Often referred to as the Land of Smiles, Thailand is one of the most culturally vibrant countries in South East Asia. There is so much diversity in such a relatively small country, with remote mountain villages in the north, tropical islands and beaches toward the south, floating markets and the bustling city of Bangkok in the middle.
There is nothing more gratifying and fulfilling than combining your Thailand travels with helping its endangered animals. Sadly, many of the species that are found within Thailand are endangered, which prompted the flux of dedicated international wildlife volunteers in recent years to travel to Thailand to offer a helping hand.
Oceans 2 Earth Volunteers can help you create your authentic international volunteering experience in Thailand. The Thai Wildlife Rehabilitation and Care project offers an exciting opportunity for wildlife volunteers to work in animal conservation, assisting in the rehabilitation of Thai wildlife while immersing yourself in a beautiful culture and location.
Thailand’s biodiversity and its threats
The biological diversity of Thailand is beautifully rich and unique. Sadly Thailand’s biodiversity is under significant threat from the illegal wildlife trade, animal exploitation through the tourism and entertainment industry and by habitat loss or degradation through deforestation and other human-induced pressures. The Thai Wildlife Rehabilitation and Care program has a diverse array of rescued animals in the centre that have been impacted by these threats. With over 600 rescued animals that need your help, you will find that every day will be a rewarding experience. At the centre you can find more than 10 species of primates including gibbons, macaques and orangutans; bears, small wild cats, otters, various civet species, reptiles, birds, and many more threatened or endangered species that need your help.
How you can have a positive contribution to Thailands biodiversity
With the help of international wildlife volunteers like you, the centre aims to rehabilitate and release as many rescued animals back in to the wild to repopulate forest areas of Thailand back to its original health. Full recovery is not possible for many animals, instead they stay at the centre in the best possible care with passionate animal wildlife volunteers. Oceans 2 Earth Volunteers needs you to apply now to assist in caring and rehabilitating the animals currently at the centre by feeding, providing stimulation through behavioural and environmental enrichments, planting trees and reforesting, assisting with animal tours for day-visitors and cleaning and maintaining enclosures.
Although volunteers work very closely with the animals, there is a strict hands-off policy. Volunteers do not have any physical interaction with the animals, but this does not mean you can’t create a respectful bond with the animals you work with during your time there. Long-term volunteering opportunities are possible where you can gain additional training to take part in special projects including assisting in the care of baby primates and working with some of the animals in the quarantine area and animal rescue.
Making changes through education
Thailand is striving to become more sustainable, with more importance put on environmental education for young adults and school children. The next generation will lead the way with conservation management as a priority.
The Thai Wildlife Rehabilitation and Care program put a lot of importance on outreach initiatives with local schools, local communities, tourists and the international community. Through education programs facilitated by volunteers, the centre hopes to allow others to understand and be aware of the detrimental practices that the exploitation of wildlife can have. Often tourists inadvertently participate in unethical animal tourism, for example, elephant riding and the use of animals in live shows and as photo props. Through education and the help of volunteers to promote initiatives and create awareness of responsible eco-tourism, locals and tourist will begin to appreciate and protect wild animals in their natural habitats.
Travel with purpose
Any contribution, big or small, has significant positive impacts on the lives of many animals at the centre. Your travels can be extremely fulfilling and rewarding for yourself too when combined into an international volunteering adventure. Thailand is a perfect destination to start this journey of a lifetime as it is home to a diverse and spectacular array of wildlife and offers many ethical and responsible eco-friendly activities to enjoy before, during and after the volunteering experience.
The centre is based on temple ground in central Thailand near to Tha Yang, this is a district within the southern part of Phetchaburi province.
While you stay at the centre, there are scheduled weekly local excursions for days off where you can visit local night markets and smell the many aromas from locally grown produce, go on dinner outings to eat traditional Thai cuisine, visit sacred Buddhist temples, relax on the beach of Cha-Am or Hua Hin (popular coastal tourist destination), make a trip to the pristine National Park to go wild elephant spotting in the evergreen jungle.
Spend the day in Phetchaburi, the capital city of Phetchaburi Province and one of the oldest settlements in Thailand. This is an agricultural area with very few tourists and allows you to see Thailand in its raw and authentic beauty. You should not miss visiting the underground limestone cave Tham Khao Luang, complete with Buddhist statues and monks who will happily provide you with their blessing.
The Thai culture will be sure to surprise, inspire and ignite flames within you. And staying true to its reputation as the Land of Smiles you will have one spanning ear to ear. To start planning this cultural journey, visit our website or write to volunteer@oceans2earth.org with your inquiries about volunteering in Thailand today!
Khàawp khun kha !
Written by Megan Cundy, Marine Conservation Advocate for Oceans 2 Earth Volunteers
