Hill Tribe Support Volunteer Project in Hua Hin - Thailand

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The IVHQ Thailand - Hua Hin volunteer program is based in Hua Hin on the southern coast of Thailand, about three hours drive from Bangkok. It’s a region renowned for its beautiful beaches and 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. Volunteer projects are located ​around the Hua Hin province​ and with the local hill tribes in Thailand’s largest national park. Where you’ll be based will depend on the project that you choose.

Volunteer Thailand - Hua Hin programs start every Monday. Volunteers can choose to volunteer for periods ranging from 1 week to 12 weeks.

If you’re looking to volunteer in Northern Thailand, explore our volunteer program based in Chiang Rai. Our Northern Thailand volunteer opportunity is perfect for volunteers looking to experience a different side of Thailand and support eco volunteer Thailand opportunities such as the Outdoor Volunteer Work project.

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, prior to 3pm.

After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) or Don Mueang Airport (DMK). Your airport pick-up in Bangkok is included in your Program Fee if you arrive on Saturday or prior to 3pm on Sunday.

When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team who will escort you to the airport shuttle terminal where you will catch the 3 hour shuttle to Hua Hin. Once in Hua Hin, our local team will meet you at the shuttle terminal and escort 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 3:45pm on the Sunday before your program start date or you can make your own way to Hua Hin.

Orientation is hosted on the Monday by our local team in Hua Hin and runs for the entire day. Orientation covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Thailand – introduction to Thailand, Thai customs, rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities in Thailand, and an introduction to your project and placement. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socializing.

​A volunteer day is subject to change depending on the time of year that you are volunteering. ​A typical daily schedule​ might be as follows:

8.00 AM Breakfast at the volunteer accommodation

9.00 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. After lunch you will have free time to explore the area, do some shopping or plan for your next day’s volunteer work. If your project calls for it, you may be involved in more afternoon volunteer activities too

6.00 PM Dinner at the volunteer accommodation

Evening 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

Teaching English Volunteers You will be accommodated on-site at our local team’s headquarters in Hua Hin, located in the hilly countryside of Prachuap Khiri Khan province. You can expect to share a room with about three other volunteers of the same gender. The accommodation has shared bathrooms equipped with western toilets and showers. Bedding is provided for each volunteer, but you will need to bring your own towel. Staff do clean the accommodation throughout the week; however, volunteers are required to keep their rooms tidy.

WiFi is available in the volunteer accommodation and can also be accessed from many cafes and restaurants in the area. A local SIM card with data can also be used in unlocked phones.

Private rooms in the accommodation can be arranged upon request for an additional cost, subject to availability. The cost is about US$60-US$90 per week, per room, depending on the room type.

Hill Tribe Support Volunteers You will have the unique opportunity to live within the Karen Hill tribe community, as volunteers on this project are accommodated in a communal living environment located on-site at your placement. You can expect to share a room with about three other volunteers of the same gender. As the placement is in a rural setting, you should expect living conditions to be basic and should be prepared to have cold running water. Mattresses are provided in the form of traditional Thai mattresses which are usually placed on the floor. The accommodation has shared bathrooms equipped with western toilets and cold showers. Basic bedding is provided in the form of a sheet and pillow, but you will need to bring your own towel. Staff do clean the accommodation throughout the week; however, volunteers are required to keep their rooms tidy.

WiFi is not available in the volunteer accommodation for Hill Tribe Support volunteers but a local SIM card with data can be used in unlocked phones.

Hill Tribe Support volunteers have the option to spend their weekend at the Hua Hin accommodation. The local team can help arrange transport between the two sites over the weekend.

You will receive three meals per day during the week and two meals per day on the weekend. All meals served inside 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 based on appealing to the four fundamental taste senses with a balance of the following flavors: sour, sweet, salty, and bitter. 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.

During the weekends, volunteers have spare time and usually just relax or take the opportunity to​ ​explore other parts of Hua Hin and Thailand.

Hua Hin is approximately 3 hours drive from Bangkok making it an awesome base for exploring Thailand. Consider a weekend in Thailand’s capital city and tick off all the must-see spots in Bangkok, including the famous temples, street food culture and weekend markets.

If you want to sit back and relax after volunteering during the week then Hua Hin is the perfect spot to find yourself. Make the most of the beaches that Southern Thailand is famous for, explore the bustling markets of Hua Hin, or beat the heat and explore the nearby hills in Thailand’s largest national park.

It is a great idea to undertake independent research before you go to get an idea of what you may want to see and do once you are in Thailand. We often find that volunteers get together once in-country and organize travel and tours together.

See our Thailand - Hua Hin Travel and Tours page for more volunteer travel options in Thailand - Hua Hin!

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).

Volunteers need to be 18 years or over to participate on this program, unless volunteering with a parent or guardian. If you are under the age of 18, IVHQ offers alternative volunteer opportunities for teens. Visit our High School Volunteer Abroad page to learn more.

All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance and provide a national criminal background check to IVHQ’s local team on arrival in Thailand.

Free Interactive Volunteer Training - All volunteers are encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training, which is available exclusively to registered IVHQ volunteers. The training is designed to build an understanding of important aspects that need to be considered before embarking on an IVHQ program. It helps volunteers to prepare in the right way by providing advice on what it takes to be a safe, responsible and valuable volunteer. Try a sample of the training here.