Lanta Animal Welfare (LAW) is a non-profit organisation, based on the island of Koh Lanta in the southwest of Thailand. LAW’s objective is to relieve the suffering of the island’s dogs and cats, primarily by reducing the population through sterilisation. It also provides medical care and vaccinations. To date, LAW has sterilised and vaccinated over 9,000 animals.

Location: Koh Lanta

Volunteer Work: LAW is always in need of general volunteers and vet volunteers. General volunteer duties include cleaning dog kennels and cat cages, feeding and watering the animals, washing towels and linen, grooming the animals, spending time with the cats, walking the dogs, greeting and registering pet owners who bring their animals for treatment as well as providing visiting tourists and dog walkers with a tour of our centre. Volunteer vet duties will include spaying and neutering animals on a daily basis, as well as examining pets brought in by their owners and administering medical treatment as needed, as well as being on call out of hours. Occasionally, vets will be out roaming the island catching strays as well. In this case, experience in darting dogs is extremely valuable.

Commitment: 1 month minimum

Cost: LAW provides free on-site accommodation to all long term volunteers (minimum stay one month) on a first come, first served basis, but food is at their own expense. The placement fee is 10,000 Thai Baht. Of this, 5,000 Thai Baht is refunded at the end of the placement (conditions apply). Should there be no free accommodation at the time a volunteer wishes to come, or should they wish to opt for their own accommodation, LAW can make recommendations of other places to stay.

Daughters Rising is a charity organisation that was started to support and aid development in isolated, rural communities in northern Thailand. Many of the communities supported by the organisation are of Karen and Kayan origin and have multiple problems limiting their access to health care. The role of a volunteer medic, within the project would be to provide mobile medical clinics in these remote communities as well as supervising ongoing development of a sustainable health education project.

Location: Chai Lai Orchid Eco Lodge; Mae Wang; Chiang Mai

Volunteer Work: Medical doctor volunteer positions. Medical student volunteer positions. Various non-medical positions with English teaching and other teaching programmes run by the charity. We can only accommodate 2-5 volunteers at any one time.

Commitment: 7 days minimum, no maximum

Cost: All accommodation and food will be provided. Transport to local community projects and translators will be provided. Travel to Thailand is not provided by the charity.

Peace and Happiness Foundation teach the unprivileged children of Thailand to develop analytical thinking skills with the use of English language.

Location: Chiang Rai

Volunteer Work: We would need a volunteer to teach and facilitate the class of primary students under Grade 1 and 2. The volunteer will use the teaching videos of our native English speaker teacher to teach and will facilitate and interact if they need to do the activities. The subjects that will be covered are Math, English, Social Studies, Health Education and Science. All lesson plans are created by our team with a lot of activities to cover different type of learners.

Commitment: 2 months (can be less or longer depending on the availability of the volunteer)

Cost: The accommodation will be provided for free by the community and school. Lunch will also be covered by the school. The rest of needs will be shouldered by the volunteer.

Child Rights Protection Centre is an organization a full-time home for girls who are at-risk for human trafficking. The shelter is home to fifteen girls, aged 12 to 19. At the shelter, the girls receive everything they need to succeed in their education: food, clothing, transportation to and from school, exciting study tours, and most importantly, a loving, supportive family environment.

Location: Chiang Khong (2 hours from Chiang Rai)

Volunteer Work: We are looking for someone friendly, open-minded, outgoing and a great communicator, who will not be shy to get involved and encourage English conversation. We expect the volunteer to be a positive role-model for the girls. You should therefore enjoy being with teenagers. Aside from teaching English, there is also the opportunity to get involved with the day-to-day running of the organization, and with project work in the community. This opportunity is for women only.

Commitment: 3 months minimum. However, if you have a specific skill that you would like to share with staff, or an activity you would like to lead with the girls, please contact us via our website.

Cost: Free, including basic meals and accommodation. Volunteers must cover their own visa, health insurance and travel costs.

Friends of Thai Daughters have a safe shelter for at-risk girls. They aim to provide a loving, family style environment, and support their daughters (aged 10 to 22) all the way to University.

Location: Chiang Rai

Volunteer Work: We are looking for outgoing and energetic female volunteers to teach English to the girls, immerse them in English, and teach a few hours of English every week at a local primary school.

Commitment: Usually at least 3 months. However, if you would like to lead an activity over a weekend, or you would like to arrange a group visit, you can contact us via our website.

Cost: Free accommodation and food.

Phuket Farmers Club started in September 2015. The long-term objective is to become a learning centre for all visitors and volunteers in order for them to learn basic techniques on sustainable farming. We also would like to create a network with local farmers and become a local organic seed bank. There are thousands of things to do here including preparing compost and finalizing the raised and wicking beds. We really need your help here.

Location: Phuket Island in Thailand, in a non-touristic area near some national parks with waterfalls

Volunteer Work: We ask the volunteers to work 4 hours per day, 6 days per week. We usually work from 8am until lunch time and in the afternoon the volunteers are free to do what they want. Right now we are looking for gardening and natural building skills but the most important is a positive mind.

Commitment: 1 week minimum (less than a week is considered to be a “guest visit” and will be charged 200 Thai Baht a night)

Cost: 500 Thai Baht per week which includes accommodation (in dormitory house) and basic necessities such as coffee and tea. Food is not included; however, there many Thai restaurants nearby where you can eat for less than US$2 a meal. We can also arrange motorbike rental for you to move around the island and advise on what to do in Phuket and Thailand.

Care for Dogs Foundation is a non profit foundation dedicated to improving the lives of the abandoned, abused and injured dogs living on and off the streets in Chiang Mai. Adoptions, sterilizations, emergency and long-term medical care and education are all supplied by our dedicated team of volunteers and staff.

Location: Chiang Mai

Volunteer Work: We are looking for volunteers from all walks of life to help us with the many tasks that help improve the dogs’ lives. Working with street and temple dogs is a very rewarding experience, even if you sometimes might come in touch with sad situations.

Commitment: 4 days minimum. Prior to starting we request all new volunteers to attend an orientation. These are held at 10am each Wednesday. Registration via email at contact@carefordogs.org is necessary.

Cost: There is no cost to participate but volunteers must cover their own living expenses.

Soi Dog Foundation (SDF) is a not-for-profit, legally registered charitable organization, which helps the homeless, neglected and abused dogs and cats of Thailand. Soi Dog’s mission is to improve the welfare of animals in Asia, resulting in better lives for both the animal and human communities, to end animal cruelty, and to ultimately create a society without homeless animals.

Location: Mai Khao, Phuket, Southern Thailand

Volunteer Work: Walking dogs, petting cats, playing with puppies, and helping street dogs and stray cats learn to trust people again. This socialization is essential for them to be successfully adopted into homes. Volunteers with a veterinary background may be able to work with our clinic staff to provide medical treatment for the hundreds of dogs and cats in our care.

Commitment: 1 week minimum

Cost: Soi Dog does not charge any money to volunteer. Local hotels and guesthouses range from around US$15 to US$25 per night. Much lower monthly rates are available. A meal in a local Thai restaurant costs around US$3. Soi Dog will provide transportation every day if you stay in Nai Yang or Mai Khao.

We Women foundation’s objective is to assist marginalized women from Burma to become leaders in their community, so that they can empower others in their own manner. By providing them with opportunities for academic and professional development, we support our students in gaining access to key positions within policy-making and influential organizations. The focus of this project is to offer the most promising young women with full scholarships for academic courses. University preparation, in-university guidance counselling, internship opportunities and an alumni network are related programs we make available.

Location: Chiang Mai

Volunteer Work: Currently, our strongest need is for volunteers who are interested in assisting We Women with fundraising and donor relations. We also have an ongoing need for volunteers who can be online tutors for scholarship students in University. The subjects depend on the course the students are enrolled in. Other activities volunteers can contribute to include: teaching English for academic writing; updating and developing database systems; organizing fundraising events; developing and updating the online shop; writing articles for our quarterly newsletter and blog; and taking care of the library.

Commitment: 3 month minimum
Cost: There is no cost to participate but volunteers must cover their own living expenses. Lunch is provided whilst working.

Dog Rescue Center Samui is a non-profit organisation looking after stray dogs and cats on the island

Location: Koh Samui

Volunteer Work: Volunteers are always welcome. Even if its only a few hours or one day, for us and the animals it is always a huge help. Around 350 dogs and 100 cats are waiting to be cuddled. Vets and veterinary students wishing to gain practical experience are welcome any time.

Commitment: Flexible

Cost: There is no cost to participate but volunteers must cover their own living expenses.

Thai Animal Sanctuary is a non-profit organization that strives to reduce the population of unwanted dogs with spay/neuter programs, and cares for sick animals.

Location: Sangklaburi, Thailand

Volunteer Work: There is plenty to do at the sanctuary: walking dogs, grooming, medicating, assisting with treatment of animals, assisting during spay/neuter projects, cleaning, DIY jobs, bamboo building, fundraising, raising awareness, teaching on the Education programme, helping with accounts, updating the website, volunteer recruitment, asking for donations, starting campaigns, applying for grants and increasing adoption rates. You do not need any qualifications to work with us, but we ask that you are motivated, use your initiative and be flexible – no two days at the sanctuary are the same. We are always in need of people with veterinary skills, whether this is for something specific like a spay/neuter project or for the day to day animal treatments. We often need information translating from English into Thai and Burmese. If you are fluent in either of these languages, we would love to hear from you.

Commitment: 1 week minimum

Cost: There is no cost to participate but volunteers must cover their own living expenses. Free meals (lunch and dinner) are available to volunteers while working at the sanctuary.

The Fountain of Life Women’s Center is a NGO that was started in 1989 by the Good Shepherd Sisters. The center provides support for women who are involved in the sex industry in Pattaya, Thailand. The center offers many courses including English and German lead by international volunteers.

Location: Pattaya, Thailand

Volunteer Work: In a center that has 20 years of experience, come to help women to find their dignity again and build true relationships through teaching English! You will be surrounded by a friendly environment including Thai staff, Thai women and other volunteers from around the world. Don’t worry; speaking Thai is not necessary to be able to be immersed in this amazing traditional Buddhist culture. You will be in the center of sex industry in Thailand, as Pattaya is the capital of this illegal business, so be ready for a challenging environment but you will receive so much trust and appreciation from the women. The women come to Pattaya to raise money for their families through the sex industry, but your presence here will help them realize that they can be strong and independent women. While volunteering at the center, accommodation will be free (except electricity and water) and you will have 2 meals provided Monday to Friday. You will also have your weekends free so you will be able to travel around Thailand and discover more of its beauty.

Commitment: 3 months minimum, 6 months maximum

Cost: Free accommodation (individual room in a shared apartment), 2 meals a day Monday to Friday and teaching material.

Orion Healing was founded in 2005 and has grown into a blissful centre for transformation. We have provided life-changing experiences to thousands of people from across the globe. Orion Healing is focused on healing people through yoga, meditation, detox, and reiki. We are here to aid in a positive change of humanity. We strive to open people’s hearts to allow them to follow their true passion, their dreams, and to love themselves. Our centre aims to send positive ripples throughout the world, reverberating through the population and growing in size as they travel through the global population.

Location: Koh Phangan, Thailand

Volunteer Work: Orion has many volunteer positions available, reception, yoga teachers, restaurant service and marketing. We are interested in people who have experience of at least 2 years in their specific field. If you are interested in one these positions please send a CV/Resume and what position you would like to apply for. This is an exchange, we have rooms available with two beds in each room and we provide up to 500 Thai Baht working day worth of food in our restaurant. We ask that you are with us for at least 4 months and would prefer 6 months. If you can not commit to this length of time please do not email. These positions require someone who has previous work experience and works well with clients in a customer service company, you need to be able to handle a fast paced customer service orientated position. Previous experience in customer service is a must. We require the person to work 4 days a week 9am-6pm. We have a vegan/vegetarian restaurant here on location with amazing food. You can eat your meals when you are hungry.

Commitment: 4-6 months

Cost: Free accommodation (shared room) and two meals per day. We offer free yoga classes and workshops outside of volunteering hours. Volunteers are responsible for their own food while not working.

Center for Girls aim at inspiring and empowering people, mostly women and children, to become forces for change in their communities. Through our projects, we create strong networks that put in place a system though which those who are at risk of sexual abuse, trafficking, and other forms of exploitation can be identified, supported, and given the assistance they need.

Location: Chiang Khong (2 hours from Chiang Rai)

Volunteer Work: We are looking for fun loving but hard working volunteers to help teach English to staff, maintain and promote our social media accounts, work on website development (WordPress experience a plus), write blog posts, filmmaking, grant writing and help with project work.

Commitment: Usually at least 1 month. However, if you have a specific skill that you would like to share with us, please contact us.

Cost: Free, including food and comfortable accommodation. Volunteers must cover their own visa, health insurance and travel costs.