Thailand A Philosophy For Travelers

Stir-Fry the meanest pad thai in Siam .
Hike through a rainforest on a wildlife rescue mission .
Voyage through Isaan and teach English at a village school .

Sure, hostel-hopping and sightseeing can be great fun, but connecting with a foreign country through studying, volunteering, or working can extend your travels beyond the tourist traps. We don’t like to brag, but this is what’s different about a Let’s Go traveler. Instead of feeling like a stranger in a strange land, you can understand Thailand like a local. Instead of being that tourist asking for directions, you can be the one who gives them (and correctly!). All the while, you get the satisfaction of leaving Thailand in better shape than you found it. It’s not wishful thinking—it’s Beyond Tourism.

As a volunteer in Thailand, you can help out doing everything from rescuing sea turtles in Ranong to building homes in Nakhon Ratchasima. This guide is chock-full of ideas to get involved, whether you’re looking to pitch in for a day or run away from home for a whole new life in Thai activism.

Thailand is also a great place to study abroad. Not only is the experience incredibly valuable, but English courses are a well-established part of Thai education, and more Western students are currently enrolling in Thailand than ever before.

Working abroad immerses you in a new culture and can bring some of the most meaningful relationships and experiences of your life. Yes, we know you’re on vacation, but these aren’t your normal desk jobs. However, those considering working in developing countries should remember that employment is already scarce for locals, and Let’s Go encourages you to take work only where your particular knowledge, whether that be English or some other skill, will aid development rather than hinder it.

Share Your Experience. Have you had a particularly enjoyable volunteer, study, or work experience that you’d like to share with other travelers? Post it to our website, www.letsgo.com!