and their parents.
Teaching English is a noble pursuit when it comes to Thailand, as many realize they desperately need to learn it in order to secure chances of future employment. If you are a native English speaker, this program is worth considering.
Global Crossroad’s Teaching English project participates in nurseries, child development centers, and even schools in both the provinces of Surin and Ayutthaya. Volunteering to teach English will entail offering practical conversational skills, grammar and pronunciation to eager learners.
Are you someone who can teach English? Do you want to do so in a noble way, by teaching young monks and boys in temple schools in Thailand? Often these schools don’t have the necessary capabilities to teach English. Volunteer teachers in a Buddhist temple school in Thailand assist young monks in expanding their future career opportunities in a country dependent on tourism.
Wats (Buddhist temples) have functioned as educational institutions for young Thai pupils. Volunteering is a 2-way opportunity to give to others while learning about the rich Thai culture and its reverence for Buddhism.
Are you a medical or healthcare student passionate about broadening your horizons and helping the world with your skills? Volunteer in Thailand within the healthcare and medical fields helps distribute healthcare to Thai individuals who require it the most.
Global Crossroad's medical volunteer project needs nurses and health professionals to operate in Surin’s clinics, hospitals and childcare facilities. Volunteers work together with local medical practitioners and doctors, obtaining knowledge and beneficial experience. As a volunteer, being part of the healthcare project will certainly transform the lives of everyone involved.
Are you someone who loves animals, and more specifically elephants? Have you always dreamed of meeting an elephant, but of course, never had the chance back home? Volunteers within this assignment can play with elephants and shower them with daily love and care.
Volunteers join local non-profit organizations to support elephant care and conservation in Surin while educating locals on the significance of safeguarding elephants and animals in Thailand.
Elephant sanctuary volunteers in Thailand will help feed, groom, maintain, and supply medical attention to elephants and genuinely become friends with them. There are numerous groups in Thailand offering care for animals and elephants; however, they are short on resources.
Global Crossroads has several other incredible programs in Thailand that are totally worth checking out. If you are keen on mixing volunteering work with exploration and adventure in Thailand and a trip to Cambodia, then Global Crossroads’ Explore Thailand and Cambodia (29 days) package is a sure-must.
For those keen on spending a longer period with elephants, and who also wouldn’t mind visiting Chiang Mai in northern Thailand, a city teeming with character and rich cultural experiences, then you should definitely check out the volunteer in Thailand with elephants – 7 days.
Global Crossroads also has a longer 15-day adventure volunteering with elephants and visiting Thailand’s best beaches and islands. An even greater opportunity for elephant lovers would also be Thailand Explorer 29 days, which would entail working with elephants while also getting involved with building projects that would enhance the country’s still growing infrastructure.
There are also school renovation projects to consider in the rural areas of Thailand. Additionally, if you’re looking for a 3-week summer program that would entail working with an NGO in Bangkok, Global Crossroad’s Summer Volunteer and Travel Program in Thailand is the one to choose. You can find all Global Crossroad’s volunteering vacations in Thailand here.
Global Crossroads offers inexpensive programs. They also offer volunteers memorable experiences and security options as well as unrivalled flexibility that allows volunteers to also travel around the country.
This company has countless positive volunteers’ reviews and stories on the internet which you can easily view utilizing simple internet research.
Overall, my experience with Global Crossroad has been veritably positive. It was very rewarding working in the orphanage - they definitely need the help…-Lpowers
Read more reviews on Go Overseas.
Global Crossroads provides inexpensive Thailand volunteer programs beginning at $250. They strive to keep the costs affordable for their volunteers. Program rates are dependent upon the length of stay plus the destination.
Global Crossroads program fees are split two ways:
The weekly fee cover accommodations, meals, the cost of in-country coordinator, certificate of completion, pre-departure information, and fundraising ideas.
Global Crossroad stands out with their commitment to a grass-roots approach to volunteer, and also charges very low fees and receive excellent reviews across the board.
Location: 2006
Numbers of Volunteers: 17000
Location & Projects: 42 countries over 160 programs
Awards and Recognition: Top Eco-Enthusiast in 2017 by Greenmatch, 2018 Top Volunteer Abroad Organization from GoAbroad, endorsed by the United Nations
For the environmentally conscious international volunteers out there, GoEco is definitely an organization you should consider looking at. GoEco was founded in 2005 to encourage ecological and responsible tourism that would promote sustainable development, and that includes all its volunteer programs in Thailand.
Operating in Over 33 countries, the company mobilizes over 1,000 volunteers each year. This organization allows travelers to experience a different and more rewarding kind of tourism; by encouraging travelers to volunteer for the benefit of others, they are able to fund safe and affordable projects in beautiful destinations all over the world.
GoEco’s volunteering works in Thailand work with volunteers to help them provide sustainable programs to help secure a better future for struggling populations in Thailand. Volunteers can choose from a wide range of programs, like working with elephant conservation, or teaching English.
Let’s take a look at the volunteer projects:
Are you someone who is passionate about working with elephants and spending a lot of time in the wild? Do you want to see elephants treated justly? To put an end to elephant cruelty and maltreatment, a non-profit organization founded this Thailand elephant volunteer program and passed it onto the community to gather funds.
These funds help support the cost of purchasing food and other necessities for the elephants living in the village. This project ensures the elephants remain safe, healthy, and also prevents the selling of them to street hawkers.
Are you someone who wants to contribute to the improvement of communities in Thailand? When considering inexpensive volunteer work in Thailand, this project is designed to bring support and education to the communities of Sing Buri. This community development initiative sees volunteers are placed in schools and orphanages to help with teaching or construction work.
Are you someone who is passionate about teaching and passing on important knowledge to the youth? In this amazing teaching program in Thailand, you will teach school children aged between 4 to 21 either English lessons or physical education.
The schools follow a relaxed teaching approach, meaning that Thailand teachers are able to use their own methods to educate the students.
Have you always had a compassionate nature when it comes to young children? Are you someone who wants to see children have a better future, no matter how dark their pasts are? Nearly all large orphanages in Thailand have a primary as well as a secondary school on the grounds for both orphans and poor children.
In this Thailand orphanage volunteer program, you can volunteer at two main orphanages and this entails helping maintain the orphanage buildings and grounds, and also helping with renovations or light construction projects when needed.
This is a perfect experience that combines both fun and work. Volunteers at this Teach and Beach volunteer opportunity in Thailand learn how to lead and control a classroom while teaching different levels of English. The support team will be available to give ample assistance to plan classes and so on.
In Thai culture, teachers are very well-respected and admired. This volunteer in Thailand program teaches a basic level of English among the children. And because this school is located on the beautiful island of Koh Samui in the south of Thailand, you will definitely be having plenty of beach time too.
If you are strong and love to build things as well, this program might be better suited to you. You will be concentrating on improving the appearance and security of buildings, the classrooms, and other elements of the school. The goal is to make this school a beacon of hope on the island.
This beach and build Thailand volunteer work helps deliver tangible, long-term solutions for a community in need. Development projects can range from painting a mural on a classroom wall to building an entire community center.
Are you someone currently studying marine biology, or someone who is deeply passionate about understanding marine life? This Thailand coastal marine conservation program uses an all-inclusive solution to conservation and is set in the pristine waters of the Thai province and bay of Phang Nga.
It emphasizes protecting the fragile coastal and marine ecosystems which are in danger due to economic stresses, pollution and natural damage. The goal is to teach locals about environmental concerns and ways to prevent destroying the coral reefs and marine life while encouraging sustainable economic efforts and food sources.
There are some other really amazing volunteering opportunities in Thailand with GoEco that are environmentally focused. One of them is the Recycling and Sustainability program, where volunteers help clean up the communities of Sing Buri which is rife with plastic pollution and build new processes to make recycling a simpler process.
Another program involves going to the coastal town in Hua Hin and doing some teaching at local schools around there and also getting involved with childcare centers to help look after children whose parents can’t afford to during the day.
For wildlife lovers, GoEco has a fantastic volunteering opportunity to live in a real gibbon primate sanctuary and care for and look after gibbons that were rescued and/or are recovering from abuse or injury.
You can also choose the Eco Clay Community Construction program where you get involved with aid with the construction of eco-friendly, clay structures for a local community in central Thailand. Other Thailand volunteer opportunities definitely worth checking out by GoEco are its Akha Hill Tribe Experience and the Under 18 Sea Turtle Adventure.
Although good volunteer reviews and stories about GoEco can be found all over the internet, they are also recommended by big companies such as The Guardian, MSN, Huffington Post, US News & World Report, Journeys for Good, Goodnet, The Boston Globe, and The Today Show. These shows and journals wrote many articles about GoEco and their Thailand volunteer programs, recommending them to thousands of volunteers all over the world.
Overall I'd recommend this experience! GoEco did a great job supporting the whole process before during and after the trip…-Sonia
Read more reviews at Go Abroad and Go Overseas.
Volunteers pay fixed fees for GoEco’s prorgams starting at just $550 a week for their Childcare project. Community Projects run for $700 a week. Even their Marine Conservation starts at 2 weeks for $1,775.
All prices include local in-country support, accommodation, food, pre-departure kit, orientation, airport transfers, as well as insurance. The weekly price doesn't include any fees related to visa, personal expenses, local transportation, flights, or transportation back to the airport.
GoEco’s philosophy of environmentally sustainable and responsible programs to volunteer in Thailand is an excellent reason for them to be on this list. Add to this their range of interesting programs, reasonable fees and rave-reviews, and you have a winner.
Location: UK
Established: 2011
Location & Projects: 50 Countries over 200 Programs
If you’re looking for a company that provides gap year travel opportunities, then Gap 360 is a provider you should definitely consider. Gap 360 was established in 2011. The Gap 360 office is based in the center of Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Gap 360 Encourages travelers to volunteer for the benefit of others and to support environmental and humanitarian programs.
Considered as an organization providing some of the best volunteering programs in Thailand, the Gap 360 Company also offers a wide selection of exciting activities all around the world.
Volunteering can provide valuable new skills, and unforgettable experiences. Gap 360 also creates a platform for exploring various organizations that support the environment. Gap 360 currently features over 200 trips in over 50 amazing destinations!
Let’s take a look at the volunteering opportunities.
Are you someone who is passionate about taking care of young children? Gap 360 offers orphanage volunteer program in Thailand that entail being a childcare volunteer who gets involved with looking after pre-school kids and planning fun and educational activities with them.
These activities are designed to build confidence and improve their social skills. These volunteers teach kids basic English, health and hygiene, songs, games, arts and crafts activities.
Are you someone who wants to work with elephants and learn a little more about them? This elephant sanctuary was established to offer a protected home for the elephants in Thailand of Surin province.
The elephant village is placed in a gorgeous rural area near Surin, and is a haven for around 35 elephants, which reside together with the local villagers. This Thailand elephant volunteer experience provides not only a distinctive elephant interaction, but also a fantastic cultural exchange in the authentic and rural Thailand.
There are a couple of other interesting volunteering opportunities to consider. Gap 360 also offers some amazing medical internships in Thailand set in the rural heart of Thailand in Surin. If you are a medical student or healthcare professional, this would be a great opportunity to improve the health of the community and this job will entail daily home visits.
Other programs offered by Gap 360 include adventure trips that feature an odyssey between the three countries of Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam where there will be some volunteering opportunities as well such as working on an elephant project in Chiang Mai. Do note that these trips tend to be more focused on the holiday and adventure aspect than they are on the volunteering aspect.
Gap 360 performs very well when it comes to reviews. There are countless reviews available for Gap 360 online for volunteers who made tours to Thailand. There are many reviews stating that the trip was great, however there were a few complaints about these trips leaning more towards holidays than the projects that they were described as.
Some reviews claimed that food wasn’t included with their stay as it was described. Even with all these reviews, each review boast about how these trips were unforgettable and amazing experiences for reasonable prices.
Gap 360 gave me the opportunity to have one of the most exciting, challenging and rewarding experiences of my life, whilst volunteering Program
Read more reviews at reviews.co.uk and Go Overseas
This company offers an affordable teaching and childcare program at $905 for 2 weeks. And also an elephant experience at $1,090 for 2 weeks. Additional costs to volunteer in Thailand include international flights, passport, visa, food and beverage expenses, travel vaccinations and your day-to-day spending money.
We selected Gap360 for their excellent humanitarian and ecological programs, great prices that have absolutely no registration fees, which is a huge bonus, and of course their mainly excellent reviews.
Location: UK
Established: 2006
Location & Projects: 26 countries over 100 programs
Awards and Recognition: ATOL protection, International Passenger Protection, Responsible Travel, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, WYSE Member
Oyster Worldwide is also another company worth considering that has some fantastic volunteering opportunities in Thailand. Oyster is a family-owned, UK business that specializes in organizing paid and voluntary work abroad for individuals from all around the world.
Oyster was established in 2006 to help connect caring people with reliable organizations that encourage humanitarian and economic growth and development. Oyster offering a wide variety of projects and for different durations, you can almost be certain to find the perfect project for you.
Are you into scuba diving or snorkeling? Are you a huge fan of aquatic life? Do you want to help with efforts to conserve marine life in Thailand? Then why not help conserve the world’s depleting coral reefs as a marine conservation volunteer in Thailand?
Submerge yourself in the marine world conducting daily dives off the beautiful Thai island of Koh Phangan, all while contributing to essential research and conservation project. Volunteers work with a marine research organization carrying out daily dives to help understand the local ecosystem and build and apply methods in reef conservation.
Are you someone who is passionate about saving the sea turtles, which are more often than note subject to horrible conditions, surrounded in plastic and trying to escape human poachers?
Join this amazing volunteer opportunity in Thailand that is aimed at encouraging the survival of these beloved turtles! Along with the work to endorse the conservation of turtles, there is the opportunity to assist in gathering data on the influence of humans on the coastline, which is vital for its preservation.
Are you passionate about the environment, wildlife, and animals? Help preserve and protect over 400 neglected animals at this wildlife haven.
You’ll be working at a wildlife volunteer program in Thailand and see yourself become part of an important mission: rescue wild animals from neglect and past abuse, giving them a home in this amazing sanctuary, or even back in the wild.
From bears to birds, from monkeys to gibbons, you will make a valuable contribution to this important venture. Volunteers become a part of this wide-ranging and vital program which includes feeding, observation, education, rescues and release.
If you love elephants and you deeply want to care for them, then this project is definitely worth considering. Volunteers are essential members of this growing elephant sanctuary in Thailand, currently home to 15 rescued elephants who live at Thailand’s first and only chain-free sanctuary.
There are some more volunteering projects offered by Oyster, but they are mainly geared towards families. So, if you and your family want to either volunteer at an elephant sanctuary in Thailand, or want to volunteer at a wildlife sanctuary, then you should consider joining:
Family volunteering at an elephant sanctuary and/or Family volunteering at a wildlife sanctuary, both programs lasts 1-2 weeks.
Oyster also has an incredible program for people who want to learn how to teach English and get accredited before going on to teach English. The company has several 120-hour courses in Hua Hin and Chiang Mai that will help prepare you for a pretty well-paid teaching job in Thailand.
The company truly aims for high quality by providing excellent support before, during and after placements, and there are plenty of volunteer reviews and stories available to support this statement. There are virtually no negative reviews to be found.
This means that Oyster Worldwide makes a concise effort to meet the needs of their Thailand volunteers. With a slew of positive reviews available on several volunteer abroad sites, you can feel comfortable in choosing this trusted organization.
I have never been travel the world like a volunteer. But now, I can do it with peace and love. I like children and it is pleasure for me to give my experience for other... -Maria Khimka
Read more reviews at go abroad, volunteer forever and Go Overseas
They offer an affordable Animal Rescue project in Krabi for a flat fee of $785, and this fee remains the same for all project durations. Meals are provided on site, internet access and computer on site, along with a television and DVD player.
Oyster Worldwide runs some stunning Thailand volunteer opportunities in the south amidst sandy white beaches and amazing weather. We also like that they’re a family-owned business, and that they offer their highly meaningful programs at a low cost.
Location: UK
Established: 2003
No of Volunteers: 20000
Location & Projects: 20 Countries, Over 200 Programs
Plan My Gap Year (PMGY) is an organization especially popular with younger students who have just graduated and are looking to plan a meaningful gap year abroad, however people from all age groups use the company.
With over 10 years’ worth of experience, PMGY is known to connect volunteers with safe and structured programs around the world that last anything from 1 to 40 weeks. The company has worldwide teams in the UK, US and its host destinations.
With that said, the company has a number of amazing volunteering opportunities in Thailand worth considering. Are you ready to delve into some of them? Let’s go!
Are you someone who is passionate about putting smiles on the faces of young children and helping to brighten their futures? This role will put you in touch with childcare centers in Thailand where you will be caring for young children experiencing the first few years of their life.
This is indeed an important and incredibly forming time for children. As a childcare volunteer in Thailand, you will have the chance to make positive impressions and experiences for the children that will help benefit them in the future.
As children are often apart from their parents, it is essential that they receive the care they need. You will be attending pre-schools in the area of Pathum Thani to provide Thai kids with love, care, nurturing, mental stimulation, attention, encouragement and positive reinforcement.
Are you someone who deeply cares about the welfare of elephants? Do you envision seeing yourself spend time with elephants? In this volunteer in Thailand with elephant program, you will be stationed and living at an elephant sanctuary caring for rescued (domesticated) elephants.
These elephants are often trained heavily. And with the rate at which wild elephants are slowly dying out (currently Thailand now only has 2,200 elephants living in the wild) the times are getting harder for elephants. Do your part by helping the elephant center carry out daily routines that care for these gentle giants.
Are you a native English speaker and looking for ways to make a powerful and lasting difference in the lives of many? The Thai education is embedded in rote-learning and unsatisfying curriculums that often leave Thai children yearning for something more.
Volunteer teachers in Thailand are stationed at any one of the local schools in Pathum Thani province that PMGY is partnered with. You will pass on your English skills and teach kids conversational English – something that could stand them in very good stead in the future. Every little help counts!
It’s a sad fact that many animals in Thailand (and the world) are on the brink of extinction due to the harsh living standards of humans. If you’re someone who wants to travel to Thailand with a purpose, then getting involved in PMGY’s wildlife rescue program would be a good starting point.
Thailand wildlife volunteers will work with the wildlife rescue center. The center is working tirelessly to get animals out of the miserable conditions they face, such as overexploitation, habitat loss and habitat degradation. You will be helping the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT), located near Hua Hin.
Your daily duties include preparing and distributing food to the animals, cleaning, general maintenance of the center (where you will also be staying!) and much more. It’s an early start though every day, rest assured you can save money on transportation costs as you’ll be onsite all the time!
There are some other Thailand volunteer tours to consider by Plan My Gap Year, such as the Real Thailand Experience, the Thailand Intro Experience and for those with 9 weeks to spare, the Real Summer Encounter – Sri Lanka, Thailand & Fiji.
Plan My Gap Year is a truly amazing volunteering provider that has consistently structured and meaningful programs that have won the praises of all its past volunteers. The company has time and again received extremely positive reviews.
PMGY has a very high 96% 10 out of 10 rating on Go Overseas and furthermore has a 4.8 out of 5 rating on Review Center. Across both platforms the company has attained over 500 reviews. See the positive review below of a previous happy volunteer:
At the beginning of September, I spend 2 weeks doing the Thailand childcare programme. I would 100% recommend this program to anyone! Jessica
Plan My Gap Year offers some amazing prices for its programs to volunteer in Thailand, some of which start from as low as $547 USD. This price includes the registration fee. Program fees tend to include accommodation, meals, airport pickup, in-country orientation, transport to project. have a more detailed look at the prices for PMGY programs.
It cannot be denied how well planned and executed PMGY’s Thailand programs are. Of all the overwhelmingly good reviews from past volunteers, all focus on how good the experience was and how they genuinely felt like they were making a difference in their volunteering projects.
Location: New Zealand
Established: 2009
Location & Projects: 38 countries over 100 projects
Love Volunteers is an amazing international volunteering organization known for its programs that come straight from the heart. The company was set up in New Zealand in 2009 by a brother and sister duo who had a true passion for volunteering around the world in meaningful projects. The company has a number of amazing volunteering programs in Thailand – are you ready to see what they are? Let’s go!
Are you a native English speaker and passionate about helping children and seeing them progress in the world? This is a top-notch childcare program located in Chiang Mai, an exotic and artsy town in northern Thailand.
The area of Chiang Mai is located nearby the extremely poverty-stricken ethnic minority villages. The people there greatly suffered by conflict with Myanmar, and as a result most of the families sends their kids to childcare centers.
As childcare volunteer in Thailand, you will be looking after the children at childcare centers helping vulnerable children have the necessary care they need to lead a positive life.
Are you someone who is passionate about teaching in schools in Chiang Mai in northern Thailand? There are a number of schools in the area that are suffering from low staffing levels and limited funding. As a result, the students don’t get the type of time and attention they deserve.
What can you do to help? Well, as a volunteer teacher in Thailand, you can make a valuable difference simply by showing up and talking to these kids in conversational English. You can help them improve a language and skill that will greatly improve their chances of future success.
Are you someone who is very passionate about the welfare of elephants? Have you always wanted to spend time with them? It is a sad but well-known fact that elephants in Thailand are an endangered species. They have sadly been mistreated by the country’s unrelenting tourism industry that used them for labor and entertainment.
These elephants are often left traumatized. Luckily, the lives of young elephants have a more promising future in this elephant nursery. Love Volunteers is partnered with this elephant sanctuary to ensure the young elephants have a better future than their parents and/or grandparents had.
Throughout your elephant volunteer program in Thailand, you’ll spend your days looking after young baby elephants, feeding them and taking them for long walks in the jungle (not riding them though!). Could you think of anything better?
Are you a medical student or a healthcare professional looking to enhance your CV, broaden your medical knowledge? Love Volunteer’s medical internship is something a little different from the other ones listed so far, in that you would be working public and private full-service hospitals in Bangkok.
As the hospitals in Bangkok are completely modernized and advanced and comparable to western hospitals, this is actually a really incredible experience to enhance and develop your understanding of proper medicine.
You truly will get a chance to go behind the scenes and see what the life of a full-time doctor in Bangkok is truly like. No doubt you will also learn a tremendous amount and find some time to travel to other cities and beaches during your time off, or after your internship.
Love Volunteers has a number of other amazing volunteering experiences in Thailand to consider, such as teaching Buddhist monks at temple schools in Bangkok or Chiang Mai, Women’s Empowerment programs in Chiang Mai and of course, if you’re not into sticking to Bangkok, a medical internship in the beautiful city of Chiang Mai.
The previously discussed education support project previously above is also available in Bangkok, and you’d be stationed at local schools there to truly make a difference teaching English.
Love Volunteers has some of the best reviews. Volunteers really appreciate the amount of time, care and authenticity that goes into planning for their projects:
The number of positive reviews about Love Volunteers is high, with the company receiving a 91% 10 out of 10 rating on Go Overseas and a 9.65 out of 10 rating on Go Abroad. See what one happy volunteer had to say about his Thailand volunteering experience:
During my medical internship programme, I spent three weeks in the department of cardiology of Somdech Phra Pinklao Hospital, Bangkok… It was indeed exciting. The project was far beyond what I had expected. Marco
The prices of Love Volunteers’ programs in Thailand are highly affordable, with prices starting as low as $559 USD for two weeks and not going to far above that. All of Love volunteer programs remain below $1,000 USD for the first two weeks, which is great.
Love Volunteers hand down has some of the best and glowing reviews by happy volunteers who seem genuinely fulfilled by their experiences. With the prices of the programs being so low, and the reviews being so great, we had to include the organization’s projects in this list.
Established in 2008, Kaya Responsible Travel is an excellent volunteer provider that focuses on cultural immersion and exchange to great acclaim. The main goal of this organization is to foster sustainable growth in the society, environment and economy. Its several impactful programs inspire communities, cultivate education and brings brotherhood in global citizens through responsible travel.
Kaya Responsible Travel offers several meaningful volunteer programs in Thailand. Kaya’s amazing temple school construction and renovation program lets you visit and work in the temples and rural schools of Thailand. Are you ready to get your hands dirty to change the world? Join hands with Kaya to renovate schools and temples.
If you are an animal lover, consider joining Gibbon Conservation and Rescue Sanctuary Volunteering. This program will expose you to a variety of gibbons species along with macaque monkeys, jackals, a bear and a bearcat. Feed them, play with them while also enjoying amazing Thai food and culture.
Volunteer in Thailand with elephant could be another appealing program for you! Join this program, look after the elephants (walking, bathing, feeding) and make memories for a lifetime. A moderate level of fitness is required and you must be friendly and flexible.
Kaya’s other inspiring programs include medical internship, suitable for medical students and professionals, 4 weeks gap year program for students who wish to explore Thai cultures and its exquisites. You can also consider participating in marine conservation and teaching English programs.
Kaya Responsible Travel is one of the most reviewed and highly rated volunteer in Thailand providers. It has garnered some incredible ratings and a stellar reputation over the years. The company enjoys a sound satisfaction rate of its clients: 8.13/10 on Go Overseas and a 9.5/10 on Go Abroad.
Kaya’s volunteer programs in Thailand are a bit expensive than the others in the list , starting at $2088 USD, and this is for the teaching program. Though the price is a bit higher than other provider, the reviews tells us the price worth the experience.
Kaya Responsible Travel is one of the best providers and offers interesting and diverse projects throughout the world. It would be unnatural to not include them in this list.
Friend for Asia is a local company that offers several amazing Thailand volunteer programs. Founded in 2007, they have a 9.6 on Go Overseas.
Working Abroad offers volunteering abroad and voluntary work opportunities in over 150 countries globally. Working Abroad, since its establishment in 2003, has helped Over 18,000 Volunteers yearly.
Globalteer was established in 2006 to connect volunteers to their destinations safely and at a reasonable price. They have helped over 2,000 volunteers travel abroad and have built a reputation for reliable service and outstanding volunteer work provider in Thailand and other countries.
Pod Volunteers is a non-profit organization that has arranged ethical and verified volunteering opportunities worldwide since 2001 . They aim to relieve poverty while improving education, health and living conditions of disadvantaged communities, protect the environment and Improve care for animals in need.
Starfish Volunteers was established in 1990 and since has served over 6,000 Volunteers looking to make a difference. By encouraging community growth, development and education, many volunteers are left with great memories and amazing experiences while volunteering in Thailand and elsewhere. Overall, Starfish Volunteers has a grade A rating for its volunteer programs.
Established in 2001 in Guilford, CT, GeoVisions understands the value of the experiences these opportunities bring to the lives of everyone in the host community. Their goal isn’t to just be among the affordable volunteer providers, but to provide trustworthy, affordable and quality services to its participants.
Openmind Projects was launched in 2001 in Thailand. Its goal is to fill the knowledge divide wherever assistance is required most through their Thailand volunteer programs.
Projects Abroad, founded in the UK, is an excellent volunteer provider that has a huge number of reviews across the sites of Go Overseas (9.2/10), Volunteer Forever (4.6/5), Trust Pilot (9.4/10) and Go Abroad (9.45/10).
New Hope Volunteers, founded in 1998 in Texas, is partnered with RCDP which featured on our main list. They offer inexpensive volunteering and have a score of 8.9/10 on Abroad Reviews.
The international volunteer organization Travel to Teach was established in 2002 to help reach volunteering opportunities. They offer quality volunteering opportunities in Thailand along with other places.
Thailand is an amazing country with stunning woods, white sand beaches, royal palaces, historical landmarks and temples. However, despite its remarkable beauty, the people residing in rural areas and in northeastern region are struggling to sustain even a basic life. Therefore, today, rural areas like Surin, Ayutthaya, Phang Nga, Hua Hin, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, etc. needs volunteers more than ever. You can participate in projects like teaching English, healthcare, elephant experience, marine conservation and so on.
Indeed, you can volunteer in Thailand and make real meaningful difference in the needy communities while also exploring its exquisites. Thailand is a spectacular country and offers countless amazing experiences to make your vacation once in a lifetime. You can simply pick a program of your interest, select the best and safest provider, and get yourself on board into a selfless journey. Thailand needs volunteers in several areas like education, healthcare, elephant conservation, marine conservation, childcare and more.
Yes, indeed. You need to obtain a tourist visa to volunteer in Thailand programs. You can apply for visa by visiting the Royal Thai Embassy located at your home country. You can apply for a tourist visa upon your arrival at the airport. However, citizens of only 19 countries are eligible for getting visa on arrival in Thailand.
The cost to volunteer in Thailand highly depends on the specific program, volunteering duration, location and importantly, the program provider. Usually, the cost is dived into two parts, registration fee and weekly fees. Weekly program fees cover a pre-departure orientation, airport pickup, meals and accommodation, and in-country support. A one-week program costs around USD 600 (one week + registration fee) in Ayutthaya. However, the same program can cost up to $1000 in Surin. Also, elephant conservation program costs higher than other programs. If you are thinking of a Thailand volunteer tour, we suggest you to do a thorough research before picking an organization and its program.
Yes. You need to get a tourist visa to volunteer in any programs in Thailand. You can get a visa by visiting nearby Royal Thai Embassy at your home country or upon your arrival in the airport. However, Thailand offers on arrival visa to only citizens of 19 countries.
No, you don’t need a work permit, you just need a tourist visa. You can obtain a tourist visa from the Royal Thai embassy in your home country. The tourist visa works well for volunteering in Thailand.
As you can see, this article has clearly summed up the best and cheapest volunteer program providers in Thailand. We hope this article has been of great help to you and that you will use it to help influence your future meaningful travels in Thailand.
If you have already been to Thailand with one of these providers, would you be interested in giving us some feedback? Do get in touch!
