Bangkok

THAILAND

“The whole experience was off the charts beautiful. Beautiful sights, beautiful people. I even found the beauty in myself.”

— Katie Nichols, volunteer

The Land of Smiles

Volunteer in Thailand

Poverty has declined substantially over the last 30 years in Thailand. Large-scale income inequality, however, poses a significant challenge to families. Vulnerable groups, such as migrants, informal workers, and displaced persons are not equally benefiting from Thailand’s economic successes. Women and children are still vulnerable and gender equality continues to stifle progress. With more than 7.3 million people living in poverty, and the majority in rural areas, the drive to move to cities such as Bangkok is strong.

Join CCS Thailand as we support the education and well-being of vulnerable children and their families. Education in Thailand is valued greatly, and our programs provide support for English language, recreational, and educational curricula. In addition to the many daycares and community centers that focus on early childhood development, our work expands to schools who welcome the support of international volunteers.

CCS in Thailand has been working for the last 15 years as a leader in early childhood education with the support of our international volunteer base.

FACT SHEET

Population Below Poverty Line

7.3 Million

Human Development Index Ranking

93 / 188 countries

Adolescent Birth Rate

41 / 1,000 teens ages 15-19

Volunteer in Thailand:Opportunities with CCS in Bangkok

Change Their World. Change Yours.

Volunteering in Thailand, you'll soak up the cultural influences of India, China and Cambodia and the strong presence of Buddhism, all of which meld together to create the unique richness of Thailand. You'll also see that over the years, many young Thai people have relocated to Bangkok in search of economic opportunity. This migration, however, has resulted in overcrowding and has put a serious strain on social resources, creating the context for your volunteer experience. As a volunteer in Thailand, you'll work side by side with local people to address these issues as you embark on an unforgettable journey deep into one of the world’s most beautiful places and fascinating cultures.

Read more about the Thailand volunteer experience on our blog!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN THAILAND

Once enrolled, you will have the chance to select the volunteer opportunity that's most interesting to you. Volunteers will always receive their first preference. The only exception to this will be when there are national or school holidays, or there are exceptional circumstances.

Child Development
CCS volunteers in Thailand greatly contribute to improving the quality of education that every child deserves. Primary schools and organizations that support vulnerable children are under resourced and understaffed. CCS volunteers assist teachers, conduct educational and recreational programming, teach English language skills, and provide children with much needed one-on-one attention.

Global Health
Through outreach, education, and care, you will provide much-needed support to vulnerable children and adults in low-income communities. In addition CCS is spearheading multiple public health projects in Thailand including vision screening for children, oral health campaigns, and the promotion of hygiene in schools.

Voices from the Community

"By teaching English to our children, volunteers have helped us reach our educational goals for our students. They always have fun new ideas to share."

"Since the volunteers have become the center of attention in the local community, they also draw positive attention to our center and have helped our community to become more aware of the work that we do with local children."

"Being taught by English speaking volunteers has helped our students easily absorb proper pronunciation. This increases their chances of moving on to a good primary school to continue their education."

Immerse Yourself

CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

Destination free time activities background

Tour Bangkok

Set off with a group of your fellow volunteers on a scavenger hunt throughout Bangkok, armed with a map, instructions, and some Thai baht -- the national currency -- compliments of the CCS staff. You’ll take your first tuk-tuk, light a lotus candle in a Buddhist temple, and visit an open-air market where you’ll make some interesting purchases. Reconvene at Home-Base to share what you've learned and enjoy the unique fruits and vegetables you picked up at the market!

Learn to Speak Thai

CCS Thai language classes will focus on spoken Thai. Your CCS Thai language instructor will teach you what you need to know to shop Bangkok’s famous markets, connect with the beneficiaries at your volunteer assignment, and communicate, in perfect Thai, just how spicy you like your tom yum soup.

Cook Thai Cuisine

Learn how to make traditional pad thai, a staple of Thai cuisine, with our CCS cook at the Home-Base kitchen. Follow along with your English recipe handout, and of course, you'll have a chance to dig in to an authentic Thai meal after all that hard work. Pass the Sriracha sauce, please!

Buddhism History

An interest in Buddhism, the spiritual practice of about 95% of Thailand’s population, brings thousands of curious visitors to Thailand every year. With CCS, you'll have a chance to talk with a Buddhist monk in the comfort of your own Home-Base. Take advantage of this rare opportunity to learn all about Buddhism, from the basics, to common stereotypes and why there are no female monks. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, with CCS lectures, it's all fair game.

Visit the Grand Palace

The CCS Thailand staff will take you to cultural, historic, and spiritual landmarks in and around Bangkok. Visit the central Grand Palace, a stunning example of classic Thai architecture. You'll find the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, which houses a gold statue of the sitting Buddha that's over 2000 years old. Next see the larger-than-life statue of the Reclining Buddha. The only problem you'll have here is finding a perfect camera angle to capture its impressive size.

Float Over Lotus Fields

Travel with CCS staff to farming communities outside of Bangkok. Float atop lotus fields and watch as workers cut and collect the delicate flowers. Next, visit an orchid farm and ogle the thousands of wild and hybrid specimens.

Time to Unwind

FREE TIME

EXPLORE CHIANG RAI

If you’re planning a trip to Chiang Mai, don't forget to visit its more rural neighbor, Chiang Rai. See how the hill tribes of Chiang Rai have preserved their heritage and way of life. Make your way up north to the Golden Triangle, where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos meet. Stand atop a rocky cliff face for a view across the Mekong River valley to Laos, and take a moment to appreciate the region's incredible natural beauty as well as its complex history.

TAKE A DIP IN PHUKET

If you've ever fantasized about your ideal island paradise, chances are, you'll find it in Phuket. You'll have a busy schedule visiting Phuket’s Buddhist and Taoist temples and the nearly 8-foot tall Big Buddha. Set aside time to visit the outlying islands like Phi Phi where you can sip banana shakes swinging in a shaded hammock, or leap off of one of Phi Phi’s 70-foot-tall limestone cliffs into the turquoise bay below.

SWIM IN KO CHANG

Vacation like a local with a trip down to Ko Chang and its neighboring islands in the Gulf of Thailand. Enjoy beaches less-traveled, hike to the tops of spectacular waterfalls, and splash around in natural pools. Give your legs a rest with an elephant ride through the island’s jungles; wear your swimsuit under your clothes so you can recline on the elephant’s back while it bathes itself in rivers, but watch out for its trunk or you might get a shower too!

TRAILBLAZE THROUGH SOUTHEAST ASIA

You won't find a better gateway to Southeast Asia than Bangkok. Get off the typical tourist track and bike the backroads along the Mekong River, marking the border between Thailand and Laos, and check out the awe-inspiring Bay of Islands. Head south to Cambodia, home to Angkor Wat, the largest Hindu temple in the world. Follow the southern circuit through the rugged jungles of Malaysia, or splurge on a night’s stay at a hotel in Singapore.

LIVE LIKE A LOCAL

From traditional Thai massage parlors to unparalleled cuisine ranging from national dishes like pad thai, to incredible fusion cuisine, you'll never go wrong spending your free time right in your own backyard. Join the crowd for a Muay Thai boxing match, or spend a day getting lost in the city's famous markets; whether you’re looking to stock up on Thai spices, or handmade trinkets, there’s a market for that! If you’re in search of some serenity, relax at a Thai spa.

Your Home Away from Home

The Bangkok Home-Base

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Located within walking distance of all of the conveniences you may need during your stay, our Bangkok Home-Base sits on a lovely piece of land surrounded by lush Thai trees and flowers.

Every room in your Thai home away from home has a connected bathroom and AC control. Living areas are communal with more than enough space to store your personal belongings. You'll enjoy common areas that include a porch, a common room filled with travel books, and a small workout room. This Home-Base will truly feel like home when you arrive!

At the CCS Home-Base, you'll find a never-ending supply of familiar and exotic fruits in the fridge, a fun assortment of Southeast Asian condiments to sample, and tons of Thai tea. Enjoy tasty local dishes including pad thai and noodle soups, and of course, you're always welcome to lend a hand in the kitchen.

Your Bangkok Staff

PIMSUDA TIANDUM, COUNTRY PRESIDENT

I am an advocate for a holistic approach to development, and believe that an important step to improving the quality of life for Thai people is through a strong network of people from many cultural backgrounds.

Born in Bangkok, I was taught from a young age to create a life that benefitted those that were less fortunate. Education took me across Thailand and to the U.S., and my training as a Registered Nurse laid the foundation to become involved in community issues. Through nursing and counseling in public and clinical health, HIV/AIDS family planning, and providing emergency relief in refugee camps, I have been able to give back to those with limited access to resources and healthcare in Thailand. Today, with Cross-Cultural Solutions, I am able to realize my goal to create a community of people from around the world to make a difference in the education and health of those most vulnerable in Thailand.

Country Staff

When Can I Go?

COSTS & DATES

Reserve your spot today with a deposit of $350! Fees and start dates vary by destination and duration. Make selections below to get started. Did you know your out-of-pocket trip costs might be just a fraction of the below? Click here to find out how.

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