Bangkok

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Volunteer Work in Bangkok

Bangkok is a vibrant city with many volunteer opportunities available at a variety of organizations. Volunteers work side-by-side with local people and learn about the social challenges facing this dynamic city through service in CCS Partner Programs, such as:

• Caregiving : Volunteers can work with children, the elderly, and people with disabilities in Bangkok. Day care centers, nursing homes, and centers for children with disabilities in the region are often overcrowded, because there are not enough facilities, or caretakers. These organizations benefit from the human support and creativity that volunteers can bring.
• Teaching : One of the most common placements in Bangkok is teaching English in a variety of settings. Volunteers teach English within day care centers, primary schools, health care centers, and even in local universities, and schools for monks. While English is commonly taught from primary school onward, students are very eager to learn English from native speakers, to better their pronunciation, understanding, and usage of the language, and therefore improve their educational and career opportunities. Volunteers help students to learn and practice conversing in English in a fun and educative manner.
• Healthcare : Volunteers can observe and assist local health professionals in Bangkok. Healthcare is viewed very holistically in Thailand, so it often includes treatment of the mind, body, and soul. Volunteers may help provide physical therapy and other exercises to promote muscle movement, or help to plan physical, occupational, or recreational activities. Volunteers may also work within hospital settings, teaching English to the local staff.

Volunteer Abroad, Intern Abroad, and Insight Abroad (one week) programs are offered in Bangkok. Placements are always designed to match your skills and interests to the needs identified by the community.

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Cultural & Learning Activities in Bangkok

Building on your volunteer work in Bangkok, Thailand, Cultural & Learning Activities may include a discussion with a UNICEF worker on the evolution of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Thailand, a visit by a local Buddhist monk and expert on the religion to share how it has shaped Thai culture, a Thai cooking class, a Thai massage demonstration, a tour of the Grand Palace, and more. Volunteers may visit the Erawan waterfall, or take a trip upcountry to an agricultural farm. For those interested, Thai classes are also available twice a week.

The variety of activities in Bangkok year-round provide ample opportunities for learning about the local culture, and experienced CCS staff in Bangkok ensures that you'll gain the local perspective on all that Bangkok and Thailand has to offer.

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Free Time in Bangkok

During your Free Time volunteers in Bangkok can visit temples, such as Wat Arun, the temple of the dawn, or Wat Po, Bangkok's oldest wat and home of the Reclining Buddha, or take a long-tail boat ride down the Chao Phraya River. Many volunteers enjoy seeing a Thai kickboxing match, or getting a Thai massage; you can even take lessons in either of these. Karaoke, bowling, and movies are available at any shopping mall.

You may also choose to travel outside of the local area and visit the up-country towns of Chang Mai and Chang Rai where traditional Thai cooking classes, hill-tribe treks, and elephant reserves can all be part of a weekend excursion. Or you can travel south to Phuket, Ko Samui, or any one of the hundreds of beautiful islands and beaches Thailand has to offer.

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Home-Base in Bangkok

The Home-Base in Bangkok is located in the Bangsue district, in north Bangkok. This residential area is more tranquil than central Bangkok, while still having good access to the city, via train or taxi. The house is spacious and comfortable, with five air-conditioned dormitory style rooms which sleep 4-6 people per room. At the Home-Base is the CCS office, as well as a dining area, small kitchen, and lounge/resource room. Plenty of outside seating allows volunteers time to enjoy the year-round warm climate. This Home-Base is also accessible to people with mobility restrictions.

The CCS staff in Bangkok will make you feel at home during your stay and help you to better understand the culture. Pimsuda Tiandum is the Country Director for CCS in Thailand, and was born and raised in Bangkok. She says:

"I try to emphasize the need for volunteers to let go of their own expectations and be willing to share and learn from others. Generally, I think the more you know about Thailand the more surprised you get!"

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In-Country Staff in Bangkok

Local CCS staff in Bangkok will welcome you to the community, make you feel at home, and help you better understand Thai culture and history. They will help facilitate your volunteer experience and are always available to answer any questions that may arise. CCS staff is always from the region where we operate—they provide a local perspective, help you learn the local language, and guide you in what to do in your free time.

All of our in-country staff members are warm, loving people who will make sure you are well cared for. Each CCS program site has a Country Director or Program Director and a full staff to take care of all programming, administrative, and logistical needs, as well as housekeepers, drivers, house guards, and cooks. Because the staff office is typically located at the CCS Home-Base, a helping hand is never far. Learn more about our staff in Bangkok below.

Country Director: Pimsuda Tiandum
Pimsuda has been with CCS Thailand since its inception in 2002, and is a Bangkok-born native of Thailand. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in nursing and master’s degree in Community and Industrial Guidance and Counseling from universities in the United States. Prior to CCS, she had over 22 years of work experience in family health, family planning, HIV/AIDS, emergency relief work in refugee camps, development, and environmental awareness education.

Her extensive experience includes 11 years working with the U.S. Peace Corps in Thailand, and over ten years of work in a variety of social services and educational settings – the regional office of Family Planning International Assistance, an international arm of Planned Parenthood of America; the Population and Community Development Association, a local NGO; and Mahidol University. Pimsuda believes deeply in a holistic approach to development and her biggest and most ambitious goal is to create a network of people from various cultural backgrounds to work together and share their experience to help improve life quality of underserved Thai people.

Pimsuda’s experience in development work and cross-cultural settings, and her in-depth knowledge of her own culture and people helped her establish CCS Thailand in 2002. She is proud to say that her work at CCS truly responds to the real needs identified in the community.

Program Officer: Kesara “Uan” Laohapisitpanich  
Uan works closely with CCS partner organizations in the community, arranging all the details for the volunteers' worksites. This staff member accompanies volunteers during Cultural & Learning Activities.

Administrative Assistant: Khamsaeng "Air" Sawangwong
Air is in charge of day-to-day administration of CCS Bangkok and she works hard to provide volunteers with a comfortable Home-Base. She is very friendly and really fun to be around.

Driver: Burin "Benz" Sukhumwan
Benz safely drives volunteers to and from placement and their cultural and learning activities. He is a bit shy, but eager to learn English or teach volunteers Thai.

Housekeepers/Cooks: Sakorn "Noo" Jeepeth-iam and Bussaba "Bute" Ango
Noo and Bute are very diligent, but shy staff members—they have good hearts and big smiles. They keep the house clean, tidy, and safe and also cook meals for the volunteers.