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Thailand - FAQTell me more about ThailandWhat kind of volunteer work is available? What hours do I work? How do I get to the project? Tell me more about accommodation What animals do you have at the center? Do I need to be from New Zealand? What age do you have to be to volunteer? What immunizations/vaccines will I need? Do I need to speak English to become a volunteer? When do I need to arrive in Thailand? Are we able to do any sightseeing while volunteering? Are there more expenses once I arrive? How safe is it to volunteer in Thailand? How many volunteers are there on site at the same time? Can you tell me more about your partner in Thailand? Who organizes my visa for my volunteer placement? ------ Tell me more about Thailand? The Kingdom of Thailand, covering an area of 514,000 square kilometres, lies in the heart of Southeast Asia, roughly equidistant between India and China. It shares borders with Myanmar to the west and north, Lao P.D.R. to the north and northeast, Cambodia to the east and Malaysia to the south. Thailand has a population of about 60 million. Ethnic Thais form the majority, though the area has historically been a migratory crossroads, and thus strains of Mon, Khmer, Burmese, Lao, Malay, Indian and most strongly, Chinese stock produce a degree of ethnic diversity. Integration is such, however, that culturally and socially there is enormous unity. For more information I suggest you purchase the Lonely Planet's guide to Thailand. You can find weather information here. What kind of volunteer work is available? Depending on the duration of your stay, your education and experience, you may participate in the following activities:
You work a six-day week, at variable working hours in a morning shift and an afternoon shift. On your days off (not necessarily on the weekends) you can go sightseeing or visit other parts of Thailand. You can't claim a specific day off or specific activities you would like to do. The needs of the project will decide what has to be done and when. The atmosphere at the center is informal and relaxed and by mutual agreement many things are possible. The project is developing quickly however and therefore the work that has to be done is changing all the time. You will be scheduled where you are most needed and where your skills can be used to the maximum advantage. Please understand that it is not the idyllic and easy holiday that some people expect. The work can be quite draining, however the rewards of helping in the conservation of this country outweigh any of the momentary hardships. How do I get to the project? From Bangkok it is possible to travel by bus, train or taxi. As the location of our wildlife project is not known to everyone it is best to have one of the staff or volunteers to pick you up from either bus or train station of Cha-am. (at no cost). The bus journey from Bangkok takes 2 or 3 hours. The project also has contacts with a friendly taxi driver who can meet you at Bangkok International Airport and take you to the project site. A taxi-transfer like this will cost approx. USD 50, to be paid on location. To arrange for that taxi-transfer, you will need to contact the project manager by e-mail, at least two weeks before your scheduled arrival and provide him with date and time of arrival, as well as your flight number. Tell me more about the accommodation? Accommodation is in a simple bungalow at the center. Each bungalow has its own toilet (Normal European toilet.) and shower. The kitchen is in front of the main bungalow. The rooms are for one to two people. You must have a positive attitude towards working and living in a group and take the responsibilities that this way of living holds. Your stay at the center will be rather primitive. Volunteers are expected to help with housekeeping duties. Lunch and dinner is prepared by a Thai cook. She provides both European and Thai food. For vegetarians special arrangements can be made, and although Thai food is usually spicy the cook knows how to please everybody's taste. What animals do you have at the center? It is impossible to write down on one single page the particular details of all the different species you encounter on the center. In general most of the animals are primates; White handed Gibbons (Hylobates lar), White-cheeked Gibbons (Hylobates leucogenys) , Long-tail macaques (Macaca fascicularis), Stump-tail macaques (Macaca arctoides), Pig-tail macaques (Macaca nemestrina), Dusky Langur (Trachypeticus obscurus) and even Asiatic black-bears (Ursus thibetanus) or Tigers (Pantera tigris). Besides this we house several Civets and other smaller animals. One can say that most animals are due to their upbringing amongst people quite tame, but we never forget that they are wild animals, and therefore not to be trusted when captive. This new center is still young; the number and the selection of species in the center may have changed by the time you participate. Do I have to be from New Zealand? The project is open to people from all over the world. What age do you have to be to volunteer? You must be 18 years old and above. There is no upper limit. You just have to be in good health. What immunizations/vaccines will I need? We advise that you consult your doctor about this. The vaccination against Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio, and Hepatitis A and B are obligatory. Without these vaccinations you are not allowed to work with the animals. Do I need to speak English to become a volunteer? Yes, English is the main language used at the project. When do I need to arrive in Thailand? You can start the program at anytime during the year and you can volunteer anywhere from a minimum of 1 month to a maximum of 3 months. Are we able to do any sightseeing while volunteering? Yes, you can do this on your day off. You are also welcome to travel further around Thailand before or after your placement. Are there more expenses once I arrive? The program fee covers accommodation and meals. If you arrive early or intend on staying on in Thailand for longer than you are volunteering then you will need to have spare money for this time. Also some money may be required for your days off. Other costs include your flights, Visa, shots, travel insurance, departure tax and any shopping you will do personally. How safe is it to volunteer in Thailand? We work very hard to ensure you are placed in safe environments while volunteering. Thailand is one of the safer countries in Asia and you will find the people very welcoming and kind. How many volunteers are there on site at the same time? This depends on how many people volunteer at any one time. Usually there are between 4 and 10 volunteers at any one time. Can you tell me more about your partner in Thailand? The aim of the project is to save wild animals and their habitat from destruction. Their strategy towards achieving this aim involves three complementary tasks:
You do if it is required. Also our program guide has links to Thai Embassies through out the world. ------ Question not covered here? Please check the generic FAQ, and if still unanswered, please submit your question here. (We aim to answer all email within 48 hours). |
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