Join a week-long cultural experience in Thailand. This program is the perfect way to begin your volunteer abroad experience! Meet fellow participants and future volunteers, learn about traditional customs and go sightseeing.
Program Highlights:
Itinerary (One-week commitment):
Arrival Day, Sunday: Arrive at Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) or Don Mueang Airport (DMK). Participants will be picked up from the airport and taken to their accommodation. Settle into your new home for the week and get to know your fellow participants.
Day 1, Monday: Following breakfast, participants will receive an introduction to the week’s schedule, followed by a walking tour of the Tha Kham village. Participants will be taken to downtown Singburi to do some shopping before visiting the Wat Phikun Thong temple and getting an introduction to Buddhist rituals. Participants will visit the Banbang Sadet Court Doll Center, famous for its miniature dolls, and even get to make their own. The afternoon concludes with a basic Thai language lesson. Following dinner, participants will join a welcome party and get to watch and partake in traditional dancing.
Day 2, Tuesday: In the morning participants will visit Wat Muang in Ang Thong, which is home to the tallest Buddha statue in Thailand, followed by a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ayutthaya Historical Park. Next up are visits to two more temples; Wat Mahathat and Wat Sri Sanphet, and a trip to the local outdoor market. The last afternoon activity will be a visit to Wat Yai Chai Mongkol, where participants can throw coins for blessings and see the Reclining Buddha statue.
Day 3, Wednesday: Participants will begin the morning with a drive to Wat Phra Non Chaksi to meet the local monks for a walking village tour. Participants will prepare a meal for the monks and have breakfast before participating in a meditation class. Following the meditation will be a visit to the giant, sleeping Buddha statue. Lunch will be served back at the accommodation, followed by free time in Singburi. The evening brings dinner at a Thai barbeque restaurant.
Day 4, Thursday: This morning and afternoon will be spent sightseeing temples in Lopburi. You can walk around and enjoy seeing all of the wild monkeys here! Once back at the accommodation, participants will assist with after-school activities for local children. Activities may include providing assistance with homework in English or math. A visit to the mall will take place after dinner, where everyone will have some free time or group activities to choose from.
Day 5, Friday: Participants will start the day with a visit to a local handicrafts workshop which makes jewelry from coconut shells. Following the workshop will be traditional Thai cooking lessons! Participants will be eating their own cooked meals for lunch on this day. After lunch, participants will tour a local farm and get to see rice fields, fish farms and water buffalo roaming about. The day will conclude with a visit to one of Thailand’s most historical sites: the Khai Bang Rachan Memorial Park.
Day 6, Saturday: Departure day or transfer to your next program.
Please note: Itinerary is subject to change.
Program Highlights:
- Immerse yourself in authentic Thai culture
- Get to know your fellow Thailand volunteers before beginning your volunteer program
- Learn about Buddhist traditions
- Enjoy cooking and language lessons
- Visit the tallest Buddha statue in Thailand and a monkey temple in Lopburi
Itinerary (One-week commitment):
Arrival Day, Sunday: Arrive at Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) or Don Mueang Airport (DMK). Participants will be picked up from the airport and taken to their accommodation. Settle into your new home for the week and get to know your fellow participants.
Day 1, Monday: Following breakfast, participants will receive an introduction to the week’s schedule, followed by a walking tour of the Tha Kham village. Participants will be taken to downtown Singburi to do some shopping before visiting the Wat Phikun Thong temple and getting an introduction to Buddhist rituals. Participants will visit the Banbang Sadet Court Doll Center, famous for its miniature dolls, and even get to make their own. The afternoon concludes with a basic Thai language lesson. Following dinner, participants will join a welcome party and get to watch and partake in traditional dancing.
Day 2, Tuesday: In the morning participants will visit Wat Muang in Ang Thong, which is home to the tallest Buddha statue in Thailand, followed by a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ayutthaya Historical Park. Next up are visits to two more temples; Wat Mahathat and Wat Sri Sanphet, and a trip to the local outdoor market. The last afternoon activity will be a visit to Wat Yai Chai Mongkol, where participants can throw coins for blessings and see the Reclining Buddha statue.
Day 3, Wednesday: Participants will begin the morning with a drive to Wat Phra Non Chaksi to meet the local monks for a walking village tour. Participants will prepare a meal for the monks and have breakfast before participating in a meditation class. Following the meditation will be a visit to the giant, sleeping Buddha statue. Lunch will be served back at the accommodation, followed by free time in Singburi. The evening brings dinner at a Thai barbeque restaurant.
Day 4, Thursday: This morning and afternoon will be spent sightseeing temples in Lopburi. You can walk around and enjoy seeing all of the wild monkeys here! Once back at the accommodation, participants will assist with after-school activities for local children. Activities may include providing assistance with homework in English or math. A visit to the mall will take place after dinner, where everyone will have some free time or group activities to choose from.
Day 5, Friday: Participants will start the day with a visit to a local handicrafts workshop which makes jewelry from coconut shells. Following the workshop will be traditional Thai cooking lessons! Participants will be eating their own cooked meals for lunch on this day. After lunch, participants will tour a local farm and get to see rice fields, fish farms and water buffalo roaming about. The day will conclude with a visit to one of Thailand’s most historical sites: the Khai Bang Rachan Memorial Park.
Day 6, Saturday: Departure day or transfer to your next program.
Please note: Itinerary is subject to change.
Location of the Project:
Singburi, Thailand
Project length:
1 week
Arrival Airport:
Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) or Don Mueang Airport (DMK)
Age:
Min age of 18. Age exceptions: Participants aged 16 and 17 may apply with parental consent.
Number of Volunteers:
Up to 20 international volunteers
Important Note:
Combine this Culture Week with select volunteer programs and receive a 50% discount in this Culture Week! Contact us for details.
What's Included
Accommodations:
Shared, single-gender rooms
Food:
Three meals during the week, two meals on weekends
Airport Transfers:
Airport pickup is provided upon arrival
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, lunches on weekends, personal expenses.
Singburi is a beautiful,Thai town located 142 km north of Bangkok. It was founded during the reign of King Rama V through consolidation of three 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.
Internet:
WiFi is available in public areas.
Laundry:
There are laundry facilities offered by local community members for a small fee.
Accommodations:
Volunteers will share rooms in local “eco-houses” near Singburi. Bedrooms will be shared between 2-4 people, single-gender. Bathrooms are private, with fans and mosquito nets available for use in each room. The houses sleep 30-72 people. Rooms are single-gender with two bunk beds. All standard rooms have a western toilet and cold-water showers. You may be able to upgrade to a private room for an additional fee, depending on availability (please inquire upon registration if interested). The houses are walking distance or a very short bike ride to the local villages of Tha Kham or Tha Chang. There, you can find ATMs, pharmacies, doctors, convenience stores and local food markets. These houses are situated about 8-15 km from the town of Singburi depending on which house you are assigned. In Singburi you will find all the amenities you could need i.e. internet, shops, swimming pool, hospital, pharmacy, banks and restaurants.
Food:
During the week, participants will be provided with breakfast, lunch and dinner. On Saturday, volunteers will receive brunch, and then dinner if staying for a volunteer program in Singburi. Typical dishes include vegetables with fried rice or noodles. Some Western-style dishes would also be available. Breakfasts are varied and include pancakes, fresh fruit, toast etc. Tea, coffee and purified water are available at the house. We do not recommend that you drink the tap water.
Please take note of this program's minimum requirements:
- Minimum age of 18 (16/17 with parental consent)
- Good level of English
- Police clearance