Canada supplies a small slice of the international tourist trade in Thailand, accounting for roughly one out of every hundred tourists in the kingdom. However, those Canadians who venture out here include some of the most conscientious and committed volunteers on the scene.
At Friends for Asia, we’ve been impressed by the quality of work carried out by Canadians in Thailand, particularly when it comes to improving the lives of children born with HIV. With this in mind, we’re anxious to connect with Canadians who are interested in volunteering in Asia.
Canadians Making a Difference in Thailand
Friends for Asia operates a range of programs for volunteers in Thailand. Canadians who apply through FFA can take up placements in temples, in our Teaching Monks Project, or hospitals, in our Medical Intern Project, in Chiang Mai, or they head out to rural tracts of the north to work with hill tribe children, single mothers in crisis or even elephants. There is literally something here for everyone.
We’re especially enthusiastic about FFA’s HIV orphanage project. It’s headed up by a team of Canadians who have spent decades in Thailand working with children who were born into some of the most unfortunate circumstances imaginable. Given the scope of work being carried out here and the connection to home, it’s easy to understand why volunteers from Canada take a keen interest in this project.
An Ideal Fit for Canadian Volunteers in Thailand
At Friends for Asia, we go out of our way to foster a friendly, international environment. In the course of your project, you’ll find yourself working with likeminded people from all over the world. All the while, you’ll benefit from the strong support structure provided by our volunteer coordinators.
We’ve been fortunate to attract such a friendly and competent volunteer coordinators at FFA. Most volunteer organizations in Northern Thailand are content to hire strong English speakers, but don’t invest much energy in going any deeper. However, our volunteer coordinators have substantial international experience. One spent years living in North America, where she managed a team of employees. Another recently retired from Habitat for Humanity, where he developed an acute understanding of the international volunteer front.
As a Canadian volunteering through Friends for Asia, you’ll be well taken care of by coordinators with an intimate understanding of your own cultural background. This smoothes the transition to your project site and ensures that you’ll have someone on hand to make sure you’re able to maximize your effectiveness while you’re on assignment.
Summer Volunteering
Consider volunteering during the summer months. This is a good time to take some time off as well as give time to those in need. We offer flexible volunteering from 2 weeks to 2 months or more.
Mix and match a few different volunteer projects or dedicate your time to one project. Our professional staff are there to help and support you throughout the volunteer experience.
Volunteer Stories
Alex Jacobson, California, USA - Teaching Monks and Caregiving at Single Mother's Home, March, 2009“The Land of Smiles” is the perfect phrase coined for Thailand. Love radiates from this country through the smiles and warm greetings from the local people. Whether it was during my trip in Pai, the Friends for Asia home, or at either of my volunteer projects, I feel that I made many unexpected friendships!
James Kneafsey, Dublin, Ireland - Elephant Camp March, 2009
"It was a joy working at the Elephant Camp: waking up to elephants passing by my balcony in the morning, swimming with the elephants, eating like a king, pitching in with the work, building relationships with the staff and having a well earned beer at the roadside bar in the evening."
Anke Anemaet – Lelystad, The Netherlands – Teaching Monks July, 2010
“ENJOY YOUR STAY HERE! You will be sad to leave, as I am now. It’s hard to explain to the boys that you won’t be coming back next week and you have to go home. They have all been such lovely students. Each one of them has their own personality and you’ll love them all. Take pictures so that you can remember them forever. They have become so important to me, which is unexplainable. I will truly miss them a lot. ”
Read more Volunteer Stories
Twitter Updates
- "Did you ever think Thai food could taste like this?" In Chiang Mai, a Chef Traces His Menus http://t.co/oI2Hrcqt 2011-11-05
- Bangkok International Airport (BKK) operating normally http://t.co/FXVAqqhb 2011-10-31
- @jeffmcneill Thanks for the mention! 2011-07-20
- More updates...

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