Feel Good Travel: Top Charities in Thailand
With a country as stunning as Thailand, it’s easy to forget that there are troubles lurking beneath its beautiful surface. The beaches, the sunshine and the scenery are all intoxicating but it’s also nice to give something back on your trip here, and there are some great charities which could really do with your support. Here’s a run-down of some of the top charities in the Land of Smiles.
Helping Children
Kenan Foundation Asia works with the Thai education system to inspire students, develop skilled teachers, and grow strong school leaders. Kenan’s goal is to ensure that every student receives a 21st century education and is prepared for the careers of tomorrow. A donation of just 400 Baht ($13) contributes towards a disadvantaged student attending one of their Innovative Camps, where they will go on an action-packed learning adventure as they participate in a series of fun, hands-on activities from the world of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
The Rajvithi Home for Girls in the Pathumwan area of Bangkok is an orphanage providing residential care for orphaned and abandoned children. These kids would otherwise be at risk of ending up on the streets or being exploited, but instead they receive a good education, safe accommodation and a caring atmosphere. Donations of food and educational materials are welcome, or contact them to ask about helping with teaching on-site.
Rajvithi Home for Girls, 255 Ratchavithi Road, Bangkok
Kru Ban Nok in Chiang Rai also helps children, but based in the hill-tribe villages of the north rather than in the city. Volunteers travel to the villages to help teach both academic lessons and life skills, and the project takes volunteers for four-day trips to remote villages to live alongside the families in need of help. If you don’t want to help teach then you can plant trees instead; really just another pair of hands is a big help. The placements cost 1,000 baht ($32) a day to cover costs.
106 Moo 1, Baan Huey Khom, Muang, Chiang Rai
Helping Communities and the Environment
Habitat for Humanity Thailand is a charity working against homelessness by organizing trips for volunteers to build new houses, or renovating existing buildings to make them fit for habitation. You don’t have to be a construction expert but you have to be OK with a bit of hard work! It costs 750 baht a day ($24) to join a project.
12/F, 253 Building, 253 Sukhumvit Road Soi 21, Bangkok
The Rabbit in the Moon Foundation takes a different approach to charity work, with donations of skills rather than money requested from supports. They aim to raise awareness of environmental issues among young people through a combination of music, art, design and photography, so expertise or enthusiasm about any or all of those are welcomed! Even if you think your particular skillset is a bit niche, still get in touch as they love to build educational programs around unusual topics.
103/62 Sukpalerk Village, Ladprao Soi 26, Chompol, Jatujuk
Helping Animals
We’ve given a shout-out to the Phuket Gibbon Rehabilitation Project in one of our previous blogs, and it’s well worth giving them a mention here again too. Gibbons are nature’s comedians, ridiculously cute with a mischievous character but endangered and under threat worldwide. The Rehabilitation Project aims to release their charges back into the wild, but you can visit them while they’re getting ready for release and enjoy the sight of them swinging through the trees at an unbelievable speed. Volunteering is a possibility here if you’re willing to stop for a few weeks and get trained up, otherwise is makes a great day trip from our Bodega Phuket resort.
Gibbon Rehabilitation Project, Bang Pae Waterfall, Phuket
Our last pick is Soi Dog Project Phuket. Set up in 2003 to look after homeless and sick dogs, this is a charity that does real hands-on work and is a great place to visit if you want to feel like you’re really giving something back. Their sterilization program has helped to reduce the problem of starving and malnourished stray dogs, and their rehoming campaign is incredibly successful at finding these friendly pooches new homes. Visit for an hour for a brief overview, a day for the chance to pet a couple of pooches and a few days to get stuck in with grooming, walking and cuddling duties.
Soi Dog Foundation, 167/9 Moo 4 Soi Mai Khao 10, Tambon Mai Khao, Amphur Thaland, Phuket 83110
It feels good to give back!
It feels great giving a little something back to the country while you’re here, and an incredible country like Thailand deserves a helping hand. These are just a few of the top charities doing great work so check out what’s in your local area to find out how you can help.
