Overview

Assist in the conservation of Thailand’s natural environment on this all-encompassing expedition AND get career training from Conservation Careers!

Gain a well-rounded insight into Thailand’s environment and communities from our volunteer base in the awe-inspiring coastal region of Phang Nga. As an expedition member, you’ll be assisting with climate and conservation issues that the region faces alongside our local partners. Volunteers will be involved in biodiversity research; turtle conservation, environmental education and more amongst some of the world’s most dramatic and beautiful scenery.

Baby turtle washing

Overview

Travel to the stunning coastal province of Phang Nga, an area that encapsulates the very meaning of “dramatic”, home to incredible islands and an abundance of natural beauty, which you will assist in the conservation of its coastal and marine ecosystems as a hands-on member of an international team.

This expedition will give you a holistic and well-rounded insight into the conservation issues facing the region and the measures our teams are taking to in response. Besides hands-on conservation activities, you will become immersed in the culture through various community initiatives to promote environmental education.

Please note our conservation efforts on this expedition are seasonal so projects will vary throughout the course of the year. During the dry season the programmes core focus is coastal and marine conservation whereas the rainy season projects focus more towards terrestrial conservation.

Highlights include

Experience a unique adventure on this well-rounded expedition; experience living and volunteering in Thailand; your expedition base is perfect for further travel in Asia before or after volunteering; visit “James Bond island”, made famous by the 1974 film “The Man with the Golden Gun; discover an area known for its beauty as you come across coral reefs, turtles and many more natural wonders; develop a well rounded education on sustainable conservation, environmental conservation and community development and teach local children about the beauty of the natural world and the importance of conserving it.

Overlooking the ocean in Thailand

Testimonial

“One of the best things about this project in Thailand is that you do things and see things that you would never see if you were travelling with friends or alone. You are completely immersed in the culture and you experience the real Thailand, as opposed to experiencing the tourist side of things.” – Hannah McMurray (United Kingdom)

Our Award-winning Partner

Conservation Careers has teamed up a family-run organisation with an amazing culture and an awesome team of people across the world who are passionate experts in their chosen field and will make your experience a truly unforgettable one (in a good way).

Their award-winning projects receive over 2000 participants every year, and we’re proud to say that the vast majority of them describe their experience with them as ‘life changing’. Their approval rate from over 20 000 participants since 1997 is over 95%.

A key component of the success of their community development and conservation projects is the participants who join their programs. Opportunities include high impact volunteering from one week and up, internships for those looking for career development opportunities, Challenges that allow a one week adventure all for a good cause and a range of programs for school groups and younger volunteers.

If you register your interest below, you’ll put you in touch with our partner to take the booking and to plan your trip!

To see all our Conservation Careers Internship opportunities, please click here.

Beach in Thailand

Location

Phang Nga province is located on the Andaman Sea and is blessed with an abundance of natural resources, numerous national parks and stunning scenery with a wide range of attractions. Phang Nga is made up of white sandy beaches, tropical islands, amazing limestone rock formations and a rich culture. Our project base gives volunteers the opportunity to be immersed in the local culture with chances to explore local attractions on your project downtime.

Project Life

Throughout the expedition you will be immersed in various areas of conservation, community development and environmental awareness. You will also have time available to further explore the region and get to know your team of fellow international volunteers.

Conservation projects may involve working at two turtle research and conservation centres with animal husbandry and habitat maintenance, biodiversity surveys in nearby National Parks, beach cleans, and tourist management.

Community development and environmental awareness projects may involve environmental education with the general community, local schools, hotels and tour & dive operators, as well as English language teaching to National park rangers and the general community. We have been working in our local province of Phang Nga for several years, providing 1000’s of hours of classroom teaching.

Your immersion in various projects is very much dependent on the needs of our project and our project’s partners, which changes seasonally: from November to March, you may be involved in coastal environment research and tourist education and managment. The rainy season of May to October sees more terrestrial work such as biodiversity surveying in nearby National Parks. Work with turtle research and conservation centres takes place year round, along with beach cleans and community education classes.

Beach in Thailand

Field Conditions & Accommodation Upgrades

Our base is small but comfortable with shared facilities, with enough space for people to relax together or in private. If you would prefer to stay in private accommodation while on this project, this location does offer upgrades. Contact us for more information, or mention to your Country Expert who will be able to assist you.

Project Details

We are working in Phang Nga in order to gain an understanding of the local ecosystem, help with current environmental protection initiatives, and conduct research contributing to future conservation efforts. Our goal is to sustain the long-term conservation of the area and aid in the preservation of the natural environment in conjunction with local communities.

We are working in Phang Nga to preserve and better understand some of the astonishingly beautiful and diverse ecosystems in the area. Our goal is to sustain the long-term conservation of marine and terrestrial systems by using a three-tiered approach:

  • Contribute to scientific understanding through research.
  • Educate and inform local people about conservation issues.
  • Building the capacity and desire of local people to operate sustainably.

Mountainside in Thailand

How this project makes a difference:

Your presence as a volunteer will help to protect some of the world’s most beautiful forests, beaches and coral reef systems. By adopting a holistic conservation approach, we are educating the community on local environmental issues. This means dealing not only with research, but also the social and economic pressures that are leading to the destruction of Southern Thailand’s beautiful forests, rivers, reefs and beaches. Thailand is home to some of the world’s most majestic and captivating wildlife. You have an opportunity to help protect and conserve it.

Free Time

Volunteering with us not only allows you to participate on programs assisting disadvantaged communities or endangered ecosystems but it also offers wonderful opportunities to travel in the local area in your down time or further afield, either before or after your program. Below is some information on trips and travel options in Thailand.

Optional Side Trips

Take advantage of the amazing sites and scenery the Andaman region of Thailand has to offer. There are endless opportunities to visit islands, beaches, parks and caves and many can be done on weekends. While on the ground, we are here to help so make sure to ask our field staff to assist you with planning trips.

Explore the amazing Khao Sok National Park, including the stunning Cheow Larn Lake and 740km² of rainforest and which is home to elephants, leopards, tigers, deer, monkeys, lizards, birds, and the Rafflesia  – the largest flowers in the world, 90cm across with a unique aroma…of rotting flesh! Take a day trip for a quick sample of the park’s delights or stay overnight and discover even more – perhaps in one of the jungle tree houses, or even on a bungalow that floats on the lake. Trek through the jungle, kayak around Cheow Larn lake visiting spectacular limestone caves, swim in idyllic waterfalls or just relax and see what you can spot!

Khao Lak is a very popular tourist spot close by, with beautiful, seemingly endless beaches, so many dining options you’ll be spoilt for choice and hundreds of spas offering massages and treatments at reasonable rates. With a wide range of accommodation options, from luxury resorts to hostels, Khao Lak offers you the chance to spoil yourself for a few days, whether you’re on a budget or looking to splurge a little.

The Similan and Surin Island groups, both under the protection of their Marine National Park status, are home to some of the best diving and snorkelling spots in the region. You can take a day trip, stay on a live aboard boat or even stay overnight on the islands themselves.

Phuket Island, about 90mins south of Khao Lak and renowned for its colourful night life is also a great stop-off for divers and snorkelers, but if you’re not the diving type you can explore Phang Nga Bay by speed-boat or sea kayak, stopping off at James Bond Island, made famous by the 1974 film ‘The Man With the Golden Gun’ before visiting the floating Sea Gypsy village. Phuket is also very popular with surfers, playing host to annual surfing competitions, though there is a great ‘secret spot’ near Khao Lak…if you’re interested our staff will show you the way!

Neighbouring Krabi Province is a treasure trove for intrepid travellers; from the crystal clear Emerald Pond to the epic 1,237-step climb up to the Buddha image and stunning views at the Tiger Temple Cave to the enchanted scenery and pools of Than Bok Khoranee National Park to the shopping and late night bars of Ao Nang to the chilled out beaches of Koh Lanta Island to the parties of Phi Phi, where ‘The Beach’ was filmed – the options are truly endless!

Conservationist in Thailand

Further Travelling Opportunities

Thailand is a country with a whole range of fantastic places that you could visit. If you have the time and budget, you could consider going to see the following; the waterfalls of the picturesque Khao Yai National Park, the mountain town of Chiang Mai, the local tribes of Nam Province, the beaches of Ko Tao and Mu Ko Chang Marine National Park, the golden kingdom of Ayuthaya, the temples and nightlife of Bangkok and many more…

BONUS! Kick-starter online training for Early Career Conservationists (worth £195)

Conservation CareersFeeling lost in your conservation job hunt? Want to work in conservation, but don’t know where to start? Get your career on track with the Kick-starter online training for Early Career Conservationists designed to help you understand the job market, to navigate your career options, and to get hired more quickly.

Whether you’re at university and planning your next steps, a graduate in the job hunt or working in an unrelated job but interested to switch into conservation, this course is designed to help you.

This unique online course has been designed to increase your chances of success, and is being specially organised and run by Conservation Careers.

All you need to do is register your interest in the project below, and if you choose to make a booking we’ll save a place for you on our course when you get back from your placement.

Included in the course is a year’s full-access membership of the Conservation Careers Academy, which includes access to over 8,000 jobs, 1,500 training courses, live training events and many more career-boosting options.

Cost

  • 2 weeks £1,495
  • 4 weeks £1,895
  • 6  weeks £2,295
  • 8 weeks £2,695
  • 10 weeks £3,095
  • 12 weeks £3,495

Reserve your place or ask a question

About Conservation Careers

Conservation Careers has teamed up a family-run organisation with an amazing culture and an awesome team of people across the world who are passionate experts in their chosen field and will make your experience a truly unforgettable one (in a good way).

Their award-winning projects receive over 2000 participants every year, and we’re proud to say that the vast majority of them describe their experience with them as ‘life changing’. Their approval rate from over 20,000 participants since 1997 is over 95%.

A key component of the success of their community development and conservation projects is the participants who join their programs.