GoAbroad

Volunteer Programs in Chiang Rai, Thailand

Chiang Rai is both a city and the northern most province in Thailand, sitting far away from the tourist infested islands and the urban chaos of Bangkok. Aside from being surrounded by towering mountains, forests, and waterfalls, waiting to be explored, the real unique aspect of volunteering in Chiang Rai is the access to local culture the city provides. Chiang Rai has not been influenced by mass tourism like southern Thailand, or even like its neighboring province, Chiang Mai. It’s a haven for authentic Thai culture and provides opportunities for volunteers to experience the community and kindness of Thailand and its people in a way that most volunteers and travelers never do!
Read More
Maximo Nivel volunteers

Featured Provider of the Month

7 Volunteer Programs in Chiang Rai, Thailand

GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization

9.86

7

Thailand - Elephant Forest Refuge

Volunteer in Chiang Rai at the Elephant Forest Refuge to improve the lives of the freely roaming elephants living there. This refuge has 40 acres of bamboo forests, grassland, and swamp. Volunteers on this project take part in ethical tasks that are solely for the benefit of the elephants. Volunteers will be planting and cutting elephant grass and fruit trees, may participate in weekly vet checks, feed the elephants. partake in observation tasks and engage in light construction work of the refuge itself.

See All 2 Programs

International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ]

9

14

Volunteer in Thailand with the World’s Top-Rated Provider

"Make a real difference in Thailand by supporting grassroots initiatives in education, construction, and community development. As an IVHQ volunteer in Thailand, you’ll have the opportunity to assist with English language education, childcare, environmental efforts, or hands-on construction projects in rural villages and local communities. Whether you're placed in the cultural heartland of Chiang Rai in the north or the laid-back coastal town of Hua Hin in the south, your efforts will directly support community-led projects that make a lasting impact. With a diverse selection of reliable volunteer programs and the backing of the world’s most experienced volunteer organization, IVHQ makes it simple to travel with purpose in Thailand. More than 147,000 volunteers have chosen IVHQ for trusted, affordable programs in over 50 countries."

See All 3 Programs

Love Volunteers

9.58

201

Volunteer Abroad & Make a REAL Difference - From US$175!

Find out why more and more people are choosing to become a Love Volunteer! Love Volunteers is the most affordable way to volunteer and help local communities in developing countries! Why are we cheaper than other organisations? Firstly, we are just a handful of passionate people working hard to help volunteers and local communities around the world. We don't have huge overheads - no company cars, no downtown office - we're just volunteers who knew we could do a better job. Secondly, we work with local organisations wherever we can to keep administration costs to a minimum and also to feed as much money and skills into the local communities where we operate. All of Love Volunteers partner organisations have been fully vetted to ensure that, not only does a genuine need for assistance exist, but that the environments that we place our volunteers are safe and of high quality. Choose from one or more of our 200+ amazing community-based programs in 37 developing countries around the world. Every program has been personally visited by one of our dedicated staff members and is regularly audited to ensure it meets our high standards in terms of safety, sustainability, and local impact.

Globalteer

10

1

Volunteer at our Northern Thailand Elephant Sanctuary

This truly is a unique elephant volunteering opportunity and is perfect for anyone who loves elephants - students, children, older volunteers, couples, groups and solo travellers. Spend your time with our brilliant mahouts and immerse yourself in elephant life. The Sanctuary has been hard at work to build the first elephant sanctuary in Chiang Rai! Covering 40 acres of land they have some fantastic lush elephant habitat on which they look after four beautiful elephants. It is a one of a kind experience for visitors to Thailand - the newly opened sanctuary truly puts the elephants first, while also offering visitors of all ages a unique opportunity to experience and learn about these amazing animals up close. Shadow our family of former logging elephants as they wander through the forest, graze in the paddocks and relax in our unique location. A typical day includes: *Learning about the elephants and this unique animal sanctuary. *Feeding the elephants *Planting elephant grass, banana trees, sugar cane, pineapple or corn for fodder. *Participating in elephant feeding habit research, weekly vet (care) checks

A Guide to Volunteering Abroad in Chiang Rai

Projects & Placements

Poverty is prevalent in Chiang Rai, especially in rural areas and hill tribe villages throughout the province, where there is limited access to quality education. Only small portions of the population obtain quality jobs (teaching, hospital workers, etc.) and can therefore afford to send their children to private schools, where they receive a good education and often times have Western English teachers.

The majority of children go to low budget government schools that cannot afford to pay foreign teachers. This leaves most of the children lacking English language skills, in a country that continues to develop more and more jobs that require the latter skill. Those who volunteer in Chiang Rai shouldn’t have difficulty communicating with program providers however, because reputable volunteer organizations typically have at least one staff member that can speak a little bit of English. Many local teachers can speak some English as well, so volunteers can almost always get by without knowing any Thai.

Teaching English. English teaching in Chiang Rai is the most popular and prevalent type of volunteer placement. In 2015, the 10 countries (including Thailand) that make up ASEAN will begin using English as their official language of business, which makes learning English even more important for school children in Thailand, since many future job opportunities will therefore depend upon their ability to understand and make use of the English language. There are schools all across the province of Chiang Rai, and volunteer programs that are actively seeking both long and short term volunteers to teach English in Chiang Rai, as well as other subjects (art, sports, music, etc.) in English. The length of teaching placements in Chiang Rai can range from one week to one year depending on the program.

Sustainable & Organic Farming. One thing that anyone who chooses to volunteer in the rural areas in Chiang Rai will notice is that the land is extremely fertile. While people may not earn a lot of money in these areas, high quality food is abundant. There are several volunteer programs in rural areas that offer volunteer opportunities for people who would like to get involved in organic and sustainable farming. It offers volunteers a chance to learn about gardening and sustainable local food sources while contributing to the community’s food security. Often times the farming projects are often located at local schools and are used to produce the food needed to feed the children who attend the school. Some volunteer organizations in Chiang Rai offer dual placements where volunteers can teach English and do farm work in the same time period, but generally farming placements can range from one week to several months.

Popular Providers

Latest Program Reviews

I had the most life changing and inspiring time ever!

November 14, 2025by: Devin Chalupa - CanadaProgram: Volunteer and Teach English in Thailand
10

Volunteering in Thailand was genuinely one of the most transformative experiences of my life. I went into the program excited but unsure of what to expect, and I left feeling more connected, inspired, and grateful than I ever imagined. Teaching English to children for five weeks pushed me far outside my comfort zone in the best possible way. The kids greeted every lesson with energy, curiosity, and huge smiles, and their excitement made even the most challenging days feel meaningful. Watching them slowly gain confidence in speaking, reading, and interacting in English was incredibly rewarding. It made me realize how powerful patience, consistency, and genuine care can be when working with young learners. What surprised me most was how much I grew personally. Being in a new country, adapting to different routines, and learning how to communicate across language barriers taught me resilience and flexibility. There were moments where I had to think on my feet, adjust plans, or find new ways to teach a concept, and those moments ended up being the ones that taught me the most. I learned to trust myself, stay calm, and choose kindness first—skills I’ll carry with me forever. But the people I met along the way were just as unforgettable as the experience itself. I went with my best friend, but we quickly built a little family with other volunteers, teachers, and locals. We explored markets, beaches, and temples together; we shared meals, stories, and laughs; and we created memories that I know will stay with me for life. Thailand has a way of bringing people together. The warmth and generosity of the community made every day feel special, and the friendships I made there are ones I’m incredibly grateful for. Living in Thailand also allowed me to experience its culture in a deeper, more authentic way. From learning basic Thai phrases to trying new foods and observing traditions, every day taught me something new. The country is beautiful in every sense—its landscapes, its culture, and its people. It’s impossible not to fall in love with it. Looking back, volunteering in Thailand wasn’t just a trip; it was a meaningful chapter of growth, connection, and joy. I would absolutely do it again, and I truly can’t wait for the day I go back.

Deals Banner Image
Apply for Scholarships & Deals on GoAbroad

to get exclusive discounts on meaningful travel programs!

Apply Now

Recent Volunteer Abroad Articles