In Thailand, there are various, very nice ways to volunteer. There are many animal welfare organizations as well as veterinary clinics offering volunteer work. There are also social projects, children's homes and schools where volunteers can work.

The respective fields of application vary: depending on the training, the work from simple auxiliary activities to teaching at a school or veterinary studies can also be the assistance in operations in an animal clinic.

Voluntary activities in schools or children's homes are mostly offered through so-called "work and travel agencies". Here you can book a complete package, accommodation, meals and a job. For activities in social projects, schools and children's homes you should take at least 4 weeks.

At the animal welfare organizations you can ask for the internships yourself. As a rule, a minimum stay of one week is required, as you will also be trained in the activity. Some animal welfare organizations also offer overnight accommodation.

There are many different volunteer programs offered in different parts of the country. If you are mainly focused on Thailand's islands, then you can work there mainly in animal welfare. Most social projects are mainly located on the mainland in central, northern and eastern Thailand.

I've provided a list of some projects for you to download. There you can apply!

Depending on the job and the area you should inform yourself about the respective risks.

For example, if you work longer in animal welfare, you may also want to think about rabies vaccination.

If you are only in very rural areas, e.g. Northern and Eastern Thailand in the direction of the national borders or the rainy season, then you should definitely think of sufficient mosquito protection and possibly of malaria prophylaxis.

In general, you should take out a travel health insurance before departure and also tell us what work you will be doing.

For long-term stays of 4 weeks, you should also talk to your family doctor. He surely has a few good tips and information.

The best way is to inform you at an early stage with your family doctor, which vaccinations and health measures are useful for you. The advice should be about 1/2 year before departure, because some vaccinations have to be repeated several times and some vaccinations can not be combined with other vaccines. Malaria: Risk areas include in particular the border areas to Myanmar (Ma Hong Son, Tak, Chumphon, Prachuab Khiri Khan, Kanchanaburi and Petchaburi), the border areas in the extreme south towards Malaysia (Narathiwat, Songkhla) and the southeastern border areas to Cambodia (Trat , Chantaburi). If you travel to these risk areas, you may want to think about chemoprophylaxis. Although most of the islands in the south are considered malaria free, there are occasional cases of illness. A malaria prevention is advisable in the travel pharmacy. In addition, you should also pay attention to a strict mosquito repellent, so as to prevent so many infectious diseases from the beginning. (e.g., dengue, malaria)

The following vaccine protection is recommended:

•     Protection against tetanus
•     Hepatitis A and B
•     polio
•     diphtheria
•     In case of special exposure (land stay, stay in rural nature parks, work with wild animals and stray         animals, jogging / sports outside, etc.) and / or longer stay, vaccination against rabies, typhoid and         Japanese encephalitis can be very useful!
•    Which other vaccinations should be done with you, you clarify best with your family doctor. He can         see in your vaccination card, if even older vaccinations are refreshed.

Even if you have to take regular (prescription) medications, you should also discuss this with the family doctor. You may need to prove that you are dependent on these medicines in this amount (This is especially true for prescription drugs, including very strong painkillers and medications in large quantities.) Here you will get from the doctor an English language certificate that you have to take the drugs and that they are your property)

More about health on the road can be found here: Health, vaccinations and prevention    (link will follow)

The type of visa depends on the type of employment and whether you get money for this activity.

Voluntary work and social work are based on voluntary, unpaid work:

•     Non Immigrant Visa "O / S" Volunteer / Volunteer - max. 90 days stay

For further education, training and unpaid internships:

• Non Immigrant Visa "ED" "S" for Education, Pupils, Language Students & Students and Unpaid Internship - max. 90 days stay
• Non Immigrant Visa "ED" "M" for Education, Pupils, Language Students & Students and Unpaid Internship - max. 90 days stay per entry, validity 1 year

For further education, training and paid internships:

• Non Immigrant Visa "B / S" internship-paid internship - max. 90-day stay (The only option is to apply for a non-immigrant visa B / S. The visa authorizes a 90-day stay and must be extended to the Immigration Office for a longer stay on-site.)

You can apply for the visa 3 months before departure to Thailand at the Thai Consulate in your homecountry or the Royal Thai Embassy in your homecontry. From the day of issue the visa will be valid for 3 months. Within this time you have to enter Thailand! However, the approved period of residence does not begin until the day of entry into Thailand. Here, the date of the day of entry and departure is stamped in your passport.

To apply, you need the following documents - if you come from the US:

• Application form for the visa (completed and signed!)
• Passport  (valid for at least 6 months!) and travel documents
• 2 current passport photos: passport-size photographs (2″x2″) (photocopy or photo taken from Photostat will not be accepted). Photographs must have a light color background with a full- face view of the person without wearing a hat or dark glasses and covering up shoulders. Photos must be taken within 6 months.
• flight confirmation/reservation including the name of the applicant (going from US to Thailand and back)
  
• A copy of recent bank statement  ($700 per person and $1,500 per family) (The name of the applicant must indicated clearly) , In case of submitting family bank statement a proof of relationship (i.e. birth certificate, marriage certificate) must be provided.
• Original  letter of acceptance from the concerned schools/ universities or institutes in Thailand (if you would like to get a multiple entry visa, it's required that schools/ universities have to provide those details in an invitation letter)
• Original  letter from the schools/ universities or institutes in USA stating that applicants are visiting Thailand for education purposes
• For minor under 20 years old, please provide following documents:
  – Notarized copy of a birth certificate
  – Notarized copy of marriage certificate, in case of sole custody notarized copy of court order        must be provided.
  – Notarized copy or original passports or ID of mother and father/ legal guardian
  – Original letter of notarized consent for the minor to travel abroad from mother and father/        legal guardian

Processing time :
In person    5 business days
By mail       minimum 15 business days

Processing Fees:
single entry           80 USD
multiple entries     200 USD

Period of stay: not exceeding 90 days.

Validity of a visa:
single entry           3 months
multiple entries     1 year

Address:

Consular Office Washington,D.C
Royal Thai Embassy
2300 Kalorama Rd., N.W.
Washington,D.C 20008-1623

You can find more about visa here: visa

Before leaving, you should also think about your free time on the spot. If you want to do a trekking tour, sturdy shoes are indispensable and if you want to snorkel, you need your snorkeling glasses.

As a general rule, you should dress appropriately: this is especially important in public and / or cultural institutions (such as schools and temples)! As appropriate is as covered as possible. That may mean long pants and at least covered shoulders!

When working in schools you should ideally wear long pants and a shirt or blouse. At least long pants and sturdy shoes should be worn for work in nature and animal protection.

On the packing list you can find all the tools for the long-term stay in Thailand.