GVI: Volunteer in Thailand

I think almost every volunteer would agree that there isn’t a view quit like that of Houy Pakoot!

One my first day in the village I was fortunate enough to experience a celebration day for the end of rice season. I was greeted by a delicious breakfast with my family, followed by not so delicious rice whisky. The volunteers then went round to different houses in the village to celebrate with the families. This was a great way to get a sense of the type of people the villagers are. They are happy, generous, hard working people. The day made me feel more at home, happy and calm. It was also a great way to get to know the other volunteers (especially with a few glasses of rice whisky). As the weeks went on I grew more attached to all the people there and the village itself, which is something I did not expect before going out there.

Hiking was genuinely one my favourite parts of the experience. I learned a lot about different species of animals, insects and plants while in the jungle, which I did not expect. You become closer friends with people by chatting and helping one another on hike. I remember being speechless when I first saw the elephants. I learned so much about elephants health and behaviour through the staff, mahouts and data collection.

An aspect of the trip I didn’t not expect to do were the presentations in the first two weeks. This was one of my favourite parts because I was able to learn so much about elephants, the Karen people, ecosystems and the situation of conservation in Asia. As well as learning a lot some of the presentations did make me feel irritated with the current situation animals and their habitats are in. This has made me driven to help as much as I am able to change the situation of these animals.

If I had to think of one word that comes to mind when I think about the GVI Project and Volunteer Base in Phang Nga, Thailand, it would be development. This is not only a focus of the projects and UN Sustainability Goals that are the foundation for everything it does, but also paramount to the lifestyle that the volunteers themselves lead, and are encouraged to by the field staff there.

With three different community projects currently running in Phang Nga, the base is home to a collective of individuals with very different skills, natures and interests who somehow come together to make the overall impact a positive one.

The projects currently running are Conservation, Teaching and Healthcare, and offer volunteers a great scope of ways to get involved with the local community while still having a positive impact on that local area and contributing to the UN Sustainability Goals that I already mentioned. Personally, I was a Conservation Volunteer and did different things everyday; cleaning turtle tanks and the adorable hatchling turtles that inhabited them, cleaning the beach, preparing and delivering lessons in a local school, completing surveys of the local wildlife in the area and more recently, surveying the coral off of the nearby coastline.

This was something that I was particularly interested in doing, as I was fortunate enough to be able to complete my PADI Open Water Diver certification during my four weeks in Thailand. I have wanted to do this for a very long time and it wouldn’t have happened without the support and knowledge I received from the field staff, encouraging me to pursue one of my dreams in my weekends off. As an asthmatic diver, I had to obtain doctor’s permission for me to complete the course prior to beginning, and this was also done with the recommendation of a hospital by the base manager, translation for the appointment to be made by the community liaison and company to attend the appointment itself by a fellow volunteer. Everyone looks out for everyone else there, and helps to ensure that you enjoy your time while feel like you’re really making a difference, if only to one person.

In terms of the base itself, it is very well set-up and surely able to overcome anything life throws at it, such as torrential downpour so loud you can’t hear yourself think, or being cut-off from the mains water supply forcing you to use all the excess rainwater for.. everyday tasks. Accommodation is basic but all you really need and serves as a good reminder that many people survive and live contented lives with so much more than we.

I’d be lying if I told you that it was easy and wasn’t without many challenges, but spending a month with GVI Phang Nga is one of the best things I’ve ever done and I’m definitely not ready to finish working with them yet. If you are considering volunteering abroad and think that Thailand might be for you, consider GVI with the knowledge that you would be helping to continue building a community that has lost so much but come so far. I found the experience truly humbling and would go back to lend a hand tomorrow if I could.

Before heading to Thailand, I had always been so keen on volunteering with animals abroad. I found GVI and did my research into the company and decided this was who I wanted to volunteer with. I looked around the website and decided I wanted to go ahead with the volunteering with Elephants in Thailand program. (Elephants being one of my fav animals!) I got in touch and after a few email exchanges/phone call I was signed up!

This was my first time going abroad solo, so I decided to do the program for 1 month. I arrived at the airport and two lovely members of GVI welcomed me to beautiful Thailand. Once all volunteers had arrived, we then got a songthaew (Thailand's taxi) to the Eco resort hostel where we would stay for one night before heading to the village. We all went for dinner together and had a few drinks - this gave us all a chance to get to know each other.

The next morning we then set off on the 4.5 hour journey to the village. The journey did not feel as long as there were a few pit stops along the way which was great. We stopped at a beautiful waterfall, an amazing viewpoint and a fruit market. We then made it to the village! I did not know what to expect but I was very pleasantly surprised. We stopped off at base and we got to meet the other volunteers then I dropped my bag off at my home stay. The accommodation is basic but I easily adapted to life in Huay Pakoot. The houses are beautiful and their way of life is truly amazing.

My home stay family were so lovely and accommodating. They cook you lunch and dinner every day! The food is basic too, made up of rice, veg and some meat. However, and thanks to GVI, some of the villagers have managed to open up shops across the village that stock snacks, juices and smoothies!

The next day I did my first hike to see the elephants - and what a hike it was! We hiked for approx. 45 minutes to see Charlie and Thong Dee (2 of the elephants that GVI collect data on) and we were lucky they were relatively close to the road so it was not much of a hike through dense forestry to see the elephants. I cannot explain the feeling I got seeing the elephants so close, it was truly amazing! We then got to watch over other volunteers collecting the welfare and behavioral data on the elephants (GVI collect this data to show the elephants are better off in their natural environment!). Over the 4 weeks I went on about 3 elephant hikes per week, some more difficult than others. Some were pretty tough and very slippy (I went in the rainy season) but they were worth it to spend nearly an hour with the elephants!

There are numerous other activities you could get yourself involved in around the village including helping to teach in the local school and nursery - this was fantastic and the kids were great. You could also get involved in basket weaving, community litter picking and general things in and around base. We also had movie nights set up and one quiz night per week! You also get your weekends off and there is the option to go to nearby towns/cities!

The overall program was fantastic and this has to be the best experience I have ever had. All the staff were lovely, the villagers were so incredibly welcoming and I met friends for life - and the best part, getting to spend so much time with the amazing elephants. I would recommend this GVI program to anyone.

This was an amazing experience. Being able to work with sea turtles first hand was always a goal of mine and GVI helped me achieve that. The work was not easy, there was lots of tank scrubbing and turtle cleaning! The hatchlings are adorable but cleaning 300 of them in one day is no easy task! Still, it was extremely rewarding to know that all our scrubbing was having positive effects and increasing the chances of survival of the green sea turtle species. Apart from working with the sea turtles, we also got a chance to set up camera traps on two islands, Koh Ra and Koh Phra Thong, to track the presence of pangolins in the area. This was an extremely educational experience for me since I am interested in a career in conservation and lots of what I learned during my GVI trip will stay with me forever. This was also a great opportunity for me to learn what the field is really like and to make good connections that may aid me in the future.
The relationship that GVI has with the local community is truly something I have never experienced before. I always felt welcome and appreciated at the Navy Base when working with the turtles and you can tell that our work there does not go unnoticed. GVI's volunteers are treated like a part of the community and I really felt at home on base and around the village. Everyone was extremely welcoming to us and I never felt like an intruder on the local community. While we were there, our volunteer group got invited to many cultural celebrations that felt intimate and I would have never had the chance to experience them otherwise. We were invited to a celebration of Buddhist Lent on a small island and to the King's and Queen's birthday celebrations at the Navy base. Both these events were honored by having either a beach clean or street clean that involved the local community. It was really great to see how the locals were excited and able to get involved in the conservation efforts that GVI is also interested in.
The living conditions were very basic but were not bad. There are a few 6 person rooms and one large kitchen/communal area that everyone works together to keep clean. There is a real emphasis on communal living on base and this really helped engage the volunteers. I met amazing people on my trip and really believe I made life long friends in the 4 weeks I spent there. (I definitely suggest staying 4 weeks over 2, 2 just isn't enough time!). The showers are cold but the weather is so hot that it's actually really nice! There are a few shops in the village that have pretty much everything you might need to get while you're there. The food was good. The weekends were good to travel around Thailand - I got to see some beautiful parks while I was there!
Overall, I had an amazing experience with GVI Thailand. I would love to go back some day and highly recommend that anyone who gets the chance to go does so!

I booked my trip to Thailand to take part in the elephant conservation because I have always loved elephants and wanted to do something worthwhile with my 6 week holiday. I chose GVI as there dates fitted me best and were priced better than most. The pre-departure team are amazing and they all help massively in any way they can. Once in Thailand I made some amazing friends instantly which is made easier by the outstanding field team who all help you integrate very quickly. The weird thing was I went there for elephants but didn't expect to have such an amazing time, and I also didn't expect to love the community as much as I did. I fell in love with the people of Huay Pakoot and leaving them was the hardest part. After my 4 weeks in Thailand I departed for Singapore and was then due to go on to China. In a moment of madness sat in my Singapore hostel, I rang GVI and arranged to extend a further 2 weeks in Thailand. This was such a good decision as I loved every minute of being there. I have already planned to go back and to finish off would just like to thank GVI for giving me such an amazing time and changing my life.

Huay Pakoot was a life changing experience for me. I learned to observe and take data on elephants in a natural environment. It was the most interactive experience I have ever had with such wonderful creatures. The personalities of the elephants, their caregivers, the volunteers and the villagers made for an exceptional time. The simplicity of the lifestyle and the connection with nature made everything seem perfect. The food and the activities are great. I made lifelong connections in my experience and I look forward to returning to the village early next year. This place stole my heart, it will do the same for you.

I recently spent an extended amount of time in Huay Pakoot, Northern Thailand. It was a fantastic and magical place full of excitement, adventure and culture. I spent my mornings observing elephant behaviour and getting to know their mahouts (elephant watchers). My homestay family was a delight, full of smiles and awkward conversation as I practised my local language skills. I spend my afternoons going through various presentations and workshops to further my knowledge in the conservation, elephant and education sector. My evenings with my family while my friends came over for dinner or getting to know other volunteers at the base. There were numerous community engagement activities to get involved in. I taught grade 1&2 and loved getting to know the children and playing games with them after school. The place is truly what you make of it. If you enjoy getting to know people from any culture and adventure this is the project for you. I'd recommend doing an internship or staying for as long as possible to get the most out of your experience. 5*** from me!

Having just finished school I was eager to get out and experience the world. I searched for "working abroad with animals" on the internet, as you would expect hundreds of opportunities turned up. I narrowed it down to a few but the friendly nature of the GVI staff who listened to my many phone calls and questions made me want to experience more. I booked on to go for 3 months to Thailand, my first time travelling alone and outside of the EU! I was very nervous when I first landed but the GVI field staff immediately made me feel at ease and it wasn't long until I felt at home.

When I arrived in the stunning rural village, Huay Pakoot, I was hosted by a Thai family, living alongside them. It was difficult at first with the language barrier but I soon felt confident in my Pakinyaw language skills to hold conversations with most of the villagers thanks to the lessons for the staff and the aid of the long term interns on the project.

My first hike was incredible! Walking out into the forest to be overwhelmed by the magnificent giants, Asian elephants. Nothing will ever beat asking "where are the elephants?" and have them pointed out to you only a few meters away hiding in a tangle of leave. Over the course of the three months I spent working alongside the mahoots and their elephants I learnt how to recognise behaviours that were normal and stereotypical of the Asian elephant. This has aided me in deciding what to do as a career as I really enjoyed learning about each individual. Their unique looks and behaviours that made them each find a space in my heart where they will stay forever. The GVI volunteers got to laugh and joke around with the 'elephant watchers', the men of the community that own elephants in the GVI herd. This always made the hikes entertaining and I have created some really good friends. After too little time it came to my last week and my last hikes to see the creatures I had fallen in love with, it broke my heart to say goodbye but I know they are still living the best life, being free.

GVI Chiang Mai also offers an opportunity to teach and aid the community. Twice a week a small group of volunteers would make the walk up to the top of the village to teach English to children grade 1-6. It was really good fun planning and presenting lessons and seeing improvements in the students. We also had the ability to help out at Auban, the nursery, playing with the little tots of the village. We did not only teach the children but once a week we would hold "Homestay English" allowing the adults to practice their English. Likewise, we would hold "Homestay Pakinyaw" allowing conversation practice for the volunteers.

I loved my adventure with GVI and the only thing I can recommend is to go for as long as you are able. No time will ever be enough to learn about the community, work alongside fantastic people and see the beautiful elephants everyday.

I had a spectacular time volunteering in Thailand with GVI. I had many incredible experiences with incredible people. On our last day in Thailand with GVI we visited one of the many stunning viewpoints. Our guide told us that it was one of the finest viewpoints in all of Phuket. This was definitely true and it certainly was one of the best landscapes I have ever seen in my life. The weather was absolutely perfect too, the sun was shining, with practically no clouds in the sky. For me, it was a moment I wish I could live in forever. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case and so soon afterwards, we headed off to visit a temple, known as ‘Dragon Temple’ It consisted of a collection of many Buddhist buildings, all of which were highly decorated and very beautiful. The biggest and most impressive of these was a tower which rose to about 30-40 metres in height and had several floors. Standing up on the balcony, we were afforded spectacular views of the whole complex and the mountains beyond. The next place we visited was known as the ‘Big Buddha’ and rightly so! It was an incredibly large concrete statue of the Buddha stationed at the top of a flight of steps which themselves were on top of a large hill which had a magnificent view onto the valleys below. At the top, there was some serene religious music playing. My favourite part was the golden hearts made of aluminium which were hanging everywhere. The were hanging from trees, on carts and sheds, fences and lines which were hung especially to accommodate them. Each one had a message written on it and as I looked, I could see a vast number of different languages, from French to Chinese, German to Russian, Spanish to Thai, English and a whole host of others which I couldn’t understand! This final experience, amongst so many others, made my time in Thailand so incredibly enjoyable. I would thoroughly recommend GVI as a volunteer organisation as the experiences they provided me with were simply incredible.

I volunteered through GVI on their most popular “Volunteer with Elephants in Thailand” program. Though I was looking forward to visiting Thailand (and immerse myself in all the delicious food), I was even more excited to sign up for my first volunteer experience abroad. During my one week, GVI provided the support, communication, and project prep needed for a first-timer like me.

Impact: I learned very quickly about the current state of the elephant tourism industry in Thailand, and it was clear that this project strived to change that by bringing one elephant at a time back into the wild. Every day we met at the volunteer base and then took hikes to observe the elephants in their new habitat. GVI worked very closely with the Huay Pakoot community, and our work with the elephants helped create jobs in the village and promote an alternative method of elephant tourism.

Support: Every field staff member (Danielle, Holly, Phoebe, Jina and Pádraig) was always available for questions and provided orientation for new volunteers. Also, during your first week on the program, a staff member will join a new volunteer for dinner every evening with your homestay family to help you adjust!

Value: Disclaimer: My participation in the program was waived by GVI as a part of the Go Overseas paid PAID vacation program. However I do know that the program fees include airport pickup, transfer to and from Huay Pakoot, housing, and all meals for all volunteers during your stay.

Fun: There were always daily activities hosted by the program like river days, language exchanges, lessons with the local school children, or dinner with the mahout families. Even though life takes a slower pace in the village, there are plenty of volunteers on this program -- around 20 of us during my stay. Also, you have the option to take a weekend trip to Chiang Mai when there are no hikes (because there are always inbound and outbound volunteers).

Safety: There was never a time I felt unsafe during my stay. Your accommodations will be very basic, but my room and homestay house would be locked when no one was home. Also, the mahouts and field staff are very knowledgeable and tell you how you need to interact with the elephants.

Overall: The beauty in the program was really the opportunity to interact so closely with these intelligent animals, getting to know each one personally. My favorite elephant was Thong Dee, who was a total sweetheart with an old soul. If you are looking for an alternative trip during your time off (and have a love for elephants!), then definitely consider going to Huay Pakoot. I wish I had more than one week, because it was very obvious that longer term volunteers were deeply connected to the animals and community.

I recently returned from a volunteer programme with GVI in Thailand. The programme involved teaching orphans at a kindergarten, teaching healthcare to Burmese children and working with kids with disabilities. From start to finish, the support from GVI was incredible, and any nerves I had about the programme quickly disappeared. There was always someone you could contact for help/advice, and they provide you with a lot of information before you go. Right from the beginning, everyone was so friendly and they quickly became my second family and my home away from home. They give presentations and training throughout your programme, which aims to not only improve the community you're in, but all over the world as well. You can genuinely see the difference you make to the community, and everything is planned or has a curriculum to follow, so that no one is confused and the kids are actually learning all the time. I will definitely be doing another programme with GVI, and I love that I can still be involved from home!

My standard day would involve getting up and going to the Foundation to teach 4, 5 or 6 year olds English. When I was there, every day we would teach a different letter or the alphabet with vocabulary to go with it. We would then go back to base for lunch, and leave for Camillian social centre in the afternoon to work with kids and young adults with disabilities. We would either do physiotherapy or arts and crafts, and then do a mixture of games and sensory activities. It was tough but one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. We would then go back to base to lesson plan for the following day, and have dinner. At night we would be free to do what we liked, and normally we would play cards or watch movies. Every second week you would have a Friday project, and the other weeks you would have a long weekend if you wanted to travel.

As an intern, I spent 6 months on this project and was pretty nervous when I first arrived, knowing how long I was going to be there for! The first two weeks were the hardest, adapting to the different lifestyle, being surrounding by lots of new people, trying to learn the local language. But it is really the greatest experience you could ever have! When you first arrive to the village, you are taken to your homestay basically straight away by a staff member, where you will be introduced to your new family and shown your bedroom and bathroom. Then it is back to base for a potluck dinner with the staff, new and old volunteers so everyone can get to know each other. Hikes to see the else leave early in the morning which you go in groups with the staff, some other volunteers and the mahouts. Seeing the elephants for the first time in the forest is something that will stay in your memory and it's just as great every time after that!

The staff at Huay Pakoot are really great, making sure everyone is doing well and they are very helpful. Being there for a long time, I feel like I really made a connection with them and formed some good friendships.

Every two weeks there is the opportunity to go into Chiang Mai to get a bit of civilisation and some comforts such as a bed and yum food. It's also a good opportunity to bond with fellow volunteers and explore the city. Sometimes there is a festival going on somewhere, and the staff will let everyone know and try and organise a trip.

There were a lot of challenges to overcome during my time there, it's quite an adjustment and the project really can push you to your limits, but thats what people go there to experience. Being immersed in a different culture, meeting likeminded people and seeing elephants everyday is something I will never forget!

My boyfriend and I participated in the Marine Conservation Program in Phang Nga, Thailand and loved every minute of it.

We stayed with the locals at one of the villages affected by the 2004 tsunami. While the accommodation was modest, it really helped us learn more about the local culture and understand our impact on the local community. Additionally GVI hosts participants from around the world so the program was a great opportunity to meet lifelong international friends.

The conservation program involved a lot of travelling compared to the other programs on base. Each day we would get up bright and early to head off to either a national park, island, or conservation centre. Our work included turtle tank maintenance, mangrove forest clean ups, or biodiversity surveys. If it was turtle rehabilitation day, the team would start off by cleaning the tanks at the centres. Then we had to check and treat the turtles for fungal infection, before releasing them into their tanks. For the mangrove clean-ups, we canoed down the rainforest to collect waste. The calming scenery and wildlife made it feel like a serene stroll through the forest, rather than a clean-up.

The biodiversity surveys were undertaken through nature hikes. We would either hike up the hill and collect observations on the way done, or conduct the survey during the hike itself. The best part was being able to go for a swim in the waterfalls or have a picnic after our work. Often we then would head back to the village for lunch, where GVI gives us an allowance to spend at a local family restaurant.

During the biodiversity hikes we would find heaps of interesting creatures such as groovy coloured caterpillars, hermit crabs and small animals.

Coincidentally, we completed our program while students from the Duke University were completing a Service Learning program. They planned a big beach clean day where all volunteers and staff members teamed up to reduce waste polluting a local beach. Staff members from a nearby businesses and hotel guests were also happy to help out, demonstrating the positive relationship GVI has with the local community.

I highly recommend GVI and their volunteer program for curious minded adventurers looking for a unique learning experience.

I've visited lots of places across the world but this village was my favourite thanks to the amazing time I had there with GVI. I dont think anything can top hiking through the jungle with amazing people to see a semi wild and happy heard of beautiful Asian elephants. Then to come home and chill at base with such a stunning view.

Every day brings something different; exploring a new part of the forest, seeing a new creature, giving a health check or feeding one of the elephants, learning a new phrase in the Karen language, bonding with the villagers, you name it. Every day is special out there.

GVI don't allow cruel abuse of their elephants such as riding by tourists, excess and inexperienced use of the bull hook, use of any weapon on the elephants, or excess feeding of unnatural foods such as fruit. I would definitely recommend volunteering with this company.

I would highly recommend GVI and their rescued Elephant reintroduction project in the protected forests of Chiang Mai. Enjoy hiking up corn fields to find the beautiful animals. Stay with them and track their behaviours throughout the day. Passionate staff, an amazing village and culture. If you want a life changing experience, then sign up today! 2 weeks was ok but stay longer if you can, to get even more out of the experience.