Volunteer in Thailand - Koh Samui Beach and Build Development

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Working alongside our Teach and Beach volunteers at a local school on Samui’s North shore, you will be focusing on improving the look, feel, health and safety of the buildings, the grounds, the toilets, classrooms and every other aspect of the school – making it more conducive to learning. Our aim is to make this school a shining light on the island and a place that the local children look forward to attending each day.

Location of the Project: Mae Nam, Koh Samui, Thailand

Project length: Minimum 2 weeks

Arrival Airport: Bangkok International Airport (BKK)

Volunteer Work: Community development and construction

Age: 18-80. Age Exceptions: this project accepts volunteers who are 17 years old with a letter of consent from a parent or guardian.

Number of Volunteers: Up to 11 international volunteers

What’s Included

Accommodations: Shared accommodations in a volunteer House in Ban Tai

Food: Lunches are included during the week

Airport Transfers: Airport pickup is included upon arrival

Orientation: Orientation on the day after arrival includes a tour of Bangkok and the chance for volunteers to get to know one another before transferring to the project. Orientation introduction and training program provided upon arrival to Koh Samui.

Support: Comprehensive and professional pre-departure travel guidance, 24/7 GoEco emergency hotline, experienced local field team.

What’s not Included

Flights, visas (if required), travel health insurance, most meals, return transport to Bangkok, optional local excursions, international and domestic airport taxes, personal expenses

Location

Koh Samui, set in the Gulf of Thailand, is a popular destination for both backpackers on a budget and vacationers wanting to stay at high-end hotels. The school is located on the Northern side of the island, in an area known as “Mae Nam”, a small, under-developed rural community which boasts idyllic white beaches lined with rows of coconut trees and crystal clear waters. Whether you want to relax at a charming local café, visit ancient temples or dance the night away, Koh Samui is a destination that has it all.

Volunteer Work

Orientation (Included):
Upon arrival, you will be taken to a guest house and treated to an authentic Thai-style dinner. The next morning you will have breakfast at the accommodations and then go on a guided tour of Bangkok in which you will see the city and be introduced to the culture. That evening you will take an overnight transfer (bus and ferry) to Koh Samui where you will be met by a member of the project staff and brought to your accommodations. You will have another orientation and project briefing during your first morning on the island.

By no means do you need to be a contractor to work at this project. In fact, you don’t need any previous construction experience, as you will be supported by a team and working alongside local laborers. If you are willing to get your hands dirty (literally), you can help provide tangible, long-lasting solutions for a community in need. Development projects can range from painting a mural on a classroom wall to building an entire community center. Activities may include:

Painting walls and murals
Renovating existing structures
Building new structures from the ground up
Assisting with micro-development projects

A typical day: The day at the school will begin at around 9am with a team briefing about the day’s work and goals. You will work on the project until lunch time, which will be around 11:30 AM. After lunch you will continue with the daily work for another few hours. The day ends at 3pm when you will tidy up and account for tools and materials before making sure everything is stored safely for use the following day. You will work about 6 hours per day, Monday through Friday. Your weekends will be free to explore the island or travel to other destinations.

Please note that volunteer activities and schedules can change at any time based on the needs of the project.

Rainy season: in October and November there are often heavy rains which can sometimes affect this project due to the nature of the work. Please also keep in mind that the work itself is harder in incliment weather.

Living Arrangements

Internet icon Internet: WiFi is available.

Laundry icon Laundry: You can use the local laundry services which are fairly inexpensive or purchase detergent and wash by hand.

Accommodations icon Accommodations: You will stay in a volunteer house in Ban Tai on the very north of the island. The house contains three bedrooms (that sleeps eight people), a fully-equipped kitchen, a living area, two toilets and showers (one is hot), and a TV and DVD player for your enjoyment. There is also a communal swimming pool across from the front door.

Food icon Food: Only lunch will be provided. You can buy groceries in town for breakfast and dinner or eat at any of the restaurants on the island.

Travel Highlights

No trip to Thailand would be complete without exploring the country and its capital Bangkok, which offers a bustling nightlife and great shopping. History buffs will enjoy visiting the Khmer Ruins, the Wat Pho Temple, The Grand Palace and Sukhothai, Thailand’s 13th century capital. If you love nature, hike through Khao Yai National Park, visit the Marine National Park of Ang Thon or explore the scenery of Thailand’s Northern mountains and be sure not to miss the rock-climbing opportunities at Ko Yao Noi and Phi Phi.