Mission Trips in Thailand

Taking mission trips in Thailand can be the best thing that you do in your entire life, because it can be an opportunity to provide help and support for those in need. With these types of trips you’re going to be trying out new volunteer opportunities that are entirely different from anything you’ve likely imagined before. There’s no reason that you need to engage in the same old, boring volunteer work in your local community. While that’s still important, so is giving back to those around the world.

With A Broader View we set up volunteer opportunities where you can actually travel to a completely new country and where you can immerse yourself in the local language, food, culture, landscape and a whole lot more. All you need to do is decide which program you want to volunteer with and just how long you’d like to travel for. From there, you’re going to be well on your way to an experience that you’re never going to forget, and neither will the people that you’re going to help when you get there.

Volunteers in Laos

Programs that involve youth could include the sports and arts and crafts programs. These allow you to work with the youth and just have fun. You’ll be teaching them to really engage their creative side and to try entirely new things. All of this is going to help them develop into even better adults and to just enjoy themselves as well. Programs for youth also include teaching at the temple school where you can help with English or even with music. These children will be able to learn a great deal from you that they can carry forward with them forever.

Teaching about computers is another way that you can help the children within the community and it’s a way that you can have some fun as well. After all, teaching about computers involves a number of different things from social media to word processing and email to spreadsheets. You and the children you’re teaching will be able to explore and try out all different opportunities with computers and how they can change their world.

Other methods of helping out include physiotherapy, where you can work with the elderly to provide support and get those who have suffered from strokes and more back into their own lives again. You’ll need experience and training to work in this program, but you’re definitely going to be making a difference and you’re going to see immediately how much your help is appreciated by the people that you work with.

Finally, there is a program in construction and agriculture which gives you the opportunity for your mission trips in Thailand to never be the same twice. That’s because this program allows you to get involved with a host of different projects throughout the region and you’ll definitely be helping directly with their way of life.

All you need to do is decide which of these volunteer opportunities you’re most interested in and just how you’re going to get started.

Getting along in Thailand

Do:

  • Be respectful of HM The King and HM The Queen. They are respected deeply by the Thai people.
  • Always be respectful of Buddhism. Dress correctly in Temples (wear sleeves, do not wear short pants etc.). Don't sit on Buddha images if you want to be photographed.
  • Always be respectful of the elderly, in every situation. If you are bargaining at the market with a seller who is obviously older than you, or if you are bargaining with a tuk-tuk driver who is older than you, do this in a polite way, with a smile on your face.
  • Use the "wai" - a greeting where you press your hands together.
  • Learn at least a few words of Thai: the effort will again be very much appreciated.
  • Be respectful of the country's ecology in the mountains and on the beaches.

Do not:

  • Point at people or things with your feet. This is considered as highly impolite, as the feet are considered as the most inferior parts of the human body. Do not sit on the floor of a Temple with your feet pointing at a Buddha Image!
  • Touch anybody on the head, the "highest" part of the body.
  • Be too familiar in public, even if you are married. These things are considered very impolite in Thailand.
  • Shout or raise your voice in public (to anybody). If you want to argue with your wife or with your children, do this in the privacy of yourroom and not in public!
  • Dress in an overly casual Western "holiday" style when in town: no shoes or shirt etc. Thais judge others on what they wear and how they wear it.

Overview

  • Project length: From 2 weeks to 12 weeks
  • Arrival Airport: Udon Thani International Airport (UTH)
  • Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 4 to 6 hours per day
  • Requirements: Police Check/Clearance report
  • Age Limits: Minimum 17yrs or older for solo travelers.
  • Minimum Age: 10 years when traveling with parent/guardian
  • Airlines: Thai Smile Airways, Nok Air, Air Asia
  • Vaccinations: Meales, Routine boosters, Hep A and Typhoid

Volunteer Opportunities in Thailand

Sports & Art/Crafts

Arts/Craft: This program is focused on giving local children the opportunity to be involved in art and crafts lessons like drawing and painting. Children learn best when they can use all their senses. Making crafts and learning about art help children to improve their manual dexterity and gives them a chance to discover new methods and tools.

Sports & Art/Crafts

Because many of the local children attending this project lack formal education, crafts and other artistic endeavors can help the children achieve personal success in all areas of their lives. Arts and crafts can teach perseverance and patience. When the children accomplish small task, they gain confidence in themselves. Volunteer hours are 4-6 hours per day. Volunteers are encouraged to come with lesson ideas, project plans and even art supplies.  The aim for this project:

  • Help children gain greater self-esteem. Art give the children a sense of accomplishment by creating something of their own.
  • Help children to hone their skills which can be directed to other areas of their life. We enable activities such as writing and drawing and painting because it requires bilateral coordination and fine motor coordination.
  • Encourage children to express their emotions and feelings.
  • Create a harmonious environment within the community. It helps the children to bond with one another through activities.
Sports & Art/Crafts

Sports: Athletic competition and daily exercise provides opportunities for children and teens to learn and grow. In order to excel in life, children must be eager to learn and willing to accept instruction. Learning this on the field or in the gym can translate into respect for other authority figures: teachers, future bosses, and authority figures. Being part of a sporting event helps to build integrity, positive attitude, respect and perseverance.  Be part of a local community project focused on providing sports and other physical activities to children after school. Working with 6 village schools, volunteers will help coach, plan games and activities for children 6-12 years old. Volunteers are welcome to introduce topics.

Especially for kids, volunteers need to include fun in your classes, creating a sense of concentration and being fully present in the instructor’s role that you’ll be playing. All kinds of experiments in this area are more than welcome; even if it demands you to work in an uncertain environment maybe under a little pressure, then let this be an opportunity for you to learn something too! Afternoon volunteer hours 4 hours per day.

Teach at Temple School

Teach English / Music at Temple School

Our volunteers support the development projects in the northeastern region in Issan. The goal is to help farmers and families, particularly the children, of the villages to build a better future. To achieve this, we teach them foreign languages and general knowledge topics. You will work with the local population and gain knowledge through practical work. Your skills and experience will be used as an important component of the cultural exchange program.

English teaching:  Be part of a developmental project in this village community. Help to teach English to Thai children ages 5-12-year-old at a local temple school. Be part of a grassroots organization, live within a local Thai village and be involved in education efforts in six villages in our surroundings. Focus on basic English terminology, pronunciation and grammar is stressed.

Teaching Music:  Music is a universal language. Volunteers with music background and skills are needed and wanted in this village community. Volunteers will work closely with the children in small groups, you can build a school choir and teach them as much as possible with music. You can easily take part of the daily life in the villages, and as a thank, you give something back to the people in which you teach the children music while using English as foreign language. 

Preferred Qualifications only for music program. 

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent knowledge and experience in music performance or education (applicants currently completing a relevant degree may be considered) Demonstrated ability teaching music in an elementary classroom setting Be available at least 4 weeks.

Teach English / Music at Temple School

Typical Schedule

  • 07:00h Shower, breakfast and morning meeting
  • 08:30h Dividing into teams, go to project site
  • 12:00h Lunchtime
  • 13:00h Afternoon work project.
  • 16:00h End of the workday. Free time
  • 19:00h Dinner (volunteers cook by them self in the campus kitchen).

Teach Computer

Teach Computer

Our volunteers support the development projects in the northeastern region in Issan. The goal is to help farmers and families, particularly the children, of the villages to build a better future. To achieve this, we teach them foreign languages and general knowledge topics. You will work with the local population and gain knowledge through practical work. Your skills and experience will be used as an important component of the cultural exchange program.

We work hard to support the schools and establish the best ICT equipped classrooms in the region. However, many schools don't have adequate teachers. Volunteer computer teachers are needed to teach basic to advanced computer skills to students at all age levels. This may involve lessons from simple keyboarding to challenging computer programs. Basic skills would include computer knowledge such as: sending and receiving emails, using the internet, word processing software, spread sheet software and social media.

A volunteer computer teacher would be expected to cover the basic responsibilities of any teacher such as: creating lessons plans; evaluating student performances and the giving out of projects and assignments. They also may be expected to take part in developing and updating the curriculum. In addition, they may be asked to help facilitate research and hold supervisory or organizational responsibilities.

Teach Computer

Typical Schedule

  • 07:00h Shower, breakfast and morning meeting
  • 08:30h Dividing into teams, go to project site
  • 12:00h Lunchtime
  • 13:00h Afternoon work project.
  • 16:00h End of the workday. Free time
  • 19:00h Dinner (volunteers cook by them self in the campus kitchen).

Medical Physiotherapy

In this village region, many families are tending to older people many who suffer from strokes. The villagers need physiotherapists with experience working with old people, especially stroke patients. Since there is no medical support for such cases available., all volunteer support is welcome. If you are physiotherapist and want to donate your time, your support is very welcome. 

Medical Physiotherapy

Volunteers will partake in home health visits, and are expected to be licensed, professional and experienced in the field.Medical Physiotherapy

Typical Schedule

  • 07:00h Shower, breakfast and morning meeting
  • 08:30h Dividing into teams, go to project site
  • 12:00h Lunchtime
  • 13:00h Afternoon work project.
  • 16:00h End of the workday. Free time
  • 19:00h Dinner (volunteers cook by them self in the campus kitchen).

Community Construction and Agriculture

Community Construction and Agriculture

Volunteers interested in agricultural and community construction are welcome to join this village developmental project. Learn and be part of the local farmer’s daily routine. This includes harvesting, sowing, fishing and many other seasonal activities.

This is a physical demanding project, so volunteers should be in good health and ready to task and the working day is long. The farmers have a very broad understanding of the nature that surrounds them and the sustenance that it can provide. Volunteers support the community and their families.  In return, volunteers will learn traditional knowledge from the Thai farmers including garden, farmland, forest, cultural information passed on for centuries.

Project work can consist of:

  • Construction of buildings
  • Carpentry, interior
  • Preparation of charcoal
  • Seasonal emptying of fishponds
  • Working at the rice mill
  • Create tools
  • Agriculture and land careKitchen and herbs
  • Processing of own products
  • Vegetable and animal origin
  • Search and processing of bush-food
  • Create spice garden
  • Cook Thai food/Cooking methods
  • Conservation methods
  • Introduction to Natural Remedies of Thai
Community Construction and Agriculture

Typical Schedule

  • 07:00h Shower, breakfast and morning meeting
  • 08:30h Dividing into teams, go to project site
  • 12:00h Lunchtime
  • 13:00h Afternoon work project.
  • 16:00h End of the workday. Free time
  • 19:00h Dinner (volunteers cook by them self in the campus kitchen).

Country Info

Country Details

Our ABV volunteer programs are based in Udon Thani, the provincial capital city of northeast Thailand. Udon is an important regional hub, has a large ex-pat community and is also home to the well-known archaeological site at Ban Chiang. Like other provincial towns in Thailand, Udon has its own specialty handicrafts and is known for hand-woven silk, and ‘kid’ textiles.

Coordinator

Mike Coordinator Laos

Welcome Thailand 🇹🇭, We are a married couple, Raimun and Janphen. As the ABV Coordinators in Udon, we look forward to hosting you in our country.

Weather

What is the best time of year to go to Udon Thani in Thailand

Here are some average weather facts we collected from our historical climate data: 

  • On average, the temperatures are always high.
  • A lot of rain (rainy season) falls in the month: May, June, July, August and September.
  • Udon Thani has dry periods in January, February, November and December.
  • On average, the warmest month is April.
  • On average, the coolest month is January.
  • August is the wettest month. 
  • December is the driest month.

What's the best time to go to Thailand

Reviews & Multimedia

Reviews

Personally, I found this program to be very worthwhile as this trip turned out to be one the best experiences of my life. It was very eye-opening and gave me a boost of motivation to continue my studies and inspiration for my future career.

Dr. Shithila Siriwardhana at the Medical program
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Dr. Shithila Siriwardhana at the Medical program

Nationality: USA

Age: 32

This trip was incredible and I don’t regret coming for a second. Our trip was a month long and I think that is a perfect amount of time for first time travelers. Changing sheets, cleaning the bed frames, and washing patients will most likely take up all your time.

Ann Olsen Volunteer in Arusha Tanzania
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Ann Olsen Volunteer in Arusha Tanzania

Nationality: USA

Age: 59

This trip was incredible and I don’t regret coming for a second. Our trip was a month long and I think that is a perfect amount of time for first time travelers. Changing sheets, cleaning the bed frames, and washing patients will most likely take up all your time.

Alexis Stribbling Volunteer in Arusha, Tanzania
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Alexis Stribbling Volunteer in Arusha, Tanzania

Nationality: USA

Age: 36

Photos Gallery

Prices for Thailand

Program Fees

As a nonprofit organization, A Broader View Volunteers can fundraise (optional) for the expenses of their trip. Prices are per person and in US dollars (US$).

Thailand
Length of programProgram Fee $USD
1 week -
2 weeks $980
3 weeks $1120
4 weeks $1260
5 weeks $1400
6 weeks $1495
7 weeks $1540
8 weeks $1820
9 weeks $1960
10 weeks $2100
11 weeks $2240
12 weeks $2380

Inclusions

  • Accommodation: village bungalow, shared bedrooms
  • Meals: 2 meals per day (self-prepared)
  • Arrival: Airport meet and greet by ABV Staff
  • Orientation: Project Overview and Orientation
  • Support: Pre-trip written guide, In-country ABV staff available 24/7
  • Departure: ABV Staff Escorted Airport Transfer
  • Thai Lessons: introduction on arrival.

Program Schedule

  • Starts and ends in Udon Trani
  • Airport transportation is included (7:30am and 16:00pm arrivals only)
  • Week-day work schedule, weekends available on request
  • Typical shift work: 4-7 hours per day
  • Support - Local staff support 24/7 during placement
  • Departure transfer at the end of the program to airport

Extra Cost: Flights, Travel Insurance, Visa, Vaccinations, Local excursions, daily transportation, laundry, internet, dinner

Extras

Tour and Weekend Trips

Once in-country, your ABV Coordinator will assist with tours and activity planning. These tours/cultural activities are available, but not part of the ABV fees:

  • Phu Prabhat Histocial Park
  • Wat Phothisomphon
  • Chao Pu-Ya Shrine
  • Udon Thani city museum

We do not offer tours but if all volunteers agree and if there is time we can use our Van to take a trip every now and then. The costs for the transport must then be shared among the participants. Usually Volunteers organize their own weekend trips in Udon Thani, the price range is from 20 USD + per day - there is no limit upwards, pending on choices.

Festivities

  • Wednesday, January 1: New Year’s Day
  • Monday, February 10: Substitution day for Makha Bucha Day
  • Monday, April 6: Chakri Dynasty Memorial Day
  • Monday, April 13: Songkran Day (Thai New Year)
  • Tuesday, April 14: Songkran Holiday
  • Wednesday, April 15: Songkran Holiday
  • Friday, May 1: National Labour Day
  • Monday, May 4: Coronation Day
  • Wednesday, May 6: Wisakha Bucha Day
  • Wednesday, June 3: HM Queen Suthida’s Birthday
  • Monday, July 6: Substitution day for Asarnha Bucha Day
  • Tuesday, July 7: Buddhist Lent Day (Khao Phansa Day)
  • Tuesday, July 28: HM the King’s Birthday
  • Wednesday, August 12: HM Queen Sirikit’s Birthday (Mother’s Day)
  • Tuesday, October 13: King Bhumibol Memorial Day
  • Friday, October 23: King Chulalongkorn Memorial Day
  • Monday, December 7: Substitution Day for HM the King Bhumibol’s Birthday, National Day and National Father’s Day
  • Thursday, December 10: Constitution Day
  • Thursday, December 31: New Year’s Eve

General Information

Meals & Food

Volunteers are usually provided breakfast, lunch at a local restaurant during the week and weekends (read the website for detail description of the meals or ask our staff online). Breakfast typically consists of toast, fruit, eggs, cereal accompanied with milk, tea or coffee. We recommend budgeting between US$5 and US$6 per day to purchase dinner. If you have specific dietary requirements, our local team  can customize to you but be flexible as well.

Start Dates

Most of our programs run year round, you can start any volunteer/internship program on any day. When you apply you will lets know your start and end dates. Our programs run year round and have volunteers arriving almost every day from many different countries.

Since our programs sometimes depend on the local holiday calendar, there are brief occasions when normal programs work is suspended. For example, schools/daycares often close for long winter/summer vacations. During these times, we arrange for alternative work programs that are similar in substance to our ongoing programs, but address the short-term, direct needs of the local communities.

If you would like to arrange your start and end dates around the local holidays, please call us at 1.866.423.3258 or email us at [email protected].

Giving Matters

A Broader View Volunteers work tirelessly year round to support our volunteers, and also to serve the local communities where ABV projects are based. As a tax-exempt 501 c(3) organization A Broader View receive 100% of our funding from volunteer contributions. Through your program fee contribution our non-profit charity organization can operate beneficial humanitarian aid programs which are successful and continuous supported year round.

Local, professional full-time coordinators, placement logistics, airport pick up and departure transportation, arrival orientation, food & local accommodations, are a major part of providing a safe, meaningful volunteer experience. When you join A Broader View, you will receive pre-trip visa and vaccination support, assistance with flights, fundraising planning, through our interactive online volunteer portal. Our local partners not only benefit from volunteers valuable contributions at the project, they benefit financially with year-round monetary support from A Broader View. In the last decade A Broader View has donated over 4.5 million dollars in international aid.

By joining A Broader View you are not only helping to make a difference during your own trip, your impact will last even after you go home.

How may we help you?!

How may we help you?!

Our staff has extensive travel and volunteer abroad experience. We have the answers to all your questions about volunteering with ABV. We can customize any of our programs to your needs and dates.

Call/chat with our team members:

(1) 215 780 1845 [email protected]

Language Immersion:
No

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* Price in US dollars
Toll Free: US/CA (1) 866-423-3258