GoEco > Asia > Thailand > Habitat Community Construction

Thailand – Habitat Community Construction

Fast Facts

Please Note: This program is temporarily unavailable. Check out our alternative programs in Asia or schedule a one-on-one call with one of our expert volunteer advisors.

Buildings made with clay and mud are becoming increasingly popular in Thailand, as the clay helps to provide some respite from the generally hot and humid climate. The clay is a natural resource, which also helps with affordability as well as serving as a sustainable construction material that serves as an alternative to concrete.

The goal of this project is to construct various buildings within this eco-friendly community. Volunteers will be working to prepare the natural clay mixture as well as participating in the actual construction of the homes and school. The school construction is estimated to take up to 5 years to complete, and will be built in stages.

Program Highlights:

Experience the culture of Central Thailand
Help in the construction of eco-friendly, clay structures for a sustainable community
Live in the eco-friendly mud structures for an authentic experience
Visit ancient temple and worship sites, historical markets and more in your free time
You can enhance your Thai experience by adding our “Thai Culture Week” for an additional cost. If you book together with this program, you will receive a 50% discount off the culture week’s full price! *Discount will be applied to your final balance.

Your Schedule at a Glance (Minimum One-Week Commitment):

Day 1, Sunday: Arrive at Bangkok Airport (BKK). You will be picked up from the airport and taken to settle in to your accommodations and meet fellow volunteers,

Days 2-3, Monday and Tuesday: Volunteers will prepare clay mixture, create bricks, lay bricks, plaster and more.

Day 4, Wednesday: Following clay work in the morning, volunteers will take a tour of Sing Buri.

Days 5-6, Thursday and Friday: Volunteers will prepare clay mixture, create bricks, lay bricks, plaster and more.

Day 7, Saturday: Volunteers will depart on Saturday and transfered to airport before 17:00 PM.

Please note: This project does not run on rainy days since the sun is necessary to dry the clay; volunteers will join another construction project on such days.

Location of the Project: Tha Kham, Sing Buri, Thailand

Project length: 1 week

Arrival Airport: Bangkok International Airport (BKK)

Volunteer Work: Construction

Age: Min age of 18. Age exceptions: Participants aged 16 and 17 may apply with parental consent. Families are welcome to join with children aged 12 and above. Families need to stay in a private en-suite room, extra fee $120 per week per room.

Number of Volunteers: Up to 20 international participants

What’s Included

Accommodations: Shared, single-gender rooms in riverside “Eco Houses”

Food: 3 meals per weekday provided, 2 meals on weekend days provided

Airport Transfers: Airport pickup and drop off are both provided

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, personal expenses

Location

Sing Buri is a beautiful Thai town, located just 142 km north of Bangkok. It was founded during the reign of King Rama V through the consolidation of 3 small towns located on the bank of The Chao Phraya River, north of Ang Thong. The town boasts an impressive collection of temples and colorful architecture that create the perfect backdrop for the numerous festivals held during the year.

Accommodations are located riverside, close to the Tha Kham outskirt of Sing Buri. This gives volunteers the opportunity to live in an area of Thailand that is not in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the more touristic and crowded areas. Volunteers will have the opportunity to explore Sing Buri on Wednesday afternoons and on weekends.

Volunteer Work

with clay. You will also be involved in preparing the clay itself.

The clay must be extracted from the ground and mixed with water and activity usually done by foot. After mixing, it must sit for one day before being poured into the brick molds, where it must sit for two weeks before being ready to be used construction.

Some of your tasks may include:

Preparing clay mixture
Creating clay bricks
Brick laying
Plastering

Living Arrangements

Internet icon Internet: Wifi is available at the accommodations

Laundry icon Laundry: Laundry can be done by hand, or for an additional fee, volunteers may use a nearby laundry facility.

Accommodations icon Accommodations: Volunteers will stay in shared, riverside “Eco Houses” in single-gender rooms. Each “Eco House” has a communal lounge area and is located near the Tha Kham village on the outskirts of Sing Buri.

Food icon Food: 3 meals per weekday are provided, and 2 on weekends. Most meals at the accommodations are vegetarian friendly, consisting mostly of rice dishes and fresh fruit. Water, coffee, and tea are available all day.

Requirements

Please take note of this project’s minimum requirements:

Basic level of English
Volunteers should be in good physical condition

Travel Highlights

Culture Week (highly recommended): This seven-day jam-packed week is a great opportunity to learn about Thailand and meet other international volunteers. It offers tours around historical areas (Ayutthaya historical park), Thai language lessons, cooking lessons, taste-testing (Thai BBQ), school visits, sightseeing (Wat Phra Phutthabat Temple – Buddha’s footprint) and so much more! This week will ease you into your volunteering experience by providing you with an better understanding of the history, culture and customs. Please note that the schedule can change at any time based on the weather conditions.

Thailand’s central province of Singburi is home to a handful of temples and historical sites; and of course there is a nearby market waiting to be discovered! A few places for volunteers to explore on weekends include:

Wat Pikun Thong
Wait Pikun Thong is an ancient temple that is home to one of the largest Buddha statues in Thailand. This large golden figure is a famous symbol and a commonly sought-after destination for tourists.
Pak Bang Market
Over 150 years old, the Pak Bang Market is an essential go-to for those who wish to have a taste of Thai market food and desserts.
Mae La Maharacha Nusorn Park
This national park is an excellent option for volunteers who are looking to relax in nature by the Mae La River. There is a fish breeding and conservation project that is located in the park as well.
In Buri National Museum
The In Buri National Musuem is located near to the Wat Bot Temple, and contains ancient artifacts from various historical areas of Thailand as well as Chinese ceramics.

Add-Ons (Not Included):
You can extend your stay in Thailand with one or more great program add-ons for an additional fee. Here are the opportunities we recommend:

Thai Boxing: Sign up for authentic and traditional Thai boxing classes under the provincial champion of the Sing Buri district. Learn the basic principles and foundations of the exquisite art form, Muay Thai.
Hua Hin Beach & Volunteer Week: This jam-packed week will help you make the most of your experience in Thailand. You will have the chance to go on cultural excursions to learn about Thai Buddhism and assist monks with daily chores. You will also have the opportunity to teach local children with some time dedicated to beach conservation. On a few afternoons you will have free time to relax at the beaches of Hua Hin!
Jungle Trek: Get ready for adventure as you trek through the tropical forests west of Sing Buri. You’ll have the opportunity to sleep under the stars, trek to spectacular waterfalls and caves hidden in the jungle and more!
Thai Buddhism Immersion in Wang Nam Khiao: During this week-long program you will be introduced to Buddhism. You will have the chance to discuss Buddhism with a local monk and enjoy a two-day stay at the Wat Suptawee Temple to learn walking and sitting meditation forms as well as experience the daily life of monks.