International Volunteer Overseas Information about Thailand

International volunteers and interns discover amazing Thailand with its picturesque coastlines, rivers, mountains, rain forests and plains, a country of unique scenic diversity. Thailand was never colonized and has a diverse and ancient culture of its own, blended with Indian, Burmese, Khmer and Chinese ingredients. Thailand, with its variety of nature and culture, has long attracted international travelers and volunteers.

It is a Thailand of paradoxes; busy and modern Bangkok versus remote villages, where time stands still. It is a country where the most popular pursuits are meditation and making Buddhist merits on the one hand and Thai boxing and gambling on the other, where being polite and ‘kraeng jai’ considerate is part of the Thai mind and yet ‘tea money’, corruption is as accepted! Two favorite phrases are "mai pen rai", never mind, and 'jai yen', take it easy. In Thailand, a smile will take you far  At the center of Thailand is Bangkok, KrungThep in Thai, with 21st century skyscrapers and luxury hotels beside 19th century destitute shanty towns and, of course, hundreds of ancient and amazing Buddhist temples. The friendly, smiling Thais are proud of their culture and central to Thai life is "sanook" (fun). Everything, work included, should be fun and relations are more important than results, friendships more important than being on time!

Thailand is a large country, in the heart of Southeast Asia, sharing borders with Burma, Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia. There is the mountainous North, the fertile Central Plains, the infertile and dry plateau of the Northeast, Isan, and the rain forest and fruit plantations of the peninsula in the South. Thailand has a tropical climate with three distinct seasons: hot, rainy and so called cool. Thailand has a population of about 65 million. Ethnic Thais form the majority, alongside with the poor Isan people (ethnic Lao, about 25 millions), Mong, Khmer, Burmese, Malay, Indian and Chinese, a true diversity nation.

The national religion of Thailand is conservative Theravada Buddhism, more or less practiced by about 90 percent of the Thais, less so in the cities and more so in the countryside. The remainder of the population adheres to Muslim, some Christian, but Hindu and animism aspects are blended into the Thai Buddhism practiced.

The Thai ancestors came from Southeast China a long time ago, fed up with the constant wars. They founded an independent kingdom in China which thrived until 1250 A.D. Unwilling to be incorporated into Chinese society, waves of migrations headed southward into what is now Thailand and Laos. Thai kings and their advisors managed to steer Thailand free of Western colonization. Rama V, King Chulalongkorn, one of the ‘great’ kings, brought about the modern reforms that took Thailand into the 20th century. In 1932, a coup brought about a change from absolute to constitutional monarchy.

Since then Thailand has slowly moved towards some resemblance to democracy but suffers regular set backs, military coups, populist politicians and confrontation between these and other influential groups in Thailand; traditionalists, urban middle classes and the left behind poor in the countryside. King Bhumipol (Rama IX), is the present and much respected monarch.

Most nationalities do not require a visa for a stay of up to 30 days. Longer visits require a special visa obtainable from Thai embassies and consulates. Ask Openmind Projects which visa is best for you or check with the Thai embassy in your country.

Travel to Thailand
Most overseas visitors arrive at Bangkok's International Airport, with daily flights to and from Europe, North America, Asia and Australia. Regular rail services link Singapore and Bangkok. Road entry to Thailand is restricted to three crossings on the Thai-Malaysian border, and the Friendship Bridge in NongKhai over the Mekong River, between Thailand and Laos.

Several airlines, including some low-cost carriers have daily flights linking most major towns with Bangkok. There are cheap rail connections within Thailand. Private and public bus services are operated from Bangkok to towns throughout the country.

Banks are open Monday through Friday, except holidays, between 10.00 AM. and 3.30 PM. ATM, cash machines are found in most towns.

About 50 Baht equals one Euro. 35 baht one USD. Check http://www.xe.com/ucc or http://finance.google.com/finance/converter for current rates.

Light cotton is most convenient. Sweaters are needed during the cool season in the North and Northeast. Sleeveless shirts and shorts are not typically worn by Thais. Long pants must be worn in temples. Sandals and flip-flops are common footwear. Formal dress code is important at work.

Thailand operates on 220 volt. You can purchase converters and adapters in Thailand. Check your electronic equipment to see if a converter is needed.

In Thailand towns, phones and Internet are standard, but many villages still lack telephone services. Mobile phones are increasingly popular and SIM cards with a Thai mobile number that work with your mobile can be bought in many shops. Many US cell phones do however not work in which case we advice to purchase a cheap Thai cell phone for only 1000 baht, 20 Euros, 35 USD.