Volunteering in Chiang Mai

great post. Chiang mai definitely offers a number of opportunities for the voluntourist and it is a great place to set up shop for a while.

> Chiang Mai is Thailand’s second largest city

Chiang Mai has the second largest metropolitan area, but several cities can claim a higher population. Hat Yai, Nonthaburi, Chon Buri, Samut Prakan, Udon Thani and Nakhon Ratchasima.

Good stuff! Elephant nature Park has been highly recommended to me by past volunteers and Friends for Asia has a wonderfully helpful staff. I’d also suggest Care for Dogs. Their informal program is free. Often you can hang out and socialize with dogs, give baths, help around the shelter, but I’ve also made the rounds to temples whose dogs are under CFD’s care, gone on Vet runs, rescues… It really is an amazingly educational experience. They have a website for info at” CareForDogs.org

does anyone know of any other free programs or inexpensive ones. Particularly in the medical/health field?

thanks for any info!!

@andrew – Thank you for your feedback, I appreciate it Glad you enjoyed the article.

@Nola Lee Kelsey – Thank you. I agree there are some other great organisations around Chiang Mai, including carefordogs. Thanks for supplying further info.

@Julia – I can supply you with more information regarding volunteer options if you’d like to contact my personally

[...] the right organization and the right cause can be an overwhelming process. Jantra Jacobs’ Volunteering in Chiang Mai lists several organizations with opportunities ranging from gardening duties, working with [...]

Hi! I also have a similar question such as Julia, I am interested in some volunteer projects in Thailand (Vietnam and Cambodia are also potential countries where I would like to work in).I would like to work on women empowement issues or education. Could you maybe recommend some organization?

Thanks in advance,
Bye!;)

[...] the right organization and the right cause can be an overwhelming process. Jantra Jacobs’ Volunteering in Chiang Mai lists several organizations with opportunities ranging from gardening duties, working with [...]

[...] no longer seeing the country as something to be explored and studied. I had grown tired. Even after volunteering in Thailand, I had no strong desire to return. That is, until, I came back from New Zealand in the summer of [...]

Though I was glad to see this post about Chiang Mai, highly disappointed by the use of picture of the Padaung ladies (one of the controversial tourist attractions)  for this particular post. 

Elephant Nature Park is a definitely a good organization to be involved with.   

I’d like to point out though that paying 240euros a month to teach English in Chinag Mai, Thailand seems outrageous to me.  It pains me to read this because since moving here to Chiang Mai in July 2010, I  have coordinated and set-up volunteers where the non-profit organizations pay the volunteers a small stipend for committing 3 months or longer.  I have also coordinated for a NGO that cannot pay. 

Volunteers willing to teach English in Chiang Mai is a real need and we don’t have nearly enough volunteers for this need.  The organizations I work with constantly struggle with searching for volunteers all year round. 

If anyone is interested in doing this type of volunteer work, I suggest not approaching an organization where you have to pay them to volunteer.   That’s insane.  Contact me and I’ll do my best  to help as I do now for other volunteers. 

Elephant Nature Park is a definitely a good organization to be involved with.   

I’d like to point out though that paying 240euros a month to teach English in Chinag Mai, Thailand seems outrageous to me.  It pains me to read this because since moving here to Chiang Mai in July 2010, I  have coordinated and set-up volunteers where the non-profit organizations pay the volunteers a small stipend for committing 3 months or longer.  I have also coordinated for a NGO that cannot pay. 

Volunteers willing to teach English in Chiang Mai is a real need and we don’t have nearly enough volunteers for this need.  The organizations I work with constantly struggle with searching for volunteers all year round. 

If anyone is interested in doing this type of volunteer work, I suggest not approaching an organization where you have to pay them to volunteer.   That’s insane.  Contact me and I’ll do my best  to help as I do now for other volunteers. 

Elephant Nature Park is a definitely a good organization to be involved with.   

I’d like to point out though that paying 240euros a month to teach English in Chinag Mai, Thailand seems outrageous to me.  It pains me to read this because since moving here to Chiang Mai in July 2010, I  have coordinated and set-up volunteers where the non-profit organizations pay the volunteers a small stipend for committing 3 months or longer.  I have also coordinated for a NGO that cannot pay. 

Volunteers willing to teach English in Chiang Mai is a real need and we don’t have nearly enough volunteers for this need.  The organizations I work with constantly struggle with searching for volunteers all year round. 

If anyone is interested in doing this type of volunteer work, I suggest not approaching an organization where you have to pay them to volunteer.   That’s insane.  Contact me and I’ll do my best  to help as I do now for other volunteers. 

Elephant Nature Park is a definitely a good organization to be involved with.   

I’d like to point out though that paying 240euros a month to teach English in Chinag Mai, Thailand seems outrageous to me.  It pains me to read this because since moving here to Chiang Mai in July 2010, I  have coordinated and set-up volunteers where the non-profit organizations pay the volunteers a small stipend for committing 3 months or longer.  I have also coordinated for a NGO that cannot pay. 

Volunteers willing to teach English in Chiang Mai is a real need and we don’t have nearly enough volunteers for this need.  The organizations I work with constantly struggle with searching for volunteers all year round. 

If anyone is interested in doing this type of volunteer work, I suggest not approaching an organization where you have to pay them to volunteer.   That’s insane.  Contact me and I’ll do my best  to help as I do now for other volunteers. 

Hi Avril,

My girlfriend and I have just moved to Chiang Mai from Bangkok, where I took a 120hour TESOL course. Instead of looking for paid work while we’re in Thailand (we’re looking to leave around January) I’d prefer to gain practical teaching experience by volunteering. My girlfriend has a full-time job, so it’s only myself who can help out.

If you know of anywhere that might be interested in a fresh face, please do let me know.

Kind regards,
Ian

Hi Avril, I’m looking for volunteer work in or around Chiang Mai. I am a 27yr old, British male. Please contact me via email for any suitable projects. I would prefer free programs as i am travelling for 4 months and need to stick to a budget.
 
Regards