Nan Province

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

Impact Areas

Child Education
Many students in the Nan Province are children of seasonal farm workers who live with relatives during the off-season, or belong to a nearby Hill Tribe. These students struggle with transportation to schools and as a result have poor attendance and high drop-out rates. The schools themselves struggle with providing enough teachers, especially those who can teach English, which provides a foundation for more employment opportunities within Thailand. In these under resourced schools, CCS volunteers provide valuable language lessons and engaging activities for young students that drive attendance while promoting the importance of education to the broader community.

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Child Health
Because of transportation challenges, children from Hill Tribe communities end up living at the schools in boarding residents. In these under resourced facilities young students live with poor sanitation facilities and with limited public health education to improve hygiene and sanitation practices. CCS volunteers improve school dorming facilities by constructing WASH stations, implementing hygiene workshops and conduct dental health campaigns, making a lasting difference in the health and safety of young Thai students.

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Project Highlight: Ratchaprachanukhro 56 School

In the extremely under resourced school of Ratchaprachanukhro, students come from 10 separate Hill Tribes and the greater Thai community of Nan. The diversity of students creates a vibrant culture truly unique to the region. In addition to their formal education, students participate in activities that reflect their distinct tribal culture, including "mini farms" on campus. Students from Hill Tribes often live at the school in separate housing units by tribe providing opportunities for before and after school engagement. With English classes in most need at the school, volunteers provide educational opportunities across classrooms, while inspiring students with engaging activities and games.

Read more about the Thailand volunteer experience on our blog!

Known as The Land of Smiles, Thailand has become one of the world’s most visited destinations. A unique mix of advanced modernization and culture, Thailand is a fascinating contrast across big high rise buildings, ancient temples, beautiful nature, blend of multiple ethnicities and religions across the local people who all live in harmony together. The Nan Province is one of Thailand’s hidden gems: The Land of Love Whispering. A dream destinations for visitors, you'll find yourself in a quiet city full of history and surrounded by nature, mountains, lush green fields, streams, and filled with friendly local people who smile waiting volunteers to visit them.

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

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

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Discover Thai Buddhism

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 not only visit multiple temples, but also create a Tung flag to present to the temple for good merit. You'll hear monks chanting, learn the different styles of temples, and learn about the rich history of Buddhism and the influence it still has on the Thai culture today.

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 northern Thailand'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.

Pay Your Respects at Wat Phumin

Marvel at Wat Phumin and soak in the beauty and culture that makes up Nan's most famous temple. From the moment you step through the intricate doors designed by Lanna craftsmen, you'll find that you're never out of eyesight of one of the four Buddha statues that adorn the center of the room. You'll immediately notice Pu Man, one of Thailand's most famous wall murals, that depicts the life, attire, and traditions that make the Nan Province so unique.

Taste Thai Street Food

Thailand is famous for an abundance of night markets in every city, featuring diverse street food, lines of stalls with Thai souvenirs, and dance and music performances. Following a dinner out, join our team in exploring the sights, sounds, and smells of Nan Province's nightlife.

Explore the Nan River

Winding through the fertile lands of the Nan Basin, the Nan River has long been an important element of daily Thai life for the people of this province, supporting rice farming, fishing, and transportation. As you tour the Nan River, you might even come across houseboats and river houses, an important aspect of regional living for the Phitsanulok people.

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!

Discover Thai Dressmaking

Meet with local seamstresses to learn how a beautiful dress is made from beginning to end. As you visit museum displaying the original Nan Province dress wear and participate in the preparation of cotton for sewing, using old fashioned tools such as a cotton weaving wheel and loom, you will walk away with a new appreciation for the effort, attention to detail, and love required to make each piece of this beautiful clothing.

Create Thai Pottery and Baskets

Work alongside local people engaged in Thai pottery and weaving who have passed down these skills for generations. You will have a chance to create your own pottery and weave your own baskets or dream catchers, believed to keep away evil spirits and provide safety to your home.

Time to Unwind

FREE TIME

MEET THE HILL TRIBES

With the population of the Nan Province including members of several hill tribes, such as the Mien and Hmong people, you will have the unique opportunity to learn about the colorful fabrics and traditions of a population with a distinct culture and history. Try your hand at creating these textiles, and get to know the personal stories of the women of northern Thailand.

TREK THE RICE TERRACES

Thailand is one of the world's top exporter of rice, and northern Thailand is particularly known for it's rice production. Enjoy stunning views as you trek through the beautiful countryside of the Nan Province and experience agricultural life in the Thai rice terraces.

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 Koh Phi Phi where you can sip banana shakes swinging in a shaded hammock, or leap off of one of Koh 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!

Your Home Away from Home

The Nan Province Home-Base

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The Nan Province home-base is located in one of the most beautiful and genuine communities in Thailand. Surrounded by plenty of outdoor space and greenery that characterizes this agricultural area volunteers can unwind in authentic Thai living areas or retreat to a cozy bedroom at the end of a rewarding work day. With shops only a 5 minute walk away, and the town center 10 minutes away, you'll have access to local amenities and soak up the unique cultures of the Nan Province. If you're looking for city life, the town of Nan offers vibrant night markets, unique street food stalls, and a seemingly unlimited number of coffee shops.

In the Home-Base, you'll be treated to delicious Thai meals, lovingly prepared by the CCS cook Jiew. Put your own twist on our Pad Thai during a CCS cooking lesson as you embrace the Thai way of "Mai-Pen-Rai" (meaning, anything is fine).

Your Nan Province Staff

JACK NITSIRI, COUNTRY PRESIDENT

I draw my inspiration from his Majesty the King Bhumibol Adulyadej who upholds the principle of giving the needy a tool to catch fish, rather than handing out fish as their food. This is exactly what CCS aims to do. Instead of simply giving away money, we provide volunteer services to the Thai communities who need it most.

After spending a summer abroad in Florida, I realized just how much knowing English can help open ones' world. I wanted to find a way to give this opportunity to others in Thailand. I joined CCS in 2008, after graduating from college. In 2015 I took an opportunity to work for the U.S. Embassy, but ultimately decided to return to my CCS family in 2018. I love working for CCS because I get to see just how much the volunteer work both impacts the volunteers' hearts and improves the education of the Thai children we serve. I am inspired by volunteers who chose to give up their time back home to come and support our communities 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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