Thailand Conservation Global Citizens
Explore the tropical region of southern Thailand and contribute to vital conservation efforts.
Program information
Join GVI and discover Thailand where students will explore and participate in conservation and environmental awareness projects that contribute to the United Nations Development Goals, UN SDGs, #4, Quality Education, #14, Life Below Water, and #15, Life on Land. You will have the opportunity to hike through tropical jungles to view spectacular waterfalls, kayak through mangrove forests, and visit some of Thailand’s most beautiful temples and beaches.
Afterwards, spend time volunteering at a sea turtle conservation centre, collecting plastic pollution from beaches, and renovating classrooms at local schools.
Program overview
Experience the energy and buzzing activity of Bangkok as you arrive in Thailand. Here the groups will be able to take in the sites and cuisine of the bustling capital city.
After that, there will be the opportunity to further explore Thailand and learn about its culture. The group will visit Khao Sok National Park, where time might be spent hiking or kayaking. Or there may be the option to travel to Phuket and take a traditional longtail boat to James Bond island, and stop off at Ao Phang Nga National Park. The group could also spend the day on a temple tour taking in the scenic views from Bang Reang Temple or marvelling at the massive gilded reclining Buddha surrounded by macaque monkeys at Wat Suwan Kuha.
For the service component, groups will focus on activities such as cleaning small turtles and working on the maintenance of their tanks and enclosures, as well as promoting environmental education, working to prevent plastic pollution, and increasing the population of coastal mangroves. The experience will offer insight into conservation issues facing the region and the measures the GVI team and their partners are taking in response, as well as contributing towards the UN SDG’s.
During your time on the program in Thailand, there will be plenty of opportunities to learn more about Thai culture, helping you kickstart your journey toward becoming a global citizen.
*This overview is an example of the activities and project work that students might get involved in on this program. More specific details of the program are finalised several months before each start date and can be discussed further with your Group Enrollment Manager. The overview shown here has been followed by our staff and group volunteers in the past.
Choose your bespoke itinerary
Program details
Itinerary
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Support & Safety
We won’t sugarcoat it — traveling abroad is usually a complex process that carries an element of risk. But this is exactly why we’re passionate about providing extensive support throughout the process as well as the highest safety standards during the in-country phase. We believe that volunteering abroad should not only be impactful, but an enjoyable experience that carries as little risk as possible. This is exactly how we’ve been able to maintain our reputation as the most highly respected volunteering organisations in the sector over the past two decades.
Health and safety case studies
How GVI upholds health and safety
It takes courage to book a GVI program, get on a flight, and head off to somewhere new. Volunteering offers a level of cultural immersion that typical backpacking or holidays ju...
GVI's commitment to safety and security
As the saying goes: ‘Expect the best, plan for the worst’. Cliched or not, we take it to heart. This tenet is at the core of how GVI operates when it comes to promoting the heal...
How GVI remains prepared for natural disasters
The weather isn’t just a topic for polite small-talk here at GVI. We have emergency action plans in place for all scenarios. So when the weather, or other natural forces, takes ...
How GVI manages participants expectations
Once GVI has matched a participant to a program that suits their passions and goals, our team aims to set the right expectations for them. In the event that false expectations a...
Your Impact
All of our programs have short-, mid- and long-term objectives that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). This enables us to report on our collaborative impact across the world in a streamlined manner, measuring which UN SDGs we are making a substantial contribution to. Furthermore, this will help our local partners and communities measure and visualise their contribution to the UN SDGs.
Prior to your arrival on base, you will be educated about the UN SDGs. Then once you arrive on base, you’ll learn about the specific goals we have in this particular location, our various objectives, and also clarification of how your personal, shorter-term involvement contributes to these.
Our aim is to educate you on local and global issues, so that you continue to be an active global citizen after your program, helping to fulfil our mission of building a global network of people united by their passion to make a difference.
Project objectives
GVI Ao Nang Long-term Objectives:
1. Promote sea turtle and dugong conservation.
2. Provide long-term and consistent data to conservation partners.
3. Increase public awareness of environmental issues and importance of environmental protection.
4. Assist with local marine and coastal waste management efforts.
5. Educate and train participants on biodiversity, survey techniques and marine conservation.
Speak to alumni
If you’d like to find out what the experience of joining a GVI project is really like, simply contact us and we’ll put you in touch with one of our many Alumni.
We’ll try to match you to an Alum based on your location, nationality, age, stage of academic career, gender, and program interests. This allows you to gain insights into the experience that is most relevant to you.
Depending on your location you might be able to speak to an Alum over the phone or online, or meet up with them face-to-face at a coffee shop nearby. We also run a series of small events around the world where you can speak to GVI Alumni, Ambassadors and staff members.
Get a first-hand perspective
Want to connect with some of our past participants about their adventures? Get in touch with hundreds of friendly ambassadors all over the world who would be more than happy to answer any questions.
