Greenforce's Thailand programme is unique in that it's partly composed by you. Focus on the projects that mean the most to you, travel to hidden gems around the country and meet people from all over the world that you'll live, work and play with on a daily basis.

Thailand Travel Highlights

- Help mahouts in our elephant camp as they take care of these remarkable creatures. Join them for their daily exercises and tasks
- Explore the remotest parts of this beautiful country
- Work on vital rural development projects - school building, teaching and working in orphanages
- Chill out on stunning beaches
- Party the night away in the unforgettable city of Bangkok
- Knowing you made a difference during your stay

Whats Included

- Meet Your Team briefing day and BBQ in central London before your expedition
- Airport pick-up, welcome and Safety briefing
- A variety of options for each week combining meaningful project work with incredible trips and tours
- All meals and accommodation during your expedition
- 24/7 emergency backup
- A captivating experience that will change your life.
- A unique opportunity to explore Thailand like never before

What will I achieve?

Greenforce's aim is to find the perfect balance of worthwhile conservation and community projects, amazing opportunities to travel and explore, language immersion and engrossing activities. As a whole, the Thailand expedition is the complete package. From the crazy nightlife of Bangkok to the stunning jungle locations of our projects Thailand really does have it all. The best bit being - you get to decide which weeks you want to do! If you love children and chilling on the beach, we have an adventure for you, or if you're an animal lover and want to trek through the countryside whilst getting off the tourist trail, you can do that too.

What will I see?

Thailand really does have everything - brilliant city nightlife in Bangkok, stunning national parks for hiking, beautiful beaches, ornately decorated Buddhist temples and of the course the opportunity to get up and close (and maybe take a ride) with elephants.

Where will I live?

Living conditions vary greatly depending on where you are on the expedition. For example, in Singburi your new home will be an Eco House in Central Thailand which is about 30 minutes away from Wang Nam Keow (with internet, shops, swimming pool, hospital etc). While in Wang Thong you'll be staying in Eco-huts and in Chiang Rai it will be homestays.

There are limited laundry facilities so expect to wash your clothes by hand. All participants are expected to be environmentally aware and clean up after themselves, and to play your part to keep the accommodation neat and organised.

Sanitation is always a priority but you will naturally get your hands dirty. Contact us if you'd like to find out more

Food and drink

The meals will be typical Thai fare, including plenty of rice dishes. You have the opportunity to learn how to cook, Thai style, by preparing your daily meals with the help and assistance of your new Thai friends and other volunteers.

Eligibility

Our expeditions are open to all nationalities. It is strongly recommended that all participants contact their visa offices/embassies to see what the visa requirements are for their specific country.

The minimum age is 17 and there is no maximum. Our expeditions attract people from diverse backgrounds and from all different ages. Many of the applicants are gap year students or career break participants looking to get away for a while. Everyone is welcome!

Money

The official currency in Nepal is the Thai Baht (THB)

1 British Pound is worth approximately 50 THB. Greenforce suggests taking some cash with you for any items you may wish to buy on the ground (such as gifts, market produce or alcohol). All the major cities have ATMs so a credit card can come in handy.

Country facts

The Kingdom of Thailand, is in South East Asia. Thailand was known as Siam until 1939 and the name Thailand means Land of the Free. Its land borders are with Myanmar (Burma), Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia. Its sea borders are with the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. Bangkok, a major port, is also the capital city with Chiang Mai as the second largest city. Thai is the official language and the majority of the people are Buddhist. There is still a following in the animist religion that believes there is a spirit in everything. The tallest Buddhist monument in the world stands at 127 metres in the town of Nakhon Pathom.

The climate is tropical with rains brought with the southwest monsoon in mid May (which provide a welcome respite from the heat and are definitely not a reason to avoid Thailand in the summer months!).

Population: 65,493,296 (estimated in 2008)

Did you know?

In Bangkok, and elsewhere in Thailand, goods can be bought from floating markets where produce is sold from boats.

Greenforce's Thailand project is unique in that you get to build from scratch your perfect expedition. We have combined our favourite weeks, which we think offer you the best of this amazing country, in our Ultimate Thailand Expedition below. There are loads of other projects and weeks to choose from - just check out the Additional Projects tab. If you want to add, change or remove weeks, you have that flexibility. Just give us a call to discuss your Thailand adventure and we'll build the perfect trip for you.

Week 1: Siam Culture in Singburi

After being met at Bangkok airport, you'll be whisked away to our introduction week - a great chance to learn more about Thailand, bond with your new friends and learn about the local area. You'll also learn about Thai culture, the Thai language and have a taste of what has made Thai cooking so famous around the world through Thai cooking classes. You'll visit famous Buddhist Temples (Wat Phranon Jaksi), the old capital of Ayutthaya (including a visit to the Elephant Village), Lopburi's monkey temple, museum and pagoda. All that in just your first week!

Week 2: Community project in Singburi

Staying in our Eco Centre you'll have the opportunity to participate in one of our community projects - from working in the local school or orphanage, to building work, construction projects or teaching. It's entirely up to you to decide which, but whatever project you pick you'll finish the week with new friends and the knowledge that you've made a positive impact during your stay. If you'd like to extend your time on the community project, just let us know!

Week 3: Elephant Sanctuary in Wang Thong

During this week, you'll help the mahouts in our Elephant Sanctuary as they take care of their elephants. You'll also be invited to join them for their daily exercises and tasks. During the week, you will also learn about the place of elephants in the culture in Thailand, their needs and current dangers. Daily chores include washing and feeding the elephants, learning some gardening and working with the people of the sanctuary

Week 4 & 5: Hill Tribes Volunteering in Chiang Rai

One of our most diverse programs in one of the most beautiful spots in Thailand, this visit to Thailand's northern hill tribe community will be hard to forget. The Akha people are a disadvantaged minority in Thailand but have a distinct culture and during your time with the families you will develop a new understanding and appreciation of it. This program will have you immersed in the village, experiencing a range of cultural activities and enjoying the surrounding fauna and wildlife through excursions, all the while helping out the local Akha people through various means like teaching, gardening and light renovation

Week 6: Beach Week in Songkhla

Songkhla is one of the southernmosts provinces in Thailand and considered the most important one for international trade and tourism (mainly with Malaysia). There is a harbour in Songkhla city, and loads of beautiful, sandy beaches. There are also many National Parks with stunning waterfalls and the Lake of Songkhla is famous for harbouring migration birds (from as far as the Himalayas and Siberia). You'll also get visits to the National Park Thalee Noi (bird sanctuary) and Don Na Chang National Park (with many waterfalls) thrown in too