Questions & Answers

Volunt2Thai is an independent non-profit community project and cultural centre in rural Northeast Thailand (Isan), founded in 2013.

We work with local schools and communities to support children's education, community development and cultural exchange.

Volunt2Thai is a small local project rather than a commercial volunteer company, hotel or resort.

No. Volunt2Thai is an independent local non-profit project and cultural centre.

People participate directly in the activities of the project and local community. We are not a commercial volunteer placement agency and do not operate a work-exchange scheme.

"Volunteer" is widely used internationally when people search for opportunities to support children, education and local communities.

At Volunt2Thai, we generally prefer the terms Project Participant or Cultural Exchange Participant, because participation is about cultural exchange and becoming part of the local community.

Volunt2Thai currently works with around 13 local primary schools and approximately 650 children in the surrounding rural area.

Since 2013, more than 700 project participants from different countries have taken part in Volunt2Thai activities.

Activities depend on the current needs of the schools, community and campus.

• English language activities
• Sports and games
• Arts and crafts
• Music
• Computer and multimedia activities
• Cooking and bread baking
• Gardening and Food Forest activities
• Community and campus projects
• School-holiday Summer School activities

The actual programme can change according to school schedules, local events and the needs of the community.

No. Project participants do not replace Thai teachers.

Participants work alongside the existing school structure. Raimund accompanies participants to the schools, introduces them to teachers and school directors and provides Thai-English interpretation where needed.

No previous teaching qualification is required for general participation.

Kindness, patience, reliability and a positive attitude are more important. TEFL, TESOL, CELTA or other teaching experience can be useful but is not required for every activity.

Volunt2Thai welcomes people from different countries and backgrounds, including students, graduates, teachers, families, retirees and people taking a career or travel break.

Participation depends on age, individual circumstances, available activities and the requirements of the programme.

Participants should be open-minded, respectful, patient and willing to adapt to rural Thai community life.

You should also be comfortable working with children and following the instructions of local schools and the Volunt2Thai project.

Yes. Thai language learning is an important part of the cultural exchange experience at Volunt2Thai.

Participants can learn practical Thai and immediately use what they learn with children, teachers and local people.

Yes. Thai language lessons are offered free of charge to Volunt2Thai project participants.

The lessons are intended to help participants communicate more easily and understand everyday Thai culture and life.

Thai language support is provided by Raimund, who has more than 30 years of experience working with Thai and English in business, technical and interpreting contexts.

The focus is on practical communication, pronunciation, useful language patterns and simple ways to remember Thai vocabulary and structures.

The current standard participation contribution is €139 per week per person, or €556 for four weeks.

Air conditioning is available for an additional €25 per week.

Please contact us for the current conditions for longer stays, special programmes or individual arrangements.

The participation contribution generally includes:

• Accommodation
• Meals
• Drinking water
• Use of project infrastructure
• Agreed project transportation
• Organisational and practical support
• Participation in the Volunt2Thai programme

Project resources also contribute to maintaining and carrying out non-profit activities for children and communities.

No. Volunt2Thai does not operate as a commercial volunteer placement company and does not charge a commercial "volunteer fee".

The contribution covers accommodation, food, infrastructure, agreed project logistics and organisational support during the stay.

Specific child-support activities, materials, equipment and construction projects are primarily financed through donations.

International flights, personal travel, personal insurance, visas and personal expenses are generally not included.

Additional transport or personal arrangements can be discussed separately where available.

Participants stay at the Volunt2Thai campus in the rural community where the project is based.

Accommodation is simple and practical and is part of the community-oriented campus environment.

No. Volunt2Thai is not a hotel, resort or tourist accommodation business.

The campus is the home and working environment of a small local non-profit project and cultural centre.

Participants should therefore expect simple rural living rather than hotel-style service.

The campus includes accommodation, community and outdoor areas and facilities used for project activities.

• Wi-Fi
• Community kitchen
• Clubhouse and Language Café
• Computer and multimedia room
• Gym and outdoor exercise area
• Muay Thai / Thai Boxing Gym
• Tree House Terrace
• Bread Baking Workshop
• Food Forest and garden areas

Volunt2Thai is located in a very rural area of Northeast Thailand. The experience is focused on everyday Thai village life rather than tourism.

There are no hotels, tourist attractions or large numbers of visitors in the immediate area. Participants live and work close to the local community and schools.

Wi-Fi is available at the campus.

Mobile coverage is also available, although connection quality can vary depending on the network and location.

Participants who depend on a stable internet connection for work should consider having their own mobile data option as a backup.

A personal laptop is recommended if you need a computer for study, university work, remote work or personal use.

The campus also has computer and multimedia facilities that can be used for project-related activities.

Thailand uses the Thai Baht (THB).

Because Volunt2Thai is located in a rural area, participants should plan their cash requirements in advance. There is no ATM directly on the campus.

Volunt2Thai is located in Ban Nong Phong, Tambon Ban Lao, Amphoe Phen, Udon Thani Province, Northeast Thailand (Isan).

The project is situated in a rural community approximately 24 km from larger local infrastructure.

Most international participants travel via Udon Thani.

Volunt2Thai can arrange pickup from Udon Thani Airport, bus station or train station where agreed in advance.

The current standard airport/bus/train pickup contribution is 1,000 THB for fuel.

The journey from Udon Thani to the campus takes approximately 1.5 hours, depending on traffic and the starting point.

Participants can make their own personal travel plans during their stay, subject to their individual circumstances, schedule and applicable Thai entry and residence requirements.

Volunt2Thai is located in a rural area, so participants should plan personal travel and transport in advance.

Participants are generally in Thailand as tourists and participate in Volunt2Thai programme activities.

Each participant is solely responsible for obtaining and maintaining any visa, entry permission, residence permission, work permit or other authorisation required for their individual circumstances and activities.

Participants should obtain current information from the relevant Thai authorities before travelling.

Participants should arrange suitable travel and health insurance for their own circumstances before travelling to Thailand.

Insurance requirements and coverage depend on the individual participant and their insurance provider.

Yes. University students are welcome to participate.

Volunt2Thai can be suitable for students looking for practical experience in education, community development, cultural exchange, social projects or related fields.

Internship arrangements can be discussed depending on the student's university, field of study, required activities and available project opportunities.

Students should contact Volunt2Thai in advance with the requirements of their university or educational institution.

Families can be considered for participation depending on the children's ages, accommodation availability and the planned activities.

Family participation is particularly focused on cultural exchange, community activities and positive interaction with local children and families.

There is no single ideal length of stay.

Short stays can provide an introduction to Volunt2Thai and rural Thai life. Longer stays allow participants more time to become familiar with the schools, community and language.

Longer stays can also provide more opportunity to develop practical Thai language skills.

The safety, dignity and rights of children and vulnerable people are a central priority of Volunt2Thai.

Participants are expected to follow the Volunt2Thai Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy and all instructions provided by schools and the project.

The protection policy applies to participants and activities carried out as part of the Volunt2Thai programme.

Participants are expected to behave respectfully towards children, teachers, families, local people and other participants.

• Respect local culture and community life.
• Follow school and project instructions.
• Protect children's privacy and dignity.
• Follow the child protection policy.
• Be reliable and punctual for agreed activities.
• Use project facilities responsibly.

Start by completing the Volunt2Thai application form.

You can find the application page here:

Apply to participate at Volunt2Thai

Please provide your preferred dates, interests and relevant background so that we can understand how you would like to participate.

After receiving your application, we review the information and contact you to discuss your dates, interests, accommodation and practical arrangements.

The programme is organised personally rather than through an automated commercial placement system.

Requirements depend on the type and length of participation.

Participants should have a valid passport and the documents required for their individual travel and immigration circumstances.

University students or internship participants may also need documents from their educational institution.

No. Previous volunteer experience is not required.

What matters most is your attitude, reliability, willingness to learn and respect for the local community and children.

If your question is not answered here, please contact Volunt2Thai directly.

Email: info@volunt2thai.com

We are happy to discuss your planned stay, interests, accommodation, school activities and practical questions.