from 765€

Excellent 4.8rating (859)

Thailand Elephant Volunteers

location
1 - 4 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Excellent 4.8  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Excellent response rate

Complete your reservation as soon as possible. This project fills up quickly and is already booked on certain dates.


Highlights

  • 80% of PMGY volunteers are 18-22 years old
  • A unique experience to work with animals on a top conservation project
  • Learn about some of the pressures & difficulties faced by Thailand’s wildlife
  • Experience a captivating & dynamic culture by volunteering in Thailand
  • Explore some of the world’s most magnificent temples in your free time

Especially suitable

Age 18+
Singles
Groups

About the program

Work closely with rescued Asian elephants in this inspiring elephant sanctuary in Thailand. If you love elephants, this experience is not to be missed!

If you wish to volunteer ethically with elephants, and wish to know more about them, the problems they face and you want to be part of the solution, the Thailand Elephant Project is the place to volunteer. The forested land around the rescue centre gives rescued elephants the chance to roam ...

About the program

If you wish to volunteer ethically with elephants, and wish to know more about them, the problems they face and you want to be part of the solution, the Thailand Elephant Project is the place to volunteer. The forested land around the rescue centre gives rescued elephants the chance to roam around in near natural surroundings. Large pieces of land have been purchased to make these forests and grasslands their home. The large elephant enclosures, up to 5 hectares each, with natural trees, lakes and grazing areas allow the elephants space to move around and socialise with other elephants. No elephant is ever chained up, day or night.

 

Thailand is home to both populations of wild and domesticated populations of the Asian elephant. The domestic population is sadly made up of animals that have been caught from the wild or bred in captivity. These animals have been trained/broken to live and work in the tourist or logging industry. Today, Thailand’s wild population elephant population is struggling for survival. The wild elephant population of Thailand is estimated at 2200 individuals, that live in open grasslands and dense rainforests spread over the country. Historically, domestic elephants have been used predominantly in the logging industry, ironically and unwillingly helping to destroy the very habitat they rely on to survive.

 

After the ban on logging in 1989, most of the logging elephants ended up being used within the tourist industry or have been used to make a living by begging on the streets of big cities. Walking day and night on these dirty and traffic-congested streets is detrimental to the elephant’s health, and unnatural. Street begging elephants often end up being involved in road traffic accidents, with fatalities commonly occurring for both the elephant and the mahout.

 

Unfortunately, in Thailand, there are currently no laws to prevent this abuse and mistreatment. Therefore there is an urgent need to help these animals. This is where our volunteers come in. This sanctuary has been created for elephants to retire and be given the respect these amazing creatures deserve. When volunteering with elephants, you will be taught everything you need to know about the care of these captivating creatures. You will work hands-on with the elephants, washing them, feeding them, cleaning and maintaining their enclosures, and going out to collect food for them.




Typical day

Typical duties for the volunteers include feeding the elephants, cleaning their enclosures, washing the elephants, walking the elephants to the forest, creating enrichments, maintaining enclosures, pools and mud baths, harvesting plant matter, including banana trees and grasses.

 

The working day ...

Typical day

Typical duties for the volunteers include feeding the elephants, cleaning their enclosures, washing the elephants, walking the elephants to the forest, creating enrichments, maintaining enclosures, pools and mud baths, harvesting plant matter, including banana trees and grasses.

 

The working day starts at 6:30am at the Volunteer House. The Volunteer House is where all organisation and orientation of volunteers is based. Volunteers will normally finish work around 5pm, with several breaks throughout the day for breakfast, lunch and water and toilet breaks. Volunteers are expected to work 6 days a week with one day off. The work is very physically and mentally demanding but the end result is always well worth it.

 

Volunteers will be assigned to work groups each day by the volunteer coordinators, and work with team leaders who are longer-term experienced volunteers who assist and guide their teams throughout daily tasks. Each person has their own pace, their own strengths and weaknesses. You are kindly asked to respect that not everyone has the same abilities and may work at a different pace to yourself. Everyone is here to help the animals and makes their contribution in their own way.

 

All volunteers during their time will be asked to assist in additional tasks to help us run the Volunteer House such as House Duty and Doggie Duty. Typically, two people per day are chosen to help with each. House Duty involves ensuring all volunteer areas are kept tidy each day and some common housework is completed. Doggie Duty involves caring for some of the dogs that live at the volunteer house. This involves washings, feeding and walking the dogs.


Free-time activities

The volunteer in Thailand wildlife rescue project cares for over 500 animals, including bears, elephants, tigers, gibbons, macaques, loris and birds. There’s also an elephant rescue program where the elephants live chain-free. The centre gives shelter to maltreated and neglected wild animals. ..

Free-time activities

The volunteer in Thailand wildlife rescue project cares for over 500 animals, including bears, elephants, tigers, gibbons, macaques, loris and birds. There’s also an elephant rescue program where the elephants live chain-free. The centre gives shelter to maltreated and neglected wild animals. Many of these animals are rehabilitated and released back to the wild. The Wildlife Rescue Centre is the perfect place for volunteering with animals.

Care for the animals is required 365 days a year and volunteers are required to participate in the project for 6 days a week to help with the general upkeep of the wildlife. However, in your free time it is worth a trip to the local village there are markets, restaurants and small shops for you to explore.

As our volunteers will testify, the wider travel opportunities are extremely important to the whole experience and it is something we certainly recommend. Our local team are able to arrange activities, transportation and accommodation but please note this is usually an independent experience outside of the core program.


Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (basic level)

Criminal Background Check

required

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Other Skills

You should also be physically fit, as volunteering overseas can be quite strenuous. If you have any medical/mental health conditions that may affect your participation overseas then these must be declared to us during your online application.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 06:30 - 17:00

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Plan My Gap Year

  • Accommodation 
  • Meals (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
  • Airport Pick Up
  • In-Country Orientation
  • 24 Hour Support

Airport Pickup at Suvarnabhumi Airport

You should arrive into Suvarnabhumi International Airport (airport code BKK) or Don Muang International Airport (airport code DMK) on the Sunday. The airport pickup is available between the hours of 6am and 2pm.

On arrival a member of our local team will be at the waiting area for you holding a sign with your name on it. They will drive you straight to the centre where you can relax and settle in. This journey takes around 3 hours depending on traffic.

Accommodation

Volunteers stay in European style, concrete and brick bungalows. Most accommodation is two or three people per room in single sex rooms, with the exceptions of couples, friends and families. Fresh linen is provided weekly during your stay. There are hot showers available in a communal bathroom area if needed during your stay.

 

Our cleaner cleans rooms weekly, and we ask all volunteers to look after their own space also, by keeping your personal area tidy. Keys for rooms are available by request and deposit. All rooms have electrical outlets for you to use. In Thailand, they use two fat pins, or two round pins, of 220v. There is a main Volunteer House where many volunteers hang out and socialise. It is also where all the volunteer work and life at the project is coordinated.

Food & Beverages

All your meals are provided during your stay in Thailand. All meals are prepared by the local team. Meals are predominantly traditional and local Thai cuisine. There are western meals provide on a weekly basis.

Clean drinking water is also provided in a number of locations on-site for volunteers.

Our team will do their best to cater for any dietary requirements but there may be instances where you may need to purchase alternative ingredients at your own expense.

 

Internet Access

Good access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) in Bangkok. We assist you to find cheap flights to Thailand. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Thailand provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in Thailand you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Thailand. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

This program starts every Sunday year-round

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

1 week (min. stay) 765€
2 weeks 1,129€
3 weeks 1,435€
4 weeks (max. stay) 1,740€
Average fees 599€/week

Program fees

599€ per week 1 - 4 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

1 - 4 weeks

Deposit

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


Final Payment

Your final payment will be agreed with Plan My Gap Year during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your organization

Plan My Gap Year

Excellent 4.8 rating (859 reviews)

Agency - founded in 2011

Verified by Volunteer World

  Excellent response rate

Coordinated by

Josh

Spoken languages: English

About the project

Plan My Gap Year is an award-winning international volunteer placement organisation based in the UK.

Meet your organization

Plan My Gap Year is an award-winning international volunteer placement organisation based in the UK. We provide safe, affordable, need-driven volunteer programmes from 1 to 24 weeks in 11 countries worldwide.

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT US…

Founded by volunteers for volunteers, Plan My Gap Year works with local communities in the developing world towards long-term sustainable goals. We know there is no better way to travel and make a positive impact on the world.

We work extremely hard to ensure that our opportunities are affordable for everyone who wants to make a difference. So fees are 100% transparent, something our volunteers really appreciate.

Plan My Gap Year structured programmes create the perfect platform for you to see the world, meet like-minded people and engage in meaningful volunteer work. We have teams in the UK and in our host destinations who will support you 24/7 throughout your time with us. Furthermore, every project on our network is regularly risk-assessed by our UK team to ensure our set up is safe and that our volunteers are making a positive impact.

There is also a great social element to our programmes. Plan My Gap Year puts you in touch with all your fellow volunteers via Facebook before you set off. Our projects receive volunteers from around the world throughout the year, so even if you’re travelling solo, you’re going to meet heaps of people along the way. Plus you’ll have plenty of opportunity to travel the country with your newfound travel buddies – it’s all part of the PMGY experience!

So if you’re thinking of doing something a bit different on your next trip abroad, then why not drop us a line and find out what extraordinary things you could be doing.

AFFORDABLE & TRANSPARENT FEES

Our aim is to make our programmes accessible to motivated travellers irrespective of their financial capacity. Plan My Gap Year focuses on providing the core requirements of a volunteer programme: safety, structure and sustainability.

We are 100% transparent with our fees. That way you know exactly how much of your money goes towards the local community.

Compared to the large majority of volunteer organisations out there, even most charities and not-for-profits, PMGY’s opportunities are significantly cheaper. Furthermore, as our reviews will testify, our support service and structured programmes are second to none.

SAFETY & RISK MANAGEMENT

Your safety is our top priority. All of Plan My Gap Years' programmes have been personally inspected and vetted by the PMGY team – which is not an industry standard by any means. We carry out independent risk assessments on an annual basis and our local teams constantly review the safety precautions we implement. This includes regular staff and safety appraisals.

 Our local teams are made up of highly experienced volunteer coordinators. They have hosted international volunteers for many years and are prepared to react in the unlikely event of an emergency. Whatever the problem, big or small, our local teams are available around the clock.

As part of our commitment to your safety, we keep in constant communication with local embassies and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office to ensure we can identify potentially dangerous situations and act upon them immediately. Our UK team are available 24/7 to assist volunteers and their families.

TRAINING & SUPPORT

We support our volunteers every step of the way. Before you go we will provide you with a detailed Volunteer Handbook, which will guide you through how to prepare for your trip. This Handbook contains literally everything you need to know – from what to pack, to how to obtain a visa, to local language guides.

Our experienced UK team are always available to provide assistance. Plan My Gap Year is always available to answer our questions and support you in anyway we can. 

On arrival, a member of our in-country team will collect you from the airport and help you settle in. Your orientation course will teach you everything you need to know about the country, how to stay safe and what to expect from your upcoming volunteer experience. 

Our local team are on-call 24/7. Whether you’ve lost your passport or just want some help in planning a weekend trip, our friendly in-country coordinators provide that safety net to ensure you are well looked after.

RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL

Plan My Gap Years' responsibility is not limited to our travellers but also the projects we support. That is why all our volunteers must provide a Criminal Background Check before they travel.

It is essential that our projects are need-driven and sustainable. We work closely with our local partners to ensure that our volunteers are contributing to bring about long-term development.

PERSONAL TOUCH

We really know our programmes. Our UK team have stayed in the accommodation, volunteered at the projects and met the volunteers. We carefully assess each application we receive so that your personality and skills are suited to the project. Whatever your query, you can feel assured that you will be speaking to someone who can tell you exactly what to expect.

HAVING FUN

One of the best aspects of volunteering is meeting some amazing like-minded people. We place over 2,000 volunteers every year so wherever and whenever you go, you have the peace of mind in knowing you will be living and working alongside other PMGY volunteers. In many of our destinations, we run our own Volunteer House accommodation, which ensures all volunteers live together, and therefore guaranteeing a strong social element. In addition, our local team are always there to help you plan any independent travel or give you some tips for what to do at the weekend.

859 reviews · rating4.8

I had the most amazing time at the wildlife friends foundation!! I found this program through PMGY and volunteered through the PMGY site. They answered all questions and queries I had as well as aided booking flights. The detailed guide they provided was also a great help. Would ...
Aurora rating5

2022 at Thailand Elephant Volunteers

I applied at PMGY for an "Elephants Rescue" experience in Thailand. The customer-help service is great! Every time I sent an email asking for information, I received an answer 10 minutes later by a kind, helpful and prepared Program Manager. The information they give are exhaustive, detailed and ...
Joseph rating5

2019 at Thailand Elephant Volunteers

Had a great 2 weeks in Thailand on the Elephant Conservation project. PMGY were very helpful throughout the whole pre-departure process, I would highly recommend using ...
I volunteered on the elephant conservation for 2 weeks in Thailand and it was an amazing experience. I would recommend PMGY and the project to anyone who was looking to volunteer as there is nothing I would ...
Brooke rating5

2019 at Thailand Elephant Volunteers

I had an amazing time on my trip to Thailand where I worked at the Wildlife Rescue and Elephant Refuge. Pre-departure I had all my travel information and reassurance emailed to me by PMGY and I felt super confident on here I had to go and what had to be done when I got there. This made the travel ...
Harriet rating4.8

2019 at Thailand Elephant Volunteers

The PMGY programme was great. Pre departure, they sent out all key information via the volunteer handbook which was very helpful, and with any additional questions they were quick to respond by email. The accommodation at the elephant sanctuary was basic but clean with a large fan. I didnt gave any ...

Location

Asia > South East Asia > Thailand > Phetchaburi

You might also be interested in

Contact Josh
  Excellent response rate
English

Most volunteers ask about


Do you have any more questions? Send a message to Josh
Please do not share personal contact details for your privacy