It almost feels impossible to pick just one favorite moment from my three months in Thailand. Honestly, seeing the kids improve from week to week was my favorite part. It was so fulfilling to see them gain more confidence in their speaking and know that I played a part in that. This volunteering trip cultivated so much confidence. I never imagined I would be brave enough to do half of the stuff I did while in Thailand. I navigated a bus station by myself, I ate pig intestines, I showered with a bucket, and I was always having a good time while doing these things. I was pushed out of my comfort zone in so many ways, and not only did I survive, but I thrived. Go in with an open mind and an open heart, and you will have the time of your life.
Hill Tribe Support Volunteer Project in Thailand - Hua Hin
Purpose
Start dates
Duration
Volunteer hours
Age
Accommodation
Who is going?
Group video calls
Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
This program is ideal for:
Project details
Excited to be a Hill Tribe Support volunteer in Thailand - Hua Hin? International Volunteer HQ’s Hill Tribe Support project is a great opportunity to have a unique and authentic volunteer experience living with and assisting a Karen hill tribe. Volunteers immerse themselves in the Karen way of life and learn about their culture and traditions while helping the local community with education and other tasks as required.
What to expect and how you'll make an impact
Hill Tribes around Hua Hin maintain a traditional way of life but have an increasing need for access to modern education. As a volunteer, you’re able to support a Karen hill tribe to continue their traditions and protect their culture while also providing much needed help in English and other lessons. In return, you’ll get an authentic volunteer experience living like a local and learning all about their unique lifestyle.
Based in Kaeng Krachan, just over an hour’s drive from Hua Hin, volunteers mostly help with lessons in local schools, working with students aged between 3 and 15 years old. Duties often include:
- Teaching English
- Helping with lessons in other subjects
- Providing after school activities and games
Volunteers may also assist in various other areas in need of support, often involving community projects within the village or farming tasks. The specific type of volunteer work will be determined by the needs at that time.
Why do Hill Tribe Support volunteering in Hua Hin with IVHQ?
When you volunteer with hill tribes in Thailand you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
- Supporting hill tribes to continue their traditional way of life
- Helping teach English and other subjects to local people
- Developing your communication skills
- Gaining new skills and experiences
- Immersing yourself in Karen culture
- Exploring Kaeng Krachan National Park
Volunteer requirements
- Volunteers between the ages of 13-16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate in this program
- All volunteers aged 13+ are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ prior to departure. Those aged 13-17, if unable to obtain a criminal background check, can provide two character reference letters instead
- All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance
- To respect the local culture and customs in Thailand - Hua Hin, volunteers should be aware that they’re unable to have anything obstructing their face while at their volunteer placement.
- All volunteers must speak fluent English.
Are you eligible to volunteer?
Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.
Not sure which program to join?
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Who is going?
Group video calls
Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
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What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience
My favorite moment from the volunteer experience was In the class with the students, engagement with the dynamic Thai language, and the incorporation of English that the children were open to learning more about. The biggest impact my volunteering trip had on me was the sincere love and affection exchanged between different cultures. I would say to someone that I volunteered with IVHQ and learned a valuable lesson from the Thailand culture. Also, I positively impacted the six-grade students' life by teaching them English, showing compassion, and demonstrating cultural sensitivity.
The biggest impact would be being able to teach children. I would say to future volunteers that it is an experience you will never regret!
What I say to someone still hesitant about volunteering abroad is just go for it, you will have so much fun!
I would recommend this experience to anyone who is willing to be taken out of his or her comfort zone, who wants to discover a new culture in an ethical and respectful way and who likes to experience new adventures. It made me gain confidence in my abilities to adapt to a new environment and to be resourceful. My favorite moment from the volunteer experience was the people I met there, the other volunteers, the children and the local team.
Getting to know people form other cultures opened up my perspective on what it means to be a person was the biggest impact!
To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.
Academic course credit
Academic course credit
Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!
Learn about course creditRecommended online TEFL course
Recommended online TEFL course
We encourage volunteers on IVHQ’s Teaching and Childcare projects to come prepared by completing some relevant training, such as a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) course. Although formal teaching qualifications are not required on these projects as volunteers are supported by local staff, taking a TEFL course enables you to gain more from the experience. Visit our Online TEFL Course page to learn how to gain an internationally recognized TEFL certification at a discounted rate.
Get TEFL certified onlineLocation
Location
Located just over an hour from Hua Hin, Kaeng Krachan offers a unique volunteer experience in the heart of nature. Volunteers are surrounded by stunning landscapes and rich wildlife. The area is home to elephants that roam freely, providing a chance to witness these majestic creatures up close, along with other native species. Kaeng Krachan is perfect for those seeking a peaceful, adventure-filled escape immersed in Thailand’s largest national park.
Arrival and orientation
The Thailand - Hua Hin volunteer program begins every Monday, and you need to arrive in Bangkok for pickup on Sunday before your chosen start date between 6am to 4pm. After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK). Your airport pick-up in Bangkok is included in your Program Fee if you arrive between 6am to 4pm on Sunday, as well on Saturday, if you have arranged an extra night of accommodation.
When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by an airport member arranged by the local team who will escort you to the airport shuttle terminal where you will catch the three-hour shuttle to Hua Hin. Once in Hua Hin, our local team will meet you at the shuttle terminal and take you to the volunteer accommodation, which is a further 20-minute drive. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the Sunday night prior to your program orientation.
If you are traveling in Thailand prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up from a meeting point in Bangkok at 2PM on the Sunday before your program start date or you can make your own way to Hua Hin.
There are two options for orientation in Thailand - Hua Hin, a One-Day Orientation and an Introduction Week.
The One-Day Orientation: This begins on your selected start date and all volunteers will attend. It covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Thailand, including an introduction to the IVHQ Thailand - Hua Hin program, the local team, general rules and a class on the local culture and language. In the afternoon, you’ll learn about the projects, take a walking tour of the local area and arrange your SIM card. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socializing.
Introduction Week: The Introduction Week begins on the first and third Monday of each month and your volunteer program will commence the following week or you can start the week before if this works better with your schedule. The Introduction Week is very popular among IVHQ volunteers. We recommend all volunteers take advantage of this week to gain a deeper understanding of the Thai culture, a true appreciation of life in Thailand and bond with fellow volunteers while also taking a cooking class, learning the art of Muay Thai and touring local attractions. It’s also a great way to help settle the culture shock you can face when arriving in Thailand. The Introduction Week in Thailand - Hua Hin does incur an additional cost.
If you wish to participate in the Introduction Week, you can indicate your interest in this option on your application form when you apply for the program or you can let your Program Manager know once you’ve been accepted on the program.
Volunteer schedule example
Weekdays
| 7:00 - 8:00 AM | Breakfast at the volunteer accommodation |
| 8:30 AM | Volunteer work begins. Work and hours are dependent on the project and placement that each volunteer is working at. Lunch breaks can also vary in time depending on the working schedule, but all volunteers get some time to eat and relax. |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch at the accommodation or placement for one hour. After lunch, you will continue your volunteer work (where applicable). |
| 1:00 PM | Volunteer work resumes for the afternoon shift. |
| 5:30 - 7:00 PM | Dinner at the volunteer accommodation. |
Evenings Volunteers have free time to spend as they wish; however, many volunteers use this time to plan lessons or do extra work for their projects.
Weekends
Hua Hin is a resort city where you can relax on pristine white sand beaches, play a round at one of the 12 golf courses nearby, haggle over handicrafts at a night market, enjoy a traditional Thai massage, fly across the azure water on a kiteboard, or indulge in the delicious local cuisine and freshly caught seafood.
You can also travel further afield in Thailand, heading north for three hours to Bangkok three, or south to popular tourist destinations such as Phuket, Krabi and Surat Thani.
Accommodation and WiFi
You will stay in a homestay in Kaeng Krachan, hosted by a local family. Volunteers have their own bedrooms separate from the family but should expect to share common areas of the home. The volunteer rooms are mixed-gender and shared with 2 to 8 other volunteers.
Life in this remote location is quite simple – electricity may be limited at times, and while WiFi is available, the connection can be inconsistent due to the area’s remoteness. This makes it an ideal setting for those who wish to disconnect and embrace a slower pace of life.
However, if staying connected is important, we recommend purchasing a local SIM card in Hua Hin before arriving or planning your internet usage during off-peak hours.
There is no air conditioning, but stand fans are provided in the communal spaces. Both flush and squat toilets are commonly used, and running water is available, though the shower offers cold water.
The project is located about 1.5 to 2 hours from Hua Hin, Thailand.
Meals
You will receive three meals a day during the week and brunch and dinner on the weekend. All meals served at the accommodation are homestyle, vegetarian-friendly and will be typically Thai cuisine, including plenty of rice or noodle dishes with vegetables. Occasionally some meat will be provided as well, along with seasonal fruits for dessert.
Traditional Thai cuisine is designed to appeal to the four fundamental taste senses with a balance of sour, sweet, salty, and bitter flavors. Common ingredients in Thai cooking include fish sauce, shrimp paste, chili paste, coconut milk, and lime juice. Staple foods include rice, rice noodles, vegetables, and herbs.
Please note any dietary requirements you have so we can make special arrangements for you. However, you’ll need to be somewhat flexible due to the limited resources in this location.
Pricing
Spots are limited. For a Registration Fee of just US$299 (approximately CA$452) you secure your spot and unlock all our preparation and training tools.
You don't need to worry about paying your Program Fee until you get closer to your start date.
Duration |
Program FeeDue 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
|
|---|---|
| 1 week | $410 Equivalent to $59/day |
- All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$299 (approximately CA$452) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
- A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
- Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Thailand generally find US$50-100 per week to be sufficient for expenses.
- Meals
- Airport pickup
- Transport to and from volunteer project
- Accommodation
- 24/7 in-country support
- In-country program orientation
- Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
- Personalized preparation tools, guides and check lists
- Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
- Certificate of International Volunteer Service
Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.
- Return to the airport when your program finishes
- Flights
- Visa (if required), travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check.
- Personal spending money for snacks, laundry, public transportation, drinks and leisure activities during your free time.
Popular add-ons & experiences in Hua Hin
Take your volunteer experience to the next level with these popular add-ons and experiences. Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto the IVHQ Hua Hin program.
Learn more about the Thai culture and tick off some must-do Thai experiences.
Upgrade to a private hotel room 10 minutes away from the volunteer house in Hua Hin
Upgrade to a private room in the volunteer house.
Check what's required to visit Thailand
Safety and support
Safety and support
IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.
- All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
- All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
- All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
- All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
Essential country information
Essential country information
| Capital | Bangkok |
| Population | 69 million |
| Languages | Thai |
| Currency | Thai Baht (THB) |
| Time zone | UTC+07:00 |
Weather and climate
The climate in Thailand varies between the north and south regions although the temperature is relatively hot year-round throughout the country. The southern coastal region is characterized by a monsoon climate, which brings heavy rainfall from April to October in the South West and from September to December in the South East. In central and northern inland parts of Thailand, the climate is tropical with the rainy season lasting from May to November, bringing hot and humid weather. During the dry season, temperatures are cool from November to February and are hot from March to May.
Hua Hin has a warm tropical climate with temperatures fairly consistent throughout the year. December–April hosts the dry season before the monsoon rains arrive in May. Over the course of the year, the temperatures typically vary from 72°F (22°C) to 92°F (33°C).
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