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Volunteer Abroad Hotspots Chiang Mai

Volunteer in Chiang Mai

Volunteer in Chiang Mai and discover one of the most interesting places Thailand has to offer from a different point of view...

Volunteer in Chiang Mai and discover one of the most interesting places Thailand has to offer from a different point of view. Despite it being a very modern city that welcomes many tourists, Chiang Mai is still very calm and relaxed and the perfect place to volunteer your time for a good cause.

If you love animals, you have to join one of the many elephant sanctuaries in and around Chiang Mai. Elephants are still very common tourist attractions and often mishandled for riding. You can change this by educating tourists and caring for elephants in Thailand that have been saved. Additionally South East Asia is a great place to complete an internship abroad.

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Activities Hotspots Elephant Conservation Asia South East Asia Thailand Asian Elephant Wildlife Conservation Animal Vegan Yoga Animal Sanctuary Indian Elephant Indigenous cultures Elephant Research Education English Teaching Primary School Intern Abroad NGO Support Photography Internship Marketing and IT Monastery Gibbon Monkey Conservation Community Construction Construction Internship Building Schools Reforestation Hiking Culture and Arts Social Work
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 Forest Elephant Sanctuary
Life On Land
🔥 In High Demand
Thailand Chiang Mai, Thailand
Oceans 2 Earth Volunteers

Forest Elephant Sanctuary

Excellent 4.8
(88)
⭐ Popular Video Flex Option
780 €  per week · 1  ‑  2  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

The Elephant Sanctuary enables volunteers to make a tangible difference amid a backdrop of beauty, wonder and exploration Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Elephant Research Internship
Life On Land
Thailand Chiang Mai, Thailand
Kindred Spirit Elephant Sanctuary

Elephant Research Internship

Excellent 4.9
(24)
Video Flex Option
412 €  per week · 1  ‑  8  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

This internship is an exciting opportunity for any current or recently graduated university students who want more work experience or are interested in elephants. Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Kindergarten Education Assistent
Quality Education
Thailand Chiang Mai, Thailand
Involvement Volunteers IVI

Kindergarten Education Assistent

Brilliant 4.7
(226)
Flex Option
296 €  per week · 4  ‑  12  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

Volunteer in kindergartens around Chiang Mai, helping staff with daily chores, activities and education of children aged 2.5 to 6 years. Be creative and have fun! Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Primary School Education Support
Quality Education
Thailand Chiang Mai, Thailand
Involvement Volunteers IVI

Primary School Education Support

Brilliant 4.7
(226)
Flex Option
296 €  per week · 4  ‑  12  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

This program offers a rewarding experience providing assitence in local schools, which are facing a shortage of teachers. Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Photography Internship
Decent Work And Economic Growth Life On Land
Thailand Chiang Mai, Thailand
Kindred Spirit Elephant Sanctuary

Photography Internship

Excellent 4.9
(24)
Video Flex Option
412 €  per week · 1  ‑  8  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

This is a great experience for any photography/art students or graduates who need more experience in the field or anyone with an interest or experience in photography. Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Elephant Care and Protection Supporter
Life On Land
Thailand Chiang Mai, Thailand
Adventure Volunteer

Elephant Care and Protection Supporter

Brilliant 4.7
(34)
Video Flex Option
672 €  per week · 1  ‑  2  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

Help abused elephants recover and develop in a healthy environment by supporting them on their daily needs. Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Teach English to Young Monks
Quality Education
Thailand Chiang Mai, Thailand
Volunteering Solutions

Teach English to Young Monks

Fantastic 4.5
(29)
Flex Option
321 €  per week · 2  ‑  24  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

Volunteers joining the Monks Teaching Volunteer Program in Thailand, Chiang Mai will teach novice Buddhist monks at five different monastery schools. Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Visit and Help Elephants
Life On Land
Thailand Chiang Mai, Thailand
Kindred Spirit Elephant Sanctuary

Visit and Help Elephants

Excellent 4.9
(24)
Video Flex Option
851 €  per week · 1  ‑  1  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

We are an award winning foundation, working in partnership with the local communities to bring their elephants home to the forest. A must do for elephant lovers! Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Elephant Care and Rehabilitation
Life On Land
Thailand Chiang Mai, Thailand
Involvement Volunteers IVI

Elephant Care and Rehabilitation

Brilliant 4.7
(226)
Flex Option
873 €  per week · 1  ‑  12  weeks · Age  16+ · Has Wifi

Based in a sanctuary that provides a safe haven for old, sick, disabled, previously abused, or illegally-owned elephants. Help clean elephant areas & prepare food. Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Elephant and Gibbon Encounters
Life On Land
Thailand Chiang Mai, Thailand
Kindred Spirit Elephant Sanctuary

Elephant and Gibbon Encounters

Excellent 4.9
(24)
Flex Option
690 €  per week · 1  ‑  1  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

Join our award-winning foundation! Partnering with local communities, we bring elephants home to the forest and help conserve gibbons in their natural habitat. Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 English Teacher to Thai Children
Quality Education
Thailand Mahasarakham, Thailand
Adventure Volunteer

English Teacher to Thai Children

Brilliant 4.7
(34)
Video Flex Option
292 €  per week · 4  ‑  4  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

Help children get empowered and have more opportunities in their future by giving the useful tool English is. Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 School & Community Construction
Sustainable Cities And Communities
Thailand Chiang Mai, Thailand
Involvement Volunteers IVI

School & Community Construction

Brilliant 4.7
(226)
Flex Option
564 €  per week · 1  ‑  12  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

Your assistance will be crucial in various initiatives, including the renovation of schools, hospitals, temples, and impoverished housing conditions. Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Wildlife Conservation Internship.
Decent Work And Economic Growth Life On Land
Thailand Huay Pakoot, Thailand
GVI

Wildlife Conservation Internship.

Brilliant 4.7
(152)
⭐ Popular Video Flex Option
1171 €  per week · 2  ‑  12  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

Support community efforts to help reintegrate elephants into their natural habitat, from their previous lives in the tourism industry. Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Teen Elephant Conservation
Life On Land
Thailand Chiang Mai, Thailand
GVI

Teen Elephant Conservation

Brilliant 4.7
(152)
⭐ Popular Flex Option
1547 €  per week · 2  ‑  2  weeks · Age  14+ · Has Wifi

Embark on a wild adventure into the mountains of Thailand to contribute to ethical elephant conservation projects. Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Buddhism Immersion Experience
Good Health And Well-Being
Thailand Chiang Mai, Thailand
Global Nomadic

Buddhism Immersion Experience

Perfect 4.7
(17)
Flex Option
716 €  per week · 1  ‑  24  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

Experience the transformative traditions of Thai Buddhism through ancient rituals, meditation, chanting, immersing yourself in the rich spirituality and personal growth. Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Gibbon Encounters
Life On Land
Thailand Chiang Mai, Thailand
Kindred Spirit Elephant Sanctuary

Gibbon Encounters

Excellent 4.9
(24)
Flex Option
1064 €  per week · 1  ‑  1  weeks · Age  14+ · Has Wifi

Join our award-winning foundation! Partnering with local communities, we bring elephants home to the forest and help conserve gibbons in their natural habitat. Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Ethical Hill tribe experience
Quality Education
Thailand Chiang Mai, Thailand
Isara

Ethical Hill tribe experience

Flex Option
566 €  per week · 1  ‑  2  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

This unique volunteer program invites participants to immerse themselves in the daily life of hill tribe communities in Chiang Mai. Details >

Airport Taxi
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Food
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Show All 17 Programs
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Volunteer Abroad Hotspots Chiang Mai

Volunteer Projects and Internships in Chiang Mai

Volunteer in Chiang Mai

If beaches aren’t really your thing and you need a place to just sit back, relax and chill against a backdrop of mountains, Chiang Mai is the place to be! There’s no shortage of excellent food and coffee offered in an abundance of hip joints for extremely fair prices. Despite the vast amounts of tourists passing through Chiang Mai for its rich culture and endless variety of activities, it hasn’t lost its authenticity and Thai charm. It’s no surprise everyone can’t get enough of this versatile hub. Are you itching to become a volunteer in Chiang Mai yet?

Facts & Figures about Chiang Mai

  • Chiang Mai, meaning ‘New City’ in the Thai language is actually the former capital of the previous Lanna Kingdom. The Lanna Kingdom then merged with Siam and now forms modern-day Thailand.
  • Surrounded by mountains, Chiang Mai is situated in a valley and is home to Doi Inthanon, the mountains highest peak reaches 2565m and said to be part of the Himalaya!
  • Besides housing more than 300 temples, Chiang Mai is home to 10 different Hill Tribes. Each Hill Tribe has their unique customs and beliefs.
  • Although Chiang Mai remains a small city with an area of around 40 square kilometers, it boasts as many as 10 co-working spaces! It’s THE place to be for digital nomads due to its economic, laid-back lifestyle and the myriad of options of things to do.

Volunteer work in Chiang Mai

There are many different ways for volunteers to become active and make a change in Chiang Mai. As it is a popular tourist destination in Thailand, there is a great need in the field of elephant protection at an elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai and it is necessary to educate tourists and locals alike on the cruel methods behind the popular tourist attractions. Read on to find out about the projects that volunteers can engage in and what kind of volunteering work you will be doing at each project.

Support local NGOs

Some NGOs working with rescued elephants are looking for photography intern volunteers! Considering the backdrop of rolling mountains and having elephants as your models, this is undoubtedly a unique opportunity for any art or photography student. If you’re fit and up for a day hike to observe and take exclusive shots of these plus sized models roaming around and foraging in their habitat, volunteering at such a program is definitely for you.

The elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai is set amongst the Karen Hilltribe allowing volunteers to experience the unique culture and learn directly from these people who have a long history of keeping elephants. The Karen Hilltribe have a unique culture which will definitely get your creative juices running and undoubtedly result in some stellar shots.

Support an elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai

Despite being great models, elephants also need to be taken care of which is why the elephant sanctuaries in Chiang Mai are also looking for volunteers to help take care of them in the semi-wild sanctuary. If you see a future as a veterinarian or simply have a heart for animals, joining the project as an Elephant Research Intern and as a volunteer in Chiang Mai could be perfect for you.

An extra perk to this organization is that it’s situated within the Karen Hilltribe which will expose you to an entirely new culture. Tasks as a volunteer in Chiang Mai at an elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai may include:

  • carrying out health checks
  • performing research on elephant behavior as well as their habitat
  • cutting grass for elephants in the dry season

Another elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai is situated in the lush jungle of the beautiful Mae Taeng district of Chiang Mai. If you’re keen on saving this majestic beast, these are some of the tasks you can look forward to as a volunteer in Chiang Mai at an elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai:

  • feeding and watering of the elephants
  • cleaning and preparing food
  • constructions and maintenance of mud pits
  • helping in local villages
  • sourcing food from local farms and cleaning enclosures
  • keeping the grounds clean
  • planting trees
  • looking after other wildlife

If you can’t get enough of volunteering and helping out, the longer you stay, the better it gets! Long-term volunteers get the opportunity to care for baby primates, animals in the quarantine area and go on animal rescues! If you really want to volunteer with elephants in Chiang Mai and are looking for the best elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai, just check our programs with these big creatures.

Teaching English in Chiang Mai

There are also NGOs in Chiang Mai looking for English teachers! Volunteers with a teaching degree or ambitions in the educational sector can definitely contribute by volunteering and teaching English at the school along with other locals. When teaching English as a volunteer in Chiang Mai, you will also have a crucial role in bringing across the important message about the captive elephant situation to the local community and other tourists.

Free-time activities in Chiang Mai

Even though the projects you volunteer for will keep you more than busy, Chiang Mai has an endless list of activities to offer. Some of the most popular activities are:

  • Muay Thai
  • weaving
  • river tubing
  • thai massages
  • night hikes
  • cooking classes

You’ll need to volunteer long enough to make it through this lengthy list but that’s still not all Chiang Mai has to offer! If you need a break from nature and crave the city life, Chiang Mai has some very interesting art galleries and of course lots of temples. When you’re cultured out, you can go SHOPPING! With its world-famous Night Bazaar, you can literally shop til you drop and stuff your backpack with the most original souvenirs.

Chiang Mai is known for its fantastic Thai Food which you can not only sample at the Night market but also in the variety of restaurants scattered around the city. During certain festivals such as Songkran (the Thai New Year water festival) and Loy Krathong, you will be excellently located as a volunteer in Chiang Mai.

Things to know before you volunteer in Chiang Mai

When traveling abroad, there are always a few things you should inform yourself about beforehand and that you should keep in mind to make sure that you will have a pleasant stay. This is some useful information about Chiang Mai and some tips that might help you as a future volunteer in Chiang Mai.

Safety & Precautions

As a true tourist hotspot, Chiang Mai is considered relatively safe to travel, even if you're going solo. However, there are some things you, as a volunteer in Chiang Mai, might want to keep in mind to avoid getting in trouble with the law:

  • You need to carry a photo ID with you always. But it's wise to carry photocopies instead of the original documents.
  • Drug laws: Never (!) buy, use or transport drugs. In Thailand, this is punishable by death and there are no exceptions made for tourists!
  • Honor the king: It's against the law to deface any image of the king (including Thai money)! You can be sent to jail for that.
  • Drinking laws: The legal drinking age is 20. It's illegal to drink in temples or places of worship, public offices, education institutions, public parks, petrol stations and pharmacies.
  • Use your negotiating skills: Be cautious with your money: Set a price before getting in a tuk-tuk and make sure that the taxis you're using are being metered.
  • Common sense: Don't trust strangers who want to sell information about tourist attractions on the street. It's better to check with your hotel or hostel.

Health advice

If there's one thing you definitely do not want during your volunteer vacation, it's falling ill. And whilst you can't always avoid it, there are definitely some things that will help you to stay healthy during your stay as a volunteer in Chiang Mai:

  • There are no required vaccinations to enter the country, however, it is recommended to have valid vaccinations against diphtheria, tetanus and typhoid fever.
  • If you are going to volunteer with animals, e.g. at an elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai, the US-based health protection agency CDC recommends that you should consider an anti-rabies vaccination as well.
  • The street food is cheap and delicious, but you should still be careful when eating out. Western stomachs aren’t accustomed to the bacteria and often results in food poisoning or diarrhea.
  • Remember to wash your hands before and after eating.
  • Important: Don't drink tap water and avoid having ice with your drinks.
  • Mosquitos are everywhere in Thailand. Use a spray-on repellent during the day and at night. You can also use a permethrin spray on your clothes. Leave them outside and wait until they're dry before wearing them.

Culture & religion

Buddhism has strong influences on Thai culture with 95% of the population being Buddhist. This is why many of the traditions and believes come directly from Buddhist principles. Some important values in forms of behavior in Thailand are the following:

  • You should never touch a Thai person's head. The Thai people consider the head the most sacred part of the body and keeping face is very important to them. This means getting angry or raising your voice will not help any situation.
  • A smile, however, will always help. The Thais tend to smile a lot, which is why the country is sometimes referred to as the "land of smiles".
  • In contrast to the head, the feet symbolize the lowest part of the body. For this reason, you should never point your feet towards any person or a sacred image. Never step over someone as this is considered very disrespectful.
  • When visiting temples, you'll always have to take off your shoes. This can apply to houses as well.

Packing essentials

Depending on when you will be traveling to Chiang Mai and what kind of volunteer work you will be doing, there are some essentials you should bring with you to make life a bit easier and more comfortable:

  • You should definitely bring swimwear as well as a raincoat and an umbrella.
  • Don't forget sunscreen and insect repellent, the latter will help you to prevent insect bites and to reduce the risk of illnesses like malaria or zika.
  • Bring the right clothes: You should choose light, but long clothes. Don't wear sleeveless tops or short shorts in public areas.
  • Bring copies of your passport, travel insurance and blood type card and keep the originals in your hotel safe or another safe place.

Who can volunteer in Chiang Mai?

As you will have noticed by now, there is great number of different volunteer projects that expect different skills and abilities from their volunteers. While you can find out the specific requirements for each project on their profile on Volunteer World, here are some general requirements that apply to most projects in Chiang Mai:

  • You need to be at least 18 years old for most of the volunteer projects. When in doubt, we advise you get in contact with the local project manager, as in some projects you can also volunteer when you're 16 years old. There’s no age limit upwards: just check the 50+ icon on the program pages.
  • You need to have basic English skills as a volunteer in Chiang Mai. Please note that some teaching projects might ask for more advanced skills though.
  • Depending on the project you're interested in, you might need to provide a criminal background check and a health declaration before volunteering.
  • You are more than welcome to bring your friends or family to work for the social project. Just contact the project manager and ask them for the available opportunities.

How can I volunteer in Chiang Mai?

So you’re ready to volunteer in Chiang Mai but you’re not quite sure how to get started? Take a look at the following 3 steps that will prepare you for your Chiang Mai volunteer program abroad and an unforgettable adventure:

  • Check whether there’s a match between you and the project by looking at their requirements.
  • Take a look at the location of the project and decide whether it would be a location you are excited about.
  • Get in touch with the organization and see whether your expectations and your schedule match up

Once this is sorted. Let’s take a look at the practical steps:

Insurance (Health & travel) We recommend getting both health and travel insurance. In fact, this is even a requirement for most programs abroad. Get in touch with your program contact person to find out if an insurance plan is already in place for volunteers.

Visa, Passport and Documentation Once you know your destination, take the following 3 steps before setting off on your life changing adventure!

  • Look into the visa requirements for your nationality.
  • Make sure you have a valid passport considering the requirement of the host country.
  • Prepare the correct documents to fulfill the visa application.
  • That’s it! You’re ready to volunteer in Chiang Mai and have the volunteer experience of a lifetime!

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