| Q. |
When do I need to arrive in Thailand for my program? |
| Ans. |
You can come one day in advance from your program starting date. |
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| Q. |
What will happen once I arrive in Thailand? |
| Ans. |
Our staff will be there to meet and greet you at the local airport and from there you will be taken to the project or hostel depending on the time of your arrival. We will send you details of how to get to the project once you apply with us. We will let you know which is the closest airport where you have to arrive. Usualy once you arrive in Bangkok, if you project is in south Thailand you can get connecting domestic flights which are very cheap from www.airasia.com. |
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| Q. |
When will I know specific details of my placement? |
| Ans. |
Once you have applied, we will send you details of your placement usually within 10 working days.
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| Q. |
How do I get to the program location? |
| Ans. |
Your country coordinator will take you to your placement and introduce you to everyone after giving you a basic orientation about the program/city/culture etc. |
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| Q. |
I want to know more about accommodation arrangements? |
| Ans. |
We provide you with accommodation from your start date to the end of the program. Accommodation will either be in a host family or arranged at your program location itself. You will have your own room, which you might share with another volunteer. You should bring along things like, mosquito net, mosquito repellent and your own soaps and shampoos.
Some projects are in camps, please read for more info; |
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| Q. |
What are the living conditions in the camps like? |
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The living conditions will vary somewhat depending on which program you are participating in. While you're volunteering with us, you might be placed in:
- Our centers, which have all of the basic amenities (electricity, running water, toilet, places to sleep- most of them dormitory style)
- Temples or community buildings, which again include all the basic amenities
- Home-stay locations with local families, which are simple, clean and have all necessarily facilities.
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| Q. |
What will be the food arrangement? |
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You will get freshly cooked food 1-2 times a day depending on your program. Food is usually a mix of meat and vegetarian as cooked in most Thai households.
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| Q. |
Do you make provision for vegetarians? |
| Ans. |
Yes and if you are vegatarian this will not be a problem, we will arrange the food for you. |
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| Q. |
What is the age range to volunteer? |
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You must be 18 years or older to volunteer. The maximum age limit is 60 yrs. We also allow people below 18 (till 16yrs) if they are accompanied by an adult. |
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| Q. |
What immunizations/vaccinations will I need? |
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We recommend you speak to your doctor before coming. The following are recommended vaccinations:
- Tetanus and diphtheria
- Polio
- Hepatitis A and B
- Typhoid
- Rabies
- Japanese B encephalitis
- Tuberculosis recommended if living with local people for 3 months.
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| Q. |
Do I need to speak English to volunteer? |
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English is the only language apart from Thai which is understood by many people in Thailand, you will need to be good at spoken English to come and volunteer in Thailand.
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| Q. |
Can couples or families join the volunteer program? |
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You can come in couples or groups as long as most people are above 18. We cannot accommodate anyone below the age of 16 even if they are accompanied by a family. |
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| Q. |
Are there more expenses once I arrive in Thailand? |
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Your program fee covers you for food and accommodation. You will need to cover yourself for your personal expenses, such as travelling, telephone, internet, shopping, sightseeing etc. Travelling within Thailand is cheap; however, you should carry at least $30 per week for yourself. |
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| Q. |
Where can I change my money in Thailand? |
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You can change money in any bank or at the airport by showing your passport. |
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| Q. |
Are there ATM’s in Thailand? |
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You will find many from all banks across Thailand. |
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| Q. |
Is there phone and internet available on projects? |
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You can find internet cafes in all but the smallest towns in Thailand, so e-mail will not be a problem. Telephone calls can be a bit difficult, because you need an international telephone booth and a special phone card. Most medium-sized cities have a post office. If you're worried about keeping in touch with your family and friends back home, it may be a good idea to bring your own mobile phone and buy a SIM card in Thailand (about 500 Baht). Tell your family not to worry if they don't hear from you for a few days. You'll find that while living in rural Thailand, there are times when for whatever reason communication with the outside world is simply impossible. |
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| Q. |
What hours will I volunteer every day? |
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Volunteers usually work for 5‐6 hours a day depending on their program. You will have weekend off so you can go to travel on weekends. However some organizations will need you to work on some Saturdays as well. |
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| Q. |
Are we able to do any sightseeing or travelling in weekends? |
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You will usually have 2 free days per week, you can utilize this time for anything you like. All costs are at the volunteer's expense. Volunteers can explore the region around their camp during their free time, which will be mostly on weekends. . If you want to see more of Thailand after your stay with us, make sure to schedule in some extra weeks at the end of your trip to explore the country. |
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| Q. |
Is Thailand safe? |
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Most travelers know Thailand as a country of peace and harmony. Travel is easy to arrange (via train, bus, taxi and various forms of public transportation) and inexpensive. There are many places to visit, and finding food is never a problem. No matter what the time, you can always find something to eat or drink in the little stalls that line Thailand's streets.
People from Thailand's rural areas are almost invariably kind and generous, but you will have to be more careful in the cities, where scam artists and pickpockets abound. Violent crime is not a big problem, so just conduct yourself as you would in any large city and keep an eye on your valuables.
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| Q. |
What are the best months to travel in Thailand? |
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This is to some degree a matter of preference. Many people prefer to come during the dry season in December to February and June to September, when the daytime temperature isn't overwhelmingly hot and the nights are cool and pleasant. The vegetation is more lush and most flowers bloom during the wet season (October till the end of November). The summer starts on March and ends around May, you have to endure higher temperatures. Thailand is a geographically diverse country, and the seasons vary somewhat depending on what region you will be visiting. Most good guidebooks will have more specific information that you can check. |
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| Q. |
Do I need travel insurance? |
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Yes, it is included in the program fee that you pay to Volunteering Solutions |
