Volunteer Programs in Chiang Mai, Thailand

GoEco is one of the world’s top volunteer organizations, with award-winning and ethical programs selected by sustainable travel experts. Since 2006, tens of thousands of volunteers have taken part in projects and internships worldwide, focusing on wildlife and marine conservation, education, and medical initiatives. GoEco operates in over 50 countries, providing unique cultural immersive experiences that aim to make a positive impact on the environment and society. The organization also offers internships and academic programs for students. GoEco provides safe and meaningful experiences while promoting sustainable travel and reducing carbon emissions.

Participate in this NGO development internship in Thailand and cultivate your knowledge and experience of international development. The program offers an excellent way to use your skills to help build the capacity of an NGO’s local staff. We work with several NGOs in the Chiang Mai province. They are looking for interns to assist with the production of marketing materials and the education of local staff to ultimately improve the quality of their English language publications. These NGOs focus on a range of issues including education, children’s rights, care for the elderly, and health. An internship in Thailand is excellent for students and those looking to change careers as it provides valuable experience on how NGOs work within a professional, international setting. To be eligible for this program, candidates should: - Be professional and experienced - Have an excellent command of the English language - Have completed the first year of a relevant university course or have some experience in proposal writing, teaching, or marketing - Be flexible, patient, and able to work in a multicultural team

In Northern Thailand, support local community members and elephant mahouts to reintegrate these intelligent land animals into expansive forest grounds. You’ll live in the rolling hillside province of Chiang Mai among local Karen communities, where you can learn about the diversity of Karen culture and gain cross-cultural skills. Guided by local mahouts, you’ll go on hiking expeditions to record elephant behavioral data and take note of their sensory reactions to their environment and food sources. You’ll also learn how to identify the biodiversity in the area, conduct insect and stream surveys, and gain camera trapping skills. GVI collaborates with local partners to ensure ethical best practices are measured against the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). This is an opportunity to expand your skill-set for animal conservation and knowledge of one of the world’s most cognitively advanced land animals. In your free time, trek through jungle landscapes, hike up nearby mountains, view contoured rice terraces, and meet like-minded people from all around the world.

Thailand is an exciting country to travel too. Not only is is cheap, easy to get around, with friendly locals, it’s also an adventure lovers playground! Theres so much to do here, from exploring the capital city of Bangkok, trekking in the jungle, swimming in natural waterfalls, relaxing on the beach or any number of adreneline pumping activities. A lot of our projects are concentrated on conservation, as this is a big problem, now more than ever. You will get to experience the ‘real’ Thailand, for a true authenic travel experience, and with the knowledge that you are helping underprivilaged communites and the environment! Volunteer with IVI for authentic, affordable and life changing projects in Thailand. We have over 35+ years of experience as a charity and non profit org and are passionate about helping those less fortuanate than ourselves.

A region accentuated by the colorful robes of Buddhist monks, the vivid greens of rice fields and jungle forests, and the cultural diversity of hill tribe communities—this is the ultimate Southeast Asia semester. Each country offers a unique cultural experience unto itself, and each faces the challenge of reconciling urban expansion and industrialization with indigenous land rights, free movement of nomadic peoples, and equal access to resources. This semester, walk among ancient temples, traverse mountainous jungles, and explore the clear blue water of Thailand’s beaches. You’ll explore tradition, globalization, and human rights against the backdrop of two of Asia’s most complex nations. Immerse yourself in community life through homestays and visits to remote villages. Emerge with your self-awareness and perspective forever altered. 2025: CLOSED Spring 2026: February 25 - May 6 Fall 2026: September 24 - December 4

Delve deeper into the teen Thai experience with this incredible service program just off the beaten path. Travel to a new part of the world and explore Northern Thailand while you work with the magnificent Asian elephants at our partner elephant sanctuary. You will be directly involved with their care, spending all day with them, forming bonds and lifelong memories while learning about the conservation of these gentle giants. After working with the elephants, we will spend a day whitewater rafting down the mighty Pai River, taking in the scenic mountain surroundings and enjoying each other’s company on the quiet river banks. We will finish our travels in the historical city of Chiang Mai, basking in the down-to-earth charm of this northern gem, shopping at local markets, enjoying a traditional Thai massage, and seeing lavish historic temples.

This meaningful project was created to improve the education of Thailand’s Buddhist monks. Love Volunteers works with a local organization offering free programs involving English learning to novice monks in temple schools. These schools are also open to non-monastic students from poor backgrounds, so volunteers may find themselves teaching children from different backgrounds. The role of volunteers in the classroom depends on the school and their comfort level with certain tasks. They are paired with a Thai teacher and can choose to assist with daily lessons or teach students (if they are confident). Many of these Buddhist monks have led relatively sheltered lives, joining the monasteries at a young age. This program shares with them interesting insights about other cultures and places, allowing for cross-cultural teaching and understanding.

Explore the lush mountains and vibrant cultures of northern Thailand as you travel through Chiang Mai, Mae Ai District, and Chiang Rai. Teach conversational English to local students, contribute to hands-on construction projects at village schools, and learn from community members who call this region home. Between service days, hike to jungle waterfalls, cook traditional Thai dishes, practice Buddhist customs, and dive into the region’s diverse highland traditions. Cap your journey by exploring Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai—dynamic cultural hubs rich with temples, markets, and history.

Help care for elephants at an elephant nursery, living the life of a mahout, and helping to protect Thailand’s vulnerable population of these magnificent creatures. Explore the ancient temples, buzzing markets of Chiang Mai, and the unspoiled beauty of the northern Thai countryside. At the elephant sanctuary, where you’ll spend the bulk of your trip, rescued elephants are cared for by expert mahouts, who you’ll work alongside and learn from. You’ll immerse yourself in the life of a mahout, rising early to walk and bathe the elephants, collecting grass for meals, and feeding them. As you work, you’ll learn about these beautiful, intelligent creatures and gain a deeper respect and appreciation for their relationship with humans. In addition to our interactions at the elephant sanctuary, we’ll delve into the ancient history and culture of Chiang Mai, exploring beautiful monasteries and savoring Thai cuisine at food markets. We’ll also venture into the beautiful countryside of Northern Thailand, experiencing all that the country has to offer.

Looking to volunteer in Thailand? You have made a great choice! Thailand, also known as the Asia for beginners, is a place to feel at ease. It is a country full of beautiful beaches, lots of smiles, and simply a place where you will find it easy to let go of everything. At the same time, its ancient temples, ruined cities and exotic jungles with diverse wildlife are a playground for adventurers. Being a volunteer in Thailand will be a great experience for you, and we want you to be prepared for your travel. That's why we are here to help you find out about the available volunteer projects in this South-East Asian country. The opportunities are as varied as the country itself so there will be the right thing for everybody. Let's get started!

Our College Veterinary Service program is open to all applicants ages 18-23. If you are planning to go to vet school, this is the program for you! In this two-week program, you’ll work and learn alongside veterinarians at an elephant sanctuary and a dog rescue center. Live among the elephants and care directly for them, provide check-ups and procedures to dogs in need, and experience magnificent Thailand first-hand. You will spend a week in a dog clinic and learn clinical skills including blood draws, suturing, skin scrapes, and assisting in spay and neuter surgeries. You will learn how to assess the dogs' health and conduct exams as well as get hands-on practice providing medical care. The other week is spent at the Elephant Nature Park, providing hands-on care, love, and support for the elephants who live there. Evenings and weekends are filled with fun activities such as zip-lining and exploring street markets.

Experience the true colors of Thailand! GIVE’s Thailand Immersion Excursion places you in the heart of colorful hill tribe communities throughout Northern Thailand. This unique program enables you to connect with rural villagers by immersing yourself in their culture and way of life, living like a local. Positively impact their communities through participation in our volunteer initiatives and make life-long connections with the incredible people you’ll meet along the way! The trip culminates with a bamboo rafting journey down the Mae Tang River, stopping along the way to learn about elephant conservation and trek through the jungle to find these majestic giants. Thailand is the perfect introduction to this fascinating region of the world; take it one step further by adding the Elephant Experience add-on for an additional week. Note: All Southeast Asia programs and add-ons can be combined for the ultimate Southeast Asia Experience (travel up to 7 weeks!)

Learn, serve, and lead with Bright Light Volunteers in a country of your choice. Our Global Service Learning (GSL) program is designed for passionate middle and high school students, exposing them to various aspects, including cultural and social, of their host community. Participants not only broaden their knowledge but also develop a deeper understanding of local, national, and global issues. They gain insight into the interdependency and interconnectedness of people and communities, becoming equipped to act responsibly and effectively toward a more just and peaceful world. Additionally, they develop a range of skills outside a conventional classroom environment. If you’re interested in joining our movement and becoming a global citizen, get in touch with us today for more information.

Kindred Spirit is looking for volunteers to come out and help its new elephant sanctuary in northern Thailand. The sanctuary has just rescued four elephants from the tourism industry, and it has brought them home to live out their lives in the forest, in semi-wild conditions. The sanctuary needs volunteers to help keep these elephants happy and healthy in their natural habitat. Volunteers will carry out health checks, perform research on their natural behaviors and the surrounding forest, and take part in community projects, such as teaching English at a school and to other locals, cutting grass for the elephants during the dry season, helping out in the fields, planting and harvesting crops, and educating both locals and tourists on the captive elephant situation in Thailand to help combat illegal trade. Days begin with early morning hikes through the forest to find the elephants, staying with them while observing and taking data on their natural behaviors until lunch. Some days, lunch is eaten with the elephants in the forest. Upon returning to the village, community projects are carried out.

Volunteer with us and make a lasting difference in our partner communities. The hill tribe people of Thailand are welcoming and respectful. We guarantee a truly meaningful and life-changing experience while working alongside them. Our mission is to enhance the lives of children, youth, women, and vulnerable people and to strengthen culture, family involvement, and community engagement. - Promote and educate communities about basic human rights to ensure equitable access to resources from government and private organizations. - Strengthen families and communities through self-help groups, to share knowledge and promote unity in their communities. - Engage community members in educating their children and youth; saving for their future; livelihood development; caring for the environment; and cultural preservation. Collaborating with local community members, NGOs, and donors, we make sure the hill tribe children in our care – most of whom are stateless – have a safe place to live, with access to health care, education, food, and clothing.

Work as a Teacher’s Assistant at the International University for Monks. The monks study Buddhism and meditation in the morning, and take classes at the university in the afternoon. Most classes use English as the language of instruction. There are about 250 students at the university. About half of the students are Thai and the other half are of other Asian nationalities, including Laotian, Cambodian, and Bangladeshi. This diversity makes an international learning environment at an institution focused on the higher education for Buddhist monks. For these reasons, it is a very unique school. The university is located in one of Chiang Mai's largest and most historic temples and is in the vicinity of Chiang Mai University and other small colleges, which gives the area quite an academic atmosphere. Volunteers serve under the direction of the English department, which is staffed by a highly qualified and educated, bilingual, Thai faculty. Although most of the professors are regular Thais, a few members of the faculty are Buddhist monks.