All the staff and volunteers were incredibly welcoming and was a melting pot of so many countries. Everyone makes an effort to get to know each other. The locals were friendly and helpful which makes it very comforting when exploring.
Environmental Conservation 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
Want to help protect the planet as an Environmental volunteer in Thailand - Hua Hin? Roll up your sleeves and work alongside the local community on important conservation initiatives. You’ll have the opportunity to volunteer at national parks in the Hua Hin area and help with day-to-day tasks and activities, such as tree planting. You’ll also have the chance to help prepare the next generation to look after the planet by spreading awareness on environmental conservation and educating students at a local school.
What to expect and how you'll make an impact
As an Environmental volunteer in Thailand - Hua Hin, your volunteer program will start with a visit to a local Mangrove Ecosystem Learning Centre where you will take part in many discussions regarding Thailand’s deep environmental issues and how to raise awareness of them.
Volunteer at a mangrove nursery - 2 days a week
As part of your program, you will work at a local mangrove nursery for 2 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the afternoon for two days a week. This placement is the main nursery that produces young mangrove plants for the local community. Your responsibilities here may involve:
- Preparing the seed and soil
- Watering the plants
- Nursing the plants
- Planting mangroves
A local coordinator will be there to provide knowledge and show participants, step by step, how to collect and sort mangrove pods and how to plant and nurse mangroves.
Other hands-on environmental volunteering can include: cleaning up beaches or local communities, creating garbage bins, and washing and sorting garbage. These activities all help improve the sustainability of the community.
Environmental education - 3 days a week
You will also be heavily engaged in the learning aspect of researching, planning and educating the local community members and children with regards to the importance of sustainable environmental practices.
In order to create awareness and encourage environmental conservation among local people and students, you will be presenting their lectures and training sessions on practical topics such as recycling in the home, reducing one’s carbon footprint, how to separate waste properly, and broader topics like the effects of climate change and the need for environmental concern. An English-speaking coordinator will be there to support and help you out with any language barriers.
Why do Environmental Conservation volunteering in Hua Hin with IVHQ?
When you volunteer on the Environmental Conservation in Hua Hin you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
- Helping teach children how to live sustainably
- Cleaning up the local environment
- Developing your communication skills
- Gaining teaching and conservation experience
- Immersing yourself in Thai culture
- Discovering Thailand’s rich history
Volunteer requirements
- Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate in this program
- Volunteers aged 16-18 are required to provide IVHQ with parental consent in order to participate on the program, and may be asked to provide additional documentation to the local team
- 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
- 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.
Thailand photo gallery
What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience
Connection with locals and other volunteers, unforgettable experiences of environment and culture. A wonderful and safe way to travel.
I met people from all over the world, which helped me broaden my connections and make lasting friendships. I also learned how to plant mangroves and teach children, both of which presented their own challenges. Additionally, I had the chance to travel through this beautiful country.
I would highly recommend this program to anyone unsure of how to spend their summer. During my four-week stay, I was never bored, and everyone I met truly loved the program.
Being older (double as old or older than all other participants) I wasn’t sure I’d fit in, but I was welcomed with open arms and it was an amazing, new way to explore a new country, its culture and to meet locals! It was good to see that the program was focused on making a difference to the future of the locals and many generations to come!
I would say absolutely go for it. You will meet people from all over the world and make friends with people for life. It is scary to go but just know everyone is feeling the same emotions and you will soon form very close friendships with people who have similar interests.
There is always something to learn if you are open-minded. The three weeks I had in Hua Hin were amazing. I appreciate Thai culture, I enjoy various foods, especially the mango sticky rice and Pad Thai. In addition, I learned a lot about mangrove and their importance in marine and overall environmental protection.
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 creditLocation
Location
Hua Hin is a city on the southern coast of Thailand, a three-hour drive from Bangkok. It’s a region renowned for its beautiful beaches and interesting history, making it an incredible destination to explore and truly get to know as a volunteer. Hua Hin is where orientation and general administration are carried out by our local team.
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 be staying in one of two volunteer houses in Hua Hin, nestled in the picturesque hills of Prachuap Khiri Khan province.
Expect to share a room with about eight other volunteers of the same gender. Both houses have shared bathrooms with western toilets and showers. While bedding is provided, you will need to bring your own towel. Each bedroom is air-conditioned. Although staff clean the accommodations throughout the week, volunteers are expected to keep their rooms tidy.
WiFi is available at the volunteer houses and can also be accessed from many local cafes and restaurants. You can also use a local SIM card with data in unlocked phones.
Private rooms within the volunteer house or private hotel rooms can be arranged upon request for an additional cost, subject to availability. The hotel is approximately a 10-minute drive from the volunteer house.
Both standard and private accommodations have swimming pools, so don’t forget to bring your swimwear!
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.
If you have any special dietary requirements, please let us know when you apply for the program so we can make arrangements for you. While we do our best to accommodate volunteer needs, most meals provided are local cuisine and you may wish to supplement the menu with your own foods and snacks which can be purchased from convenience stores nearby if required.
Pricing
Spots are limited. For a Registration Fee of just US$299 (approximately AU$490) 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 |
2 weeks | $560 Equivalent to $40/day |
3 weeks | $750 Equivalent to $36/day |
4 weeks | $920 Equivalent to $33/day |
5 weeks | $1,090 Equivalent to $31/day |
6 weeks | $1,260 Equivalent to $30/day |
8 weeks | $1,600 Equivalent to $29/day |
10 weeks | $1,940 Equivalent to $28/day |
12 weeks | $2,280 Equivalent to $27/day |
- All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$299 (approximately AU$490) 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
- Personalised 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).