IVHQ Thailand Information Booklet

IVHQ THAILAND
VOLUNTEER
INFORMAT IO N B O O K L E T
Sawadee kaa!
This booklet has been compiled to help you prepare for your imminent volunteer
program with International Volunteer HQ in Thailand.
It is difficult to describe what it is like to experience volunteer travel in Thailand
volunteering with likeminded individuals from around the world in the midst of
fascinating landscapes, warm-hearted locals and customs and traditions dating
back centuries.
This booklet provides you with general information about what to expect in
Thailand, local customs, safety tips, your volunteer program, your arrival, what to
bring and other essential information.
Just remember, if there is anything you want to know that is not answered in this
booklet, or on our website, feel free to contact us at any time.
Get ready for one of the most amazing experiences of your life!
Kop koon
Daniel Radcliffe
Executive Director
International Volunteer HQ
+64 6 758 7949
daniel@volunteerhq.org
www.volunteerhq.org
PAGE 2
THAILAND INFORMATION BOOKLET
CONTENTS
05
THE INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER HQ TEAM
13
THAILAND COUNTRY INFORMATION
05
CONTACTS
13
LOCATION AND SIZE
06
HISTORY OF INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER HQ
13
CHIANG RAI
13
CLIMATE
07
WHAT NOW?
14
HISTORY AND DEMOGRAPHICS
07
14
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
VOLUNTEER CHECKLIST
08
15
THAILAND TRAVEL INFORMATION
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
08
15
VISA
LOCATION OF PROGRAM AND PLACEMENTS
08
15
THAI EMBASSIES ABROAD
START AND DURATION OF PROGRAMS
08
15
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS
08
15
GETTING THERE AND AWAY
ACCOMMODATION
08
16
TRANSPORT
MEALS
16
DEPARTURE TAX
09
PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS
17
MONEY
09
TEACHING ENGLISH
17
GENERAL HEALTH AND VACCINATIONS
09
OUTDOOR WORK
17
COMMUNICATION
09
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
18
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS
10
WHAT ARE THE SPECIFICS OF MY PLACEMENT?
18
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR VOLUNTEERS
18
THAILAND WALL PLUGS AND ADAPTERS
11
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
18
CLOTHING AND CULTURE
11
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
19
LAUNDRY
11
ARRIVING BY FLIGHT
19
SHOPPING
11
ARRIVING OVERLAND
19
WHATS HAPPENING IN THAILAND?
11
POST PICKUP
19
CULTURE AND CUSTOMS
12
VOLUNTEER WEEK
WHAT TO PACK
12
20
VOLUNTEER DAY
12
VOLUNTEER WEEKENDS
20
PERSONAL BELONGINGS
20
VOLUNTEER SUPPLIES
21
PROGRAM FEE PAYMENT
21
PROGRAM FEE PAYMENT VIA IVHQ
21
FUNDRAISING
21
GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
PAGE 3
CONTENTS
23
VOLUNTEERING ABROAD
30
IVHQ SOCIAL NETWORK
23
WHY VOLUNTEER?
30
SOCIAL MEDIA
GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR VOLUNTEER
30
VOLUNTEER OVERSEAS BLOG
30
VOLUNTEER DIARIES
23
EXPERIENCE
23
WILL I MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
24
WHERE DO MY FEES GO?
24
REGISTRATION FEE
31
EXTRA LEARNING
24
PROGRAM FEE
31
PLACEMENT ACTIVITY IDEAS
25
RESPONSIBLE VOLUNTEER TRAVEL
31
WEBSITES ABOUT THAILAND
31
SMARTPHONE APPS ABOUT THAILAND
25
IVHQ RESPONSIBLE VOLUNTEER TRAVEL POLICY
31
BOOKS ABOUT THAILAND
26
CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK
31
MOVIES ABOUT THAILAND
26
CHILD PROTECTION POLICY
26
CARBON OFFSETTING
32
LEARNING THAI
26
IVHQ FUND
32
BASIC WORDS AND PHRASES
27
VOLUNTEER SAFETY
33
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
28
SECURITY
28
SECURITY WARNINGS
28
RESPONSIBLE DRINKING
28
DRUG USE
28
TRAVEL INSURANCE
29
MIRROR FOUNDATION GUIDES AND RULES
29
VOLUNTEER ACCOMMODATION AND OFFICE
29
DRUGS
29
ALCOHOL, SMOKING AND GAMBLING
30
SEX AND RELATIONS
PAGE 4
30
NEWSPAPER ARTICLE - GET RECOGNIZED FOR YOUR

WORK
THE IVHQ THAILAND TEAM

Congratulations on making the decision to volunteer abroad with International Volunteer HQ!
We are excited to have you joining us and our local team is looking forward to hosting you in Thailand.
Contacts
The Mirror Foundation
The IVHQ Thailand Program Manager is Margarete Lua

Margarete will be your first point of contact before you arrive
in Thailand and will answer any questions you may have.
Margarete is well qualified to help you prepare for your trip,
so feel free to contact her with your queries. Once you arrive
in Thailand, Thellie and The Mirror Foundation staff will be
your first point of support and IVHQ become secondary.
IVHQs partner organization in Thailand is Mirror Foundation.

Mirror Foundation is a local organization based in Chiang Rai.
The Mirror Foundation Volunteer Coordinator in Thailand
is Thellie. Thellie will email you in the coming weeks to
introduce himself and The Mirror Foundation.
Margarete Lua
IVHQ Thailand Program Manager

+64 6 758 7949
margarete@volunteerhq.org
PO Box 8273
New Plymouth
NEW ZEALAND
Thellie
Thailand Volunteer Coordinator

+66 5 373 7616
volunteer@themirrorfoundation.org
106 Moo 1 Baan Huay Khom
T. Mae Yao, A. Muang
Chiang Rai 57100
THAILAND
PKartoon
Alternative Mirror Foundation Contact

+66 872 959737
PAGE 5
HISTORY OF INTERNATIONAL
VOLUNTEER HQ
International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) was launched in July 2007 by Executive
Director, Dan Radcliffe, following a trip abroad backpacking and volunteering
in Africa. With the aim of providing responsible, high quality and affordable
volunteer programs abroad, IVHQ has grown to become the worlds leading
volunteer travel company.
Upon completing a Master of Business degree at the University of Otago in 2006, Dan
Radcliffe was employed by a large New Zealand corporate as a Graduate Financial
Analyst. After 3 days of employment, Dan realized he would never be happy in a
Finance job and quit, heading back to his family farm in Taranaki. Undecided about
what he wanted to do with his life, Dan decided to work on the family farm for 6
months to save some money, before traveling abroad to backpack and volunteer.
After researching the volunteer travel opportunities available with existing online
companies, Dan was surprised at the cost of volunteering abroad and the lack
of affordable options available. Registering with the cheapest and most reliable
company he could find, Dan headed away to volunteer in Kenya in August 2006.
Although he loved the experience of volunteering in Kenya, he was disillusioned
with the large disparity between what he had paid, and the actual cost of the
volunteer trip. While in Nairobi, Dan began meeting with potential local partner
organizations and the seeds of IVHQ were planted.
Returning to New Zealand in early 2007, Dan took out a loan from the bank using
his parents farm as security.With this money, IVHQ was registered, a website was
built and Dan returned to Kenya to formalize a partnership and systems, while also
heading to Nepal, Thailand and Vietnam to screen, select and train local teams.
On July 26 2007, IVHQ was launched online from the Radcliffe family farm in
Taranaki, New Zealand. Based on the concept that volunteer travel should be
responsible, high quality and affordable, IVHQ quickly became the provider of
choice for thousands of people looking to travel and volunteer abroad.
Since launching in 2007, IVHQ has established itself as the worlds premier
volunteer travel company, operating in over 25 countries throughout the world.
We are no longer based on a farm, but we still strive to provide volunteer trips that
are responsible, high quality and affordable. We have provided volunteer abroad
programs for tens of thousands of people from over 100 countries around the
world.
To learn more about the IVHQ approach to responsible volunteer travel, visit The
IVHQ Approach page on our website.
PAGE 6
WHAT NOW?
There is a lot to do as you prepare for your trip and it can be difficult to remember it all so
we have put together a checklist for you to refer to. It is very important that you address each
item on this list. Please click on the addition buttons for more information within this booklet.
Volunteer Checklist
Read this booklet
Purchase travel insurance
This booklet has been developed by the team

at IVHQ to answer our most frequently asked
questions and share everything you need to know
for your upcoming trip.
It is mandatory for all volunteers to purchase travel

insurance when volunteering abroad with IVHQ.
Once your travel insurance is booked, enter these
details on My IVHQ.
Send us your information
Pay your program fees
We have emailed you with a list of information we

require from you at least one month before your
program start date. Please send this information to
your IVHQ Program Manager and we will pass it on
to our partner organization.
At least one month before your program start date,

you need to pay your Program Fee to IVHQ. To pay
your fees securely via PayPal, login to My IVHQ.
Get prepared
Book your flights as soon as possible, as this will

mean you can often secure a cheaper fare. Once
your flights are booked, enter these details on My
IVHQ.
The better prepared you are for this experience, the

more you can relax and enjoy your time in country.
Do some research on Thailand and Chiang Rai; if
you are teaching and have never taught before,
learn some teaching methods; and practice your
Thai, so you can communicate with the locals.
Apply for a visa
Pack appropriately
Although visas can either be acquired on arrival, we

recommend that you get a 30- or 60-day visa before
you arrive in Thailand. This ensures you can stay in
the country for longer before having to renew or
extend. It is up to you which one you apply for, but
there is generally no problem getting your visa on
arrival (more details in this booklet). Remember, as
a volunteer tourist all you require is a tourist visa.
Try not to take too much and use the packing list in
this booklet to guide you. Often volunteers like to
pack donations for the people they are volunteering
with and while we encourage this, we recommend
volunteers purchase these donations in-country.
This means you are not only investing in the
economy of your host country, but also freeing up
your baggage space.
Obtain a criminal background check
Ask any questions
To participate on the IVHQ Thiland program, all

volunteers are required to email a copy of their
national criminal background check (local or state
checks are not sufficient) to our partner organization
prior to the program commencing and must present
the original on arrival. The Mirror Foundation will
not accept volunteers with convictions involving
drugs, violence, theft or sexual offences.
Despite doing our utmost to address all of your

potential questions on our website and in this
booklet, it is inevitable that some volunteers will
have questions. If you do, we ask you to direct these
to your IVHQ Program Manager, rather than our
partner staff in Thailand. Their job is to look after
you when you arrive and we prefer them to focus on
providing in-country support for volunteers, rather
than answering emails from upcoming volunteers.
We will be in contact approximately one month
before you are due to depart, just to make sure
everything is OK and request any extra details from
you if we have not yet received them. If you have
any questions before then, please do not hesitate
to contact your IVHQ Program Manager.
Book your flights
Consult a travel doctor

No vaccinations are legally required to enter
Thailand, however we recommend you consult a
travel doctor at least six weeks before you depart to
discuss our recommended vaccinations.
PAGE 7
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Each and every volunteer brings a different set of skills, knowledge and values to their program, therefore the role you play
in your volunteering placement will largely be decided when you reach the project after collaboration with both The Mirror
Foundation and the placement staff. IVHQ appreciates the time and money you have chosen to invest in this program and we
hope it is as rewarding and satisfying for you, as it will be for the people you will be helping. The placement will not always be
easy. It will challenge and test you, but this is all part of the experience volunteering in a developing country.
While you are volunteering in Thailand, remember that you are a representative for your family, your friends, your country,
IVHQ, and The Mirror Foundation, but most importantly, yourself. You are a guest in Thailand and it is important to keep in mind
that the people, traditions, culture and general way of life may be different from your home country. Do not try to force your
way of life upon the people you will be working and living with, but instead be open minded and embrace the new cultures and
ways of living that you will be exposed to (both the Thai culture and the cultures of your fellow international volunteers). This
will allow you to gain a rich and authentic experience as a volunteer traveler in Thailand.
Location of Program & Placements

The program is based in Chiang Rai, the northernmost
province of Thailand, which is renowned for its beautiful
mountain scenery and historic sites. This is where orientation
and general administration is carried out by our partner
organization. Volunteer projects are located near the
volunteer headquarters and in the hills with the hill tribes.
Start & Duration of Programs

Programs begin on the first and third Monday of each month.
Volunteers can choose to volunteer for periods ranging from
1 week to 12 weeks. There is a minimum duration of 2 weeks
for the Teaching English project.
Volunteer Requirements
Volunteers must be over 18 years of age at the beginning
of Volunteers must be over 18 years of age at the
beginning of the program.
Volunteers must speak fluent English.
Volunteers must present a recent national criminal
background check to IVHQs partner organization staff
before arrival in Chiang Rai.
Volunteers must have adequate travel insurance.
Accommodation
Volunteers are accommodated on-site at our partner
organizations headquarters in Chiang Rai. Volunteers live in
a communal environment with other staff and volunteers in
separate male and female lodgings. Mattresses are provided
in the form of traditional Thai mattresses, which are much
thinner than Western style. While bedding is provided,
volunteers are required to also bring their own sleeping
bag for their homestay experience and weekends away.
Windows and doors are fitted with mosquito screens. The
living conditions are basic and volunteers should be prepared
to have cold running water and bucket showers. Generally
PAGE 8
in the second week, all Outdoor Work volunteers are taken

on a homestay experience, working on a construction (or
similar) project and living with a local family. Teaching English
volunteers usually have a non-working homestay experience
over the first weekend. Both of these are subject to change,
depending on circumstances. Living conditions in the villages
are even more basic and squat toilets and cold bucket
showers are the norm. During the weekends (Sunday to
Monday), volunteers can stay at the headquarters, however
many volunteers choose to travel and return on Monday
evening in time for work on Tuesday.
Meals
Traditional Thai cuisine is based on appealing to the four
fundamental taste senses with a balance of the following
flavors: sour, sweet, salty, and bitter. Common ingredients
in Thai cooking include fish sauce, shrimp paste, chilli paste,
coconut milk and lime juice. Staple foods include rice, rice
noodles, vegetables and herbs. Meals served at the volunteer
accommodation during the weekdays are typically Thai and
local hill tribe cuisine, however Western style food is also
served occasionally. During the weekends (Sunday and
Monday), food is not provided and volunteers purchase
food at local shops and cook for themselves, or eat out in
town. If you have any special dietary requirements, please
let us know when you apply for the program so we can make
arrangements for you. However, we need to stress the point
that you should not expect to eat as you normally do at home.
We will do our best to see that you are well taken care of, but
as a volunteer, there is a need to be flexible.
PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS
Teaching English
Community Development
In northern areas of Thailand, local people have very limited

access to formal education and there is a real need for
volunteers to assist in teaching, not only young children, but
also adults from surrounding hill tribes and local villages.
Volunteers are needed on this project throughout the year
and although local schools are closed for holidays from March
to May and during October, the local team runs school camps
and other activities for local hill tribe children. Volunteers
can work alongside other volunteers and local teachers,
or occasionally teach classes individually. Each volunteer
is required to complete a lesson plan every morning or
afternoon, prior to teaching a class. Volunteers do not need
to be qualified or experienced teachers to participate on this
project. Please note, this project also involves Childcare work
and teaching monks, local people and staff.
This project is only available for groups and must be enquired

about directly with IVHQ (There is no option for this on the
application form). The Community Development project in
Thailand can encompass a wide range of work. While the work
is varied, most tasks are focused on basic construction work
(for example, painting and building of infrastructure such as
roads, bridges and housing - this is also largely dependent on
funds). Volunteer groups that enquire will need to fundraise
extra money above and beyond the IVHQ fees listed on the
website to fund the building projects. This is not generally
a large amount and projects can be designed to fit different
budgets, time frames and group sizes. Group sizes should be
5 people minimum. Email info@volunteerhq.org for more
information.
Outdoor Work
Volunteers who enjoy physical labor and the sense of
achievement felt after completing a job will be well suited to
our Outdoor Work project in Thailand. Previous volunteers
on this project have completed a variety of jobs, including;
Building water tanks

Extending water pipe systems
Building check dams
Building school classrooms
Painting school classrooms
Developing an agricultural project
Assisting with the maintenance of a vegetable garden
Working on developing a plantation
Repairing roads
Repairing the homes of elderly villagers
Building new homes or toilets for elderly villagers
Building a new staff office
Making bricks
Washing dogs
Some work is scheduled and is expected to be carried out on

a regular basis and other jobs will be assigned to volunteers
as they arise. It is important to note that there are three
distinct seasons in Thailand (hot, rainy, cold) and sometimes
outdoor work is not possible. If this is the case, volunteers
can get involved in related work that can be carried out
protected from the elements, such as researching methods of
agricultural production, which can be applied within the local
community, and presenting planned projects to villagers.
PAGE 9
Please note, in addition to the placements listed above, it is

also expected that volunteers will assist with other general
chores and activities such as cleaning. Dependent on the time
of the year and the skills of the volunteers, there may also be
other jobs and activities, volunteers can assist our Thailand
partner organization with such as; website development,
translating Thai into English, assisting local NGOS in their
activities, fund raising and participation in development
projects.
What Are the Specifics of My Placement?

Placing a volunteer in a suitable placement requires our local staff to consider a
number of factors, including:
Project the volunteer has applied for

Skills, interests and qualifications of the volunteer
Demographics of the volunteer
Placements and work currently available for volunteers
Placements in the most need of volunteers
Given these factors, the specific placement where a volunteer works is not finalized
until the volunteer arrives in Thailand and meets with our local staff. Before you
arrive in country, the local staff will draw up a potential placement for you. Once you
arrive, the local staff will discuss this placement with you and assess whether this
is the most suitable placement for you. If at any stage you are unhappy with your
placement, please talk to your Mirror Foundation Volunteer Coordinator, Thellie,
so he can address the issue and if necessary, place you in a different placement or
project.
Please note, IVHQ does not decide the specific placement volunteers will be
working at this is all decided by our in-country program staff. As they are locals
and live in the place where you will be working, they are in the best position to
determine where there is the most need for volunteers and where your assistance
will most effectively be utilized. If you urgently require your placement details, you
are welcome to ask for these, however it is important to note that placements are
often not drawn up until 3 or 4 days before you are due to start your program and
even then this placement can change (if upon meeting our local staff, it is agreed
you will be better utilized somewhere else).
I enjoyed the variety of jobs available and
the fact that we can mix up the classes we

teach, ranging from child care to teaching
monks at the temple in Chiang Rai.
YEN CHU
PAGE 10
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
Arrival & Departure
The Thailand program begins on the first and third Monday of each month and we
ask that you arrive in Chiang Rai for a pickup on your chosen start date.
Accommodation is provided from the Monday night of your start date through to
(and including) the Friday night before your end date. Volunteer work is finished by
5pm on the Saturday of your end date, so we ask that you book departure transport
after this time. If you arrive one or two days earlier, or depart one or two days later
than these dates, you will need to arrange alternative accommodation in Chiang
Rai.
The local staff will provide transport back into Chiang Rai at the end of your program
if you have arranged departing transport after 5pm.
Arriving by Flight
Once you have booked your flights to Chiang Rai, please log in to My IVHQ to enter
your arrival details once you have booked your flights. Alternatively, if you plan to
arrive overland or if you are planning to be in the area prior to your program, you
can enter these details. We can then pass your arrival details on to our local team
to arrange your pick-up. You must also upload your flight details to the online form
sent to you by the Mirror Foundation. It is important to specify your flight number
and airline, so if your flight is delayed, our staff know what time you will be arriving.
Volunteers are only eligible for an airport pick up if arriving on the Monday before
5pm. Morning or early afternoon flights usually arrive on time however, evening
flights are often delayed, sometimes by up to four hours.
If you arrive on the Monday of your start date, you will be met at the Mae Fah
Luang International Airport (CEI) by a staff member from the Mirror Foundation.
The staff member will be standing in the arrivals area with a sign saying The Mirror
Foundation.
If you arrive to the airport earlier than your start date you will need to arrange
accommodation in Chiang Rai and take a taxi to your accommodation from the
airport. You will then need to get to the Central Chiang Rai Bus Station (not the new
bus station, which is 7km out of town) by 11.00 AM on the Monday morning of your
start date for a pick up from the Mirror Foundation staff.
Arriving Overland
If you are traveling in Thailand prior to your program starting and arrive in Chiang
Rai overland, you will need to be ready for a pick up from the Central Chiang Rai
Central Bus Station at 11.00 AM on your chosen start date. Please note, it is very
important that you log in to My IVHQ to enter your arrival details once you have
booked your overland arrival details. You are also required to fill in your arrival
details on the form sent to you from the Mirror Foundation.
I loved how peaceful the village was, and the simplicity and generosity of the
people was truly humbling. I am very grateful for the experience I had in Apa
and I will never forget that time!
PAGE 11
DALILA SHANNON
Volunteer Week One

Monday
Tuesday
Arrival
8.00 AM
Breakfast at the volunteer accommodation..
8.30 AM
Morning meeting for all volunteers
9-11.30 AM
Volunteer work begins. Work and hours are

dependent on the project and placement
that each volunteer is working at. Lunch
breaks vary in time depending on the
working schedule, but all volunteers get an
hour to eat and relax.
5.00 PM
Work at the placement ends. Dinner at the

volunteer accommodation.
Orientation
6.00PM
Volunteers have free time to spend as they

wish, however many volunteers use this
time to plan lessons or do extra work for
their projects. One volunteer is assigned
to be the Entertainment Officer, so there is
always plenty to do in the evenings.
Volunteering
New volunteers join the program properly
and get involved in all appropriate tasks.
Existing volunteers will add the new names
to the list of activities and jobs on the
schedule board.
Thursday &
Beyond
PAGE 12
A typical daily schedulewould be as follows:
Once you are picked up from the Central

bus station or airport in Chiang Rai, you will
be driven to The Mirror Foundation. There
are optional activities for volunteers who
wish to do something on the first day - in
the morning, our handicrafts shop does a
bi-monthly stocktake, and in the afternoon
we teach new volunteers how to cook a
Thai dish (usually dessert of some kind).
Those who are tired do not have to join in.
Also, in the evening, current volunteers put
on a welcome event.
The day is split either side of lunch. One
half will be the volunteer orientation,
and the other will be a workshop to
train the volunteer in the method of
teaching used by The Mirror Foundation
at school and childcare centres, and extracurricular activities. This is only relevant
to Teaching English volunteers. Outdoor
Work volunteers will be given a group task
to help foster the teamwork necessary
to volunteering. In and around the day,
new volunteers will introduce themselves
to everyone at the morning meeting,
meet the other volunteers, meet the staff
directly involved with the programme, take
a tour of the grounds, and settle in to their
dorm.
Wednesday
Volunteer Day
Volunteers get involved in their relevant

programme, and any common tasks
which occur. Some days will be busier
than others on the schedule, but there is
always plenty to do. In the second week of
your programme, volunteers experience a
working homestay in a Hilltribe village
dates, itineraries and locations vary, but
usually Tuesday-Friday with an elephant
ride on Saturday morning.
Volunteer Weekends
As the working week runs from Tuesday to Saturday, Sunday
to Monday is considered the weekend for volunteers on the
Thailand program. During the weekends, volunteers have
spare time and usually just relax or take the opportunity to
explore other parts of Chiang Rai and Thailand. Volunteers
can book weekend treks through our partner organisation
once in country. If volunteers wish to volunteer over the
weekends, they can join local staff to visit local hill tribes, or
learn weaving and Thai massage from local people.
Please note, volunteers working on the Teaching English
project will work exclusively on this project. Volunteers on
the Outdoor Work project will work with the hill tribes on the
second and fourth weeks. All volunteers receive a program
orientation, a sightseeing trip to the White Temple, and a
t-shirt.
THAILAND COUNTRY INFORMATION
square meters with an average elevation of 580 meters above

sea level. The province, which is located within the renowned
Golden Triangle area where Myanmar, Laos and Thailand
converge, is also known as the gateway to Myanmar, Laos and
Southern China.
Location & Size

Thailand is the geographical heart of South-East Asia.
The infamous golden triangle, located at the nations
northernmost point, is where Thailands borders meet
those of both Laos and Myanmar (Burma). The border with
Myanmar continues to the west and then south as far as the
Malay Peninsula, much of which is occupied by Thailand. On
the east, the border with Laos meanders southeast along the
Mekong River until it reaches Cambodia, which is due east of
Bangkok, the Thai Capital. In the south is the Gulf of Thailand.
Roughly the size of France (200,000 sq. miles), Thailand is
composed of four main regions. The northern mountainous
region contains numerous ruins and temples, the ancient city
of Chiang Mai, and Thailands highest peak, Doi Inthanon.
This region is also home to the hill tribes of Thailand, distinct
ethnic groups which settled in the area after migrating from
as far away as Tibet and central China. The north-east of
Thailand occupies the semi-arid Korat plateau, the most
desolate and least-visited part of the country. An interesting
blend of Thai, Lao, and Khmer influences characterize the
culture of the Korat. Central Thailand, which consists of
the fertile plains surrounding the Chao Phraya River, is the
countrys most populous region and its rice basket. Thailands
alluring and congested capital city of Bangkok is located along
the banks of the Chao Phraya, near the rivers outlet into the
Bight of Bangkok and the Gulf of Thailand. The southern
region of Thailand, which stretches for hundreds of miles
along the Malay Peninsula, abounds with stunning beaches
and scores of tropical islands.
Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai, the northernmost province of Thailand is about
785 kilometers north of Bangkok. Situated on the Kok River
basin, Chiang Rai covers an area of approximately 11,678
PAGE 13
Chiang Rai, founded in 1262 by King Meng Rai, was the first
capital of the Lanna Thai Kingdom (Kingdom of a million
rice fields), which was later conquered by Burma. It was not
until 1786 that Chiang Rai became a Thai territory and was
proclaimed a province during the reign of King Rama VI in
1910. Today, Chiang Rai is a travelers paradise endowed
with abundant natural tourist attractions and antiquities;
the province itself is evidence of past civilization. Attractions
range from magnificent mountain scenery, ruins of ancient
settlements, historic sites, Buddhist shrines and ethnic
villages as the province is also home to many hill tribes who
maintain fascinating lifestyles. For those interested in the
natural side of Chiang Rai, jungle trekking is recommended
along various trails.
Chiang Rai, which tends to be a little more laid back, now
competes with Chiang Mai as a tourist attraction and is fast
becoming a popular escape for tourists wanting to get away
from the troubles they left behind.
Climate
The climate in Thailand varies between the north and south
regions, however the temperature is relatively hot yearround throughout the country. The southern coastal region
is characterized by a monsoon climate, which brings heavy
rainfall from April to October in the South West and from
September to December in the South East. In central and
northern inland parts of Thailand, the climate is tropical with
the rainy season lasting from May to November, bringing hot
and humid weather. During the dry season, temperatures are
cool from November to February and are hot from March
to May. In Chiang Rai, the hottest average temperature is
36C (96.8F) in April and the coolest average temperature is
15C (59F) in December. Please see Weather Spark for more
details on the climate and weather forecast.
History & Demographics

An early people to appear in Thailand were the Mons, who
came into Southeast Asia from Central China two millennia
ago. However, the Lawa or Lua probably had a vast Kingdom
here prior to the Mons and perhaps various peoples before
that. But the Mons settled along various rivers in Burma and
Thailand, building cities and rapidly developing a civilized
culture. Within a few centuries they were confronted by
other groups coming out of the north. As the region filled
with people and villages, local kingdoms emerged and vied
for supremacy over each other, giving rise to Thailands

earliest empires. The first of these were the Davaravati of
Central Thailand and the Srivijaya, whose empire extended
from Sumatra up the Malay Peninsula to southern Thailand.
Both kingdoms practiced Buddhism, which had spread from
India during the time of the Mons. Eventually, the Davaravati
fell to the westward expansion of the Khmers from Cambodia.
The next Thai kingdom to arise was Siam, which had its
origins in the military expansion of the Mongols under
Kublai Khan. As the Mongols pressed South through China,
the people of the North-Western Mountains and the Shan
Plateau fled South and East. In 1220, the Thai lords founded
their first capital at Sukhothai, in the Nan River valley. Soon
afterward, two other Thai kingdoms were established: Lanna
Thai (million Thai rice fields) at Chiang Saen in the north and
PaYao. In the mid-14th century, Ayuthaya had entered its
golden age, dominating the other kingdoms and driving the
Khmers out of the region entirely.
For the next few centuries the Thai kingdoms faced a stronger
threat, not from the east or north, but from their neighbors
to the west---the Burmese. In 1556 the Burmese captured
Chiang Mai, and then Ayuthaya in 1569. The Thais rallied
and recaptured both cities in the following decades, but
the antagonism between the two peoples continued. The
Burmese attacked Ayuthaya once more in 1767, this time
practically erasing the city after a particularly bloody and
protracted battle. Although the Thais managed to expel the
Burmese shortly after, a new capital had to be constructed
around what is now Bangkok. This chapter in Thai history
marks the establishment of the Chakri Dynasty under Rama
I, whose descendants have reigned in unbroken succession
until the present day.
Unlike most of the other countries of Southeast Asia, Thailand
(or Siam, as it was known at the time) never felt the yoke
of direct European colonialism. As early as the 17th century,
the Thai kings were set upon maintaining independence,
having executed a French emissary to underscore their
determination. As the French, British, and Dutch carved up
the entire region over the next hundred years, the Kings of
Siam shrewdly played the competing Europeans against each
other, ensuring that no one power would gain a dominant
presence. The strategy paid off handsomely, as Siam remained
autonomous while reaping most of whatever benefits the
colonial system had to offer. Although having to give up large
areas of territory to Britain and France.
After a peaceful coup in 1932, Siams powerful monarchy
became constitutional, and in 1939 the country officially
adopted the name Thailand. Over the next several decades,
Thailand was governed primarily by military dictatorships,
which drew much of their support from collaboration
with more powerful nations. Since that time, Thailand
has weathered several coups, a number of border clashes
with neighboring communist regimes, and violent student
demonstrations, finally emerging in the last decade as a
remarkably stable and economically successful nation.
Today Thailand has a population of about 70 million people,
the vast majority of whom are of Thai ethnicity. Significant
minorities of Chinese, Malay, Khmer, Mons, and various hill
tribes also reside in Thailand, in addition to tens of thousands
PAGE 14
of refugees in border camps from the more troubled countries

of South-East Asia. Buddhism is the dominant religion in
Thailand, although a variety of tribal religions continue to
be practiced. Thailands people regard their royal family with
a respect bordering on awe. The main language in Thailand
is Thai, although Lao, Chinese, Malay and English are also
spoken by significant numbers of people.
Public Holidays
Jan 1
New Years Day
Jan (2nd
Sat)
Childrens Day
Feb/Mar
Magha Bucha Day
Apr 6
Chakri Day
Apr 13-15
Songkran (Thai New Year)
May 1
Labor Day
May 5
Coronation Day
May/Jun
Visakha Day*
Jul
Khao Phansa Day (Buddhist Lent)*
Aug 12
HM The Queens Birthday
Oct 23
Chulalongkorn Day
Nov 2
Loy Kratong
Dec 5
HM The Kings Birthday
Dec 10
Constitution Day
Dec 31
New Years Eve
* The religious festivals are determined by the Buddhist lunar

calendar and therefore are difficult to predict. The dates
provided here are estimates.
School Holidays
For those of you who will be teaching, it is important to be
aware of the major school holidays. All of March, April, and
the first half of May are school holidays. October is also a
holiday for the entire month. Prior to these are examinations
which can often mean classes are postponed or cancelled.
A class can also be cancelled at short notice by the school,
for any one of many reasons, over which our partner has no
control.
During this time our volunteers will still have various teaching
assignments, such as English Language camps, childcare, and
some extra-curricular teaching. However, volunteers signing
up for teaching during these periods will need to be flexible,
and adapt to the work available at the time this will almost
certainly include non-teaching activities.
THAILAND TRAVEL INFORMATION

As a tourist visiting Thailand, there are many cultural and logistical factors to consider as you prepare for
your trip. We have developed a list of details specific to your time on the volunteer program in Thailand,
which should ensure you are fully prepared.
Visa
Travel Documents
Visa requirements vary depending on the following factors:

your purpose of travel, length of stay, nationality and place
of residence. All volunteers need to ensure they have a
passport that is valid for 6 months from entry.
It is highly recommended that you make two copies of all

your important travel documents (passport, flight tickets, and
travel insurance) before you leave home. Leave one copy with
a friend or family member and take the spare copy with you.
Bring your passport as well as an identification card (such as
drivers license or student card) for traveling as you may be
asked to present this when making tour bookings or checking
in for flight/bus trips. To enter Thailand, your passport must
be valid for at least six months beyond the date of departure
from Thailand.
Purpose of travel: IVHQ trips fall under the category of

volunteer tourism and we recommend you state your
purpose of travel as vacation or tourism when asked by
immigration officials. If you state work or volunteer work
as your purpose, immigration officers will demand that you
pay extra and acquire a work/employment visa and this
requires a sponsorship letter, which our partner organization
does not provide. A work visa is not necessary for your
volunteer program and the work you will be doing.
Length of stay: The maximum duration a tourist may stay in
Thailand is 90 days. Nationality and place of residence: Most
nationalities are eligible to gain a 15 or 30-day entry visa on
arrival to Thailand for free. Some nationals and residents
of Asian, African and communist countries must apply for a
visa prior to arrival. Please check the requirements with your
nearest Thai Embassy.
How to apply: If you are eligible and staying in Thailand for less
than 30 days you can receive a 15- day visa stamp on arrival
overland or a 30-day visa stamp on arrival by air. Nationals of
Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom
and United States can obtain a visa for 30 days on arrival
overland, as well as by air. Visas can be extended for a further
7 days at the local immigration office.
If you are volunteering for longer than 30 days you need to
obtain a 60-day tourist visa from your nearest Thai Embassy
prior to arrival and this can be extended for a further 30 days
at the local immigration office in Chiang Rai.
NOTE: Overstays are charged at 500 per day (approximately
US$15), and a note is stamped inside your passport when you
leave.
Thai Embassies Abroad

To find the contact details of embassies and consulates of
Thailand, please visit the Go Abroad website.
PAGE 15
Getting There & Away

IVHQ prides itself on providing high quality volunteer programs
at highly affordable prices. However, our volunteers often
discover that one of the biggest costs when preparing for their
volunteer trip abroad are their flights. To help overcome this,
IVHQ has partnered with STA Travel to create flight itineraries
especially for IVHQ volunteers. STA Travels mission is to open
up the world to eager, enthusiastic, exploratory travelers and
as the worlds largest travel company for students and young
adults are committed to helping you travel with a purpose at
an affordable price. You can request a flight quote from STA
Travel via our Flights page.
Direct flights from North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia
are frequent, though fares can range quite a bit. Bangkok
and Thai Airways are the national carriers and fly to all of
Thailands provincial capitals.
Recommended Routes
We recommend taking flights all the way to Chiang Rai to
begin your program however, we understand this may not
suit your travel schedule or budget so we have listed some
alternative transport options for arriving in Chiang Rai.
Night Bus
Your country > Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) Airport > Bangkok
North Bus Terminal > Chiang Rai NEW Bus Station
Night bus duration: 11hours from Bangkok bus terminal
Night bus cost: Roughly 800baht from Bangkok to Chiang Rai
(air condition first class)
Flights Day Bus

Your country > Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) Airport > Chiang
Mai International Airport > Chiang Mai Airport to Chiang Mai
Bus Station > Chiang Mai Bus Station > Chiang Rai NEW Bus
Station
Domestic Flight Duration: 1 hour 10min from Bangkok to
Chiang Mai
Day Bus Duration: 3 hour from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai
Bus Cost: Roughly 200baht from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai (air
condition)
Flight Train Day Bus
Your country > Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) Airport > Bangkok
Train Station > Chiang Mai Train Station > Chiang Mai Bus
Station > Chiang Mai Bus Station > Chiang Rai NEW Bus
Station
Train Duration: 11hours from Bangkok to Chiang Mai Train
Station
Day Bus Duration: 3hour from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai
Train cost: Roughly 800baht
Bus cost: Roughly 200baht (air condition)
Transport
To and from Placement
Some placements are within walking distance; if your
placement is further a field and motor transport is required
this will be provided by the local team. Any transport in your
free time will be at your own cost.
Planes
In recent years, the number of domestic air carriers has
practically exploded, with as many as half a dozen carriers,
depending on who is actually in business at the moment.
Many of these new airlines are the result of Thai Airways
attempt to offload unprofitable destinations, so their long
term viability is in question. The smarter ones are taking a
cue from Bangkok Airways and developing new destinations.
Many of the small startups have code share agreements with
Thai, at least for the routes they took over from the national
carrier. For one or two, the only way to book a flight is through
a Thai Airways agent.
At Attidude Travel you can find links to some of Thais budget
carriers. Thai Airways also does domestic trips from Bangkok
to Chiang Rai but we have found these flights to be expensive.
All prices are in Baht and US$1 = 34 Baht (approximately). Be
aware that most international flights fly into Suvarnabhumi
Airport and yet domestic flights can leave from Don Mueang
Airport (approximately a one hour taxi ride away which will
cost around US$16) or Suvarnabhumi. So if you plan on flying
into Bangkok then straight onto Chiang Rai just note what
airport you are leaving from and if you are leaving from Don
Mueang, give yourself time to clear customs and get to the
Don Mueang airport.
PAGE 16
Trains
State Railway
The state railway operates the inter-city trains throughout
Thailand. It can be an amazingly cheap way to get around the
country, if you have the time. You can go by first class almost
anywhere for under 1,000 Baht. Much more comfortable
sleeping on a train than on a coach, and only slightly more
expensive.
Eastern & Oriental Express
The very definition of luxury from days gone by. Operates
special trips from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Kanchanaburi and
Singapore.
Automobiles
Driving yourself around Thailand isnt something wed
recommend, although traveling by car definitely has its
advantages. The roads in Thailand, mainly due to the poor
driving habits of a large proportion of Thais, are not very safe
for those unfamiliar with the unwritten and haphazard rules
of the road. However, the good news is that you can generally
rent a car with a driver for the same price or less than you
would pay for a car rental in North America or Europe.
This makes a good option for a day trip to out of the way
destinations. Due no doubt to the low demand, the major
international car rental companies dont have much presence
in Thailand. However, most first class hotels will have cars for
hire and most major tourist destinations such as Chiang Mai
have rental agencies. Be sure to check out the car on offer
before agreeing to rent it.
Buses
Thailand still has an extensive network of inter-city buses. Bus
services are available in two classes. Second class is not air
conditioned, while first class services have air conditioning,
and often much more. A few of the longer routes, such as
Bangkok to Chiang Mai, even have a sort of super-first class
service with fully reclining seats and other amenities. Bus
service is generally inexpensive, but be sure to watch the bags
unloaded at intermediate stops, as theft is rather common.
Departure Tax
Most volunteers choose to depart from Thailand by means
of flying. Please be aware that there is a departure tax of
approximately 500 Baht (US$15) payable only in Baht. You
will have already paid this tax when purchasing your ticket
but sometimes this tax is not included. If you are unsure if
this is included in the price of your airfare, discuss with your
travel agent or flight provider. Please ensure you arrive at the
airport at least two and a half hours before you are due to fly
out of the country.
Money
Malaria
The currency of Thailand is the Thai Bhat (THB) please visit

the XE website to check the current exchange rate at the time
of your program.
Malaria is found in Thailand and in areas around Chiang

Rai, therefore it is recommended that you consult a travel
doctor to discuss what precautions you should take. Humans
get malaria from the bite of a malaria-infected mosquito.
Symptoms of malaria include fever and flu-like illness,
including shaking chills, headache, muscle aches, and
tiredness. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may also occur.
Malaria may cause anemia and jaundice (yellow coloring
of the skin and eyes) because of the loss of red blood cells.
Malaria, if not promptly treated, has the potential to cause
kidney failure, seizures, mental confusion, coma, and death.
Malaria can be cured with prescription drugs. The type of
drugs and length of treatment depend on which kind of
malaria is diagnosed, where the patient was infected, the age
of the patient, and how severely ill the patient was at start of
treatment.
We recommend taking some United States Dollars (around

US$200) to keep away in case of emergencies and a VISA
or Mastercard credit/debit card to withdraw cash in local
currency, as you need it. ATMs are easily accessible in major
cities and tourist areas, and hotels, shops and restaurants
in tourist areas generally accept credit cards. You will need
Baht for public transportation, taxis and independent shops
and hospitality venues. Most currencies can be exchanged
easily at the airport (although you will not receive a favorable
exchange rate) and at any bank.
Please note, your Program Fee covers your accommodation
and meals Tuesday to Saturday of your volunteer program,
however you will need extra money for meals on Sunday and
Monday, daily transport to your volunteer placement, as well
as for weekend travel, shopping and personal expenses.
General Health & Vaccinations

t is expected that all volunteers have their own health
insurance. Vaccinations are not typically required to enter
Thailand, however this can vary depending on your travel
path. We therefore recommend carrying out independent
research and talking to a travel doctor about the required
vaccinations if you plan to travel before or after your
volunteer program. You may choose to get vaccinated against
some illnesses (please see our list below of recommended
vaccinations).
In addition, please carry with you preventive agents, such
as mosquito repellents, as well as other medicines for
headaches and stomachaches. On the off chance that you
fall sick and need a doctors attention, The Mirror Foundation
has access to an emergency medical service and will take you
to the hospital if necessary. There are good and reputable
hospitals around where you can be treated. We recommend
you consult a travel doctor before you travel, as they will also
be able to advise you on what vaccinations you require, be
sure to allow plenty of time to receive these vaccinations.
Recommended Vaccinations for Thailand:
Polio
Hepatitis A
Diphtheria/Tetanus
Typhoid
Malaria
Hepatitis B
Tuberculosis
PAGE 17
Steps to Take Before Travelling to Thailand

Visit your health care provider 4-6 weeks before foreign
travel for any necessary vaccinations and a prescription
for an anti-malarial drug.
Take your anti-malarial drug exactly on schedule without
missing doses.
Prevent mosquito and other insect bites. Use DEET
insect repellent on exposed skin and flying insect spray
in the room where you sleep.
Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts, especially from
dusk to dawn. This is the time when mosquitoes that
spread malaria bite.
Sleep under a mosquito net.
There are several anti-malarial drugs on the market. Some
affect people quite differently and each has its own benefits
and drawbacks. Doxycyline and Malarone are both considered
good quality forms of anti malarial. Lariam (or Mefloquine)
is also effective but should be trialed by the user as it has
been reported as causing significant mood changes, as well
as sleep disturbances and abnormal dreams.
Whichever form of anti malarial you choose, it is essential
that you know how and when to take it as it will only provide
protection if used correctly. Make sure that you allow enough
time prior to your travel to obtain medication and begin to
medicate yourself.
Yellow Fever Vaccination
A yellow fever vaccination is legally required to enter Thailand
if you are arriving from a Yellow Fever endemic area such
as Africa or the Amazon. Ensure you bring this certification
with you to show that you have had this vaccination or you
may not be issued with a Visa. If you are unsure whether you
require this immunization and certification please discuss
with your travel doctor.
Communication
Thailand Wall Plugs & Adapters
You can bring your own mobile phone and if it is SIM card
compatible you can get a local SIM card and a Thai mobile
number for approximately US$5, which is great for keeping in
touch with other volunteers and also home. Both International
and local/long distance calls can be made. Please note, the
country code of Thailand is +66. You will be able access WiFi
and Internet at the volunteer accommodation and at Internet
cafes in the city.
The two most commonly found socket types in Thailand are

the typical European rounded two-prong plug (Type C) and
the Japanese flat two-prong plug (Type A). Powerpoints for
both plugs can be found in the volunteer accommodation so
either adapter will be fine, however, you may wish to travel
with a worldwide adaptor that is capable of connecting to
multiple socket types. The voltage in Thailand in 220-240 V
and the frequency is 50Hz.
Contact Information for

Family & Friends
It is normal for your family to want to contact you when you
arrive in Thailand to hear that you have arrived safely, so
we encourage you to call or email them once you reach the
Foundation. If your family wishes to contact you at the via the
local staff they can call the Thailand Volunteer Coordinator,
Thellie, with the details below.
Thellie

+66 5373 7412 (Sometimes this phone is operated by a
non-English speaker)
volunteer@themirrorfoundation.org
106 Moo 1 Baan Huay Khom
T. Mae Yao, A. Muang
Chiang Rai 57100
THAILAND
Contact Information for Volunteers

Once you are in Thailand or Chiang Rai you may contact the
local staff using the details below.
The Mirror Foundation Offices: +66 (0)53 737 616
Khun Moo (Home) +66 (0)86 420 6233
Khun Aye (Mobile) +66 (0)86 186 7858
Khun Thellie (Mobile) +66 (0) 857 192114
Please be aware that there is virtually no mobile reception at
The Mirror Foundation, so try office numbers first during the
daytime. These will often be answered by Thai staff, so please
be clear, calm and concise when speaking.
To aid volunteers when they are in town and wish to return
to The Mirror Foundation, the following addresses can be
printed off to speak, and show, Thai taxi drivers.
Mirror Foundation
106 Moo 1, Ban Huay Khom, T. Mae Yao, A. Muang, Chiang
Rai 57100 THAILAND
PAGE 18
Clothing & Culture

Casual, modern clothing is ok and normal in Thailand.
However, it is required that you wear conservative clothing
that covers the shoulders, chest and knees whilst at your
volunteer placement. Despite its reputation for naughty
fun, Thailand is actually quite conservative with its values.
Never mind all the in-your-face girls hanging out of go-go
bars, most Thais are fairly shy and modest. Dont be deceived
by their friendliness or lack of complaint, inwardly they have
some very strict protocols for behavior, but their culture limits
them from telling you directly when you are being offensive.
It may be okay to wander around in your bikini or Speedos on
a Phuket beach, but in Chiang Rai this is most definitely not
the case.
Thais judge you by the way you dress, and status is very
important to them. Sure, theyve seen loads of scruffy
backpackers passing through so theyre used to it, however,
they wont be terribly friendly or respectful of you. If you
need something from an official, such as visa extension, we
recommend you wear a collared shirt, long pants or kneelength dress/skirt with covered shoulders. Of course, temples
are places of worship and held in high regard by all Thais, so
please, carry a pair of long pants and sleeved shirt and pop
them on when you want to enter these sanctuaries. Chiang
Rai is pretty casual, but by dressing well when meeting with
Thais (particularly important ones) you are demonstrating
that you are taking them seriously and theyll be more
willingly help you.
Silk tunics are a popular accessory for men, and although
the traditional Northern dress (or the ubiquitous blue denim
shirt) is usually reserved for Fridays and special occasions,
youll always get smiles of approval from the locals for wearing
their unique costume. In general, people in Chiang Rai dress
for the weather, which can be searing hot in April and pretty
darned cold (especially in the mountains) during the winter
(Nov - Mar). Footwear is particularly casual and slip-ons or
flip-flops work best because youll frequently be removing
them when you go indoors. Thais wear them to work, climb
mountains in them, go running, ride bicycles - you name it.
Not only is it offensive to Thais to show off too much flesh, it

can be potentially quite dangerous. Many Thai men associate
this style of dressing with prostitution (short shorts, strapped
tops, cropped tops, strapless tops, etc).
Below, is the minimum standard The Mirror Foundation
expect from volunteers:
Shorts length must be on or below the knee

Skirts should be below the knee, preferably ankle length
No leggings or yoga pants
Shoulders covered at all times
No cleavage showing at all times
A bra must be worn at all times
No showing your belly (this includes when you stretch
your arms up)
Our partner organization will be the arbiter of what is

appropriate while you are on their program if they feel you
are inappropriately dressed, they will require you to change
clothing or be withdrawn from the activity.
Laundry
There are two washing machines available for volunteers
to use at Mirror Foundation. There is also the option,
and facilities, to hand-wash your own clothes during your
volunteering period. Bring some plastic bags for your dirty
clothes, but you can buy washing powder once you arrive
in Thailand. It is recommended that in the rainy season you
bring moisture absorbent bags to put in your pack to help
keep your clothes dry as the humidity is high and mold has a
tendency to grow in this environment.
Shopping
There are very good fresh food markets, grocery stores, night
bazaars and shopping centers throughout Thailand in towns
and major cities. You will be able to get everything that you
need from toiletries to drinks to sanitary and other personal
items you require. If you want to eat out, there are plenty of
restaurants in and around Chiang Rai serving traditional, and
western, food.
Bargaining
In a lot of stalls and street stalls virtually all prices are
negotiable. The first asking price given may be higher than
you need to pay. You can make a lower offer. Through a little
friendly bargaining you arrive at a price suitable to both
parties. Smiling is most important throughout this polite
negotiation. Do not be overly concerned about whether
you got the best deal possible; chances are a relatively high
price in Thailand will be much lower than what you would
pay at home. Also, you may encounter high-pressure sales
tactics, in which case, firm politeness is the best response.
You neither want to want to be patronizing nor rude, just
sincere. It may be a good idea to start out slow with relatively
cheap items to get comfortable with the system. Basically,
the bargaining system in Thailand aims to see both the buyer
and seller happy!
PAGE 19
Whats Happening in Thailand?

After registering on an IVHQ program, volunteers often like to
know what is happening in the country they will be traveling
to. The following websites contains up to date news and
information from Thailand:
Bangkok Post
2Bangkok
Chiang Mai Mail
Culture & Customs

Greeting People - The traditional Thai greeting upon
meeting someone for the first time is to put your palms
together in front of your chest, as in praying, bow your
head and say, sa wat dee kaa*/sa wat dee kap*. It is very
important to smile at the person in front of you. *Khrap
and Kaa are words used at the end of sentences to make
it more polite - males always say Khrap and females
always say Kaa.
Putting on a Smile - In Thailand, almost everything in life
involves a smile, even blunders and mishaps. Westerners
often mistake this for being laughed at. For example, if a
waitress forgets an order and laughs, she is not showing
contempt, just covering her embarrassment and making
the best of a bad situation. If you complain, do so
gracefully, as anger usually gets you nowhere.
Dressing for the Occasion - Cleanliness and neatness
are also important. In tropical Thailand, never put off
showering or doing your laundry. Most Thais keep
themselves scrupulously clean and dress respectably.
T-shirts, sandals and knee-length shorts are suitable for
informal occasions, but visits to palaces, government
offices and some temples usually require something
more appropriate. Nudity is forbidden, and topless
bathing is very offensive in Thailand.
Showing Respect - The head is high and the feet
are low, both physically and spiritually. Never touch
anyones head, and avoid gesturing (especially towards
a Buddha image, or picture of the king), moving things
and touching people with your feet. Before entering a
temple or a persons home, remove your shoes.
Good Table Manners- Shared meals are served in
separate dishes with serving spoons. If someone invites
you to eat, use the serving spoons to put food on your
plate, not your personal spoon. Take small amounts of all
the food instead of keeping one kind for yourself. Only
take as much as you are sure you can eat. Therefore,
finish everything on your plate. Using a toothpick after
the meal is acceptable if you cover your mouth with one
hand.
Speaking softly and quietly - In Thailand, people are not
used to speaking directly or aggressively. Dont get angry
or swear and try to avoid speaking loudly or shouting.
Dont discriminate - Talk to all people regardless if they
are in a high level position or a toilet cleaner.
Thai people do not think that being called fat is offensive
so if someone says something like that to you, please
dont get angry. It is often meant as a compliment.
WHAT TO PACK
Personal Belongings
Copies of important travel documents, such as passport,
criminal background check, travel insurance, visas, plane
tickets and passport photos
Medical kit with aspirin (or a similar pain reliever),
antihistamine for relief from allergies or insect bites,
diarrhea stoppers such as Diastop, scissors and
tweezers, band aids, antiseptic cream for cuts and
grazes, sunscreen, lip balm, insect repellant and any
personal medication
Toiletries, including toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo,
conditioner, soap/body wash and contact lenses
Mobile phone - you can buy a SIM card for around US$5
(to make local calls, send texts and receive international
calls)
Laptop, iPad or Smartphone so you have access to WiFi
in the volunteer house
Camera
Plug Adapters and chargers for your electronics
Clothing (please refer to the Climate and Clothing and
Culture section in this booklet) - light, cotton clothing
that covers your whole body is ideal for sun and insect
bites, however, also pack a set of warmer clothes for
evenings and winter months.
A set of nice clothes for going out, visa extension or
official occasion
Sun hat and sunglasses
Swimsuit
Day Pack
A small padlock for securing bags and valuables
Flashlight
Umbrella or raincoat
Sleeping bag and towels
Books, music and other entertainment for long travel
and down time
Travel guide (many volunteers find Lonely Planet to
be very helpful for preparation and once they are in
Thailand)
This information booklet
Journal and pens to keep a diary (or you can post a diary
to the IVHQ website via My IVHQ)
A small gift for your hosts/cooks (optional) - while your
volunteer accommodation receives money for your
board and meals, some volunteers like to bring a small
gift from home as a token of their appreciation
PAGE 20
Volunteer Supplies
For all programs, it is imperative to remember that any money
raised to help your project when you arrive in Thailand will
be very well received. Often it is hard for volunteers to take
too many supplies due to limitations on baggage weight but
remember that Thailand has some very developed shopping
centers where supplies can be bought once you have
arrived in the country. If you post donated items to Mirror
Foundation it is important to note that they cannot pay extra
fees charged by the courier or Thai postage upon receiving
the package so ensure you cover the postage upon export.
Below we have listed some supplies that are very helpful on
the teaching and medical placement programs.
Basic first aid products
Medical family guides
ALL TYPES of Craft supplies (pipe cleaners, felt, beads,
wool, balloons, paddle pop sticks, bottle tops). These
can even be recycled materials
A4 laminator pockets
Balloons
Bubble Solution
Face Paint and paint brushes
Music player, speakers and childrens music
Musical instruments (bongos, tambourines, small bells,
guitars, keyboards)
Hula hoops
Stickers, stamps
Group games such as bingo, snakes and ladders, twister
A4 colored drawing paper and printer paper
Thick cardboard
Pencils, pens, permanent markers, whiteboard markers,
fat crayons
Children books (with flaps - the children love to open the
flaps)
Puppets (we have a little puppet theater, and more
puppet characters are always welcomed)
Posters
Colored pavement chalk and blackboard chalk
New or second hand clothing please ensure that
clothing is washed and clean, and other donations are in
good condition, before offering them.
Donation of any of your personal items eg, medical
supplies, are gratefully received by the foundation.
Colored string and fat blunt needles (we do threading
activities at the special needs school, and threading
helps to develop co-ordination)
Mirror Foundation requests that you do NOT bring
card games (gambling is illegal in Thailand, and cards
represent this)
PROGRAM FEE PAYMENT

IVHQ will collect the Program Fee for The Mirror Foundation and then forward it to them. This is good for you because you will
not have to carry a large amount of cash with you to Thailand.
The Program Fee must be paid at least 30 days before your program start date. This fee is non-refundable and goes straight from
IVHQ to The Mirror Foundation in Thailand. The fee pays for your airport pick-up, accommodation and meals, Mirror Foundation
staff salaries, orientation expenses, administrative costs, bank transfer fees and donations towards projects volunteers work on.
Program Fee Payment via IVHQ
Fundraising
Please log in to My IVHQ Profile to pay your Program Fee by

credit card via our secure PayPal system.
Despite IVHQ doing our utmost to make our volunteer trip

affordable, we realize that the total cost can still be expensive
by the time your flights, travel insurance and vaccinations are
paid for. Every volunteer traveler is different and while some
volunteers have access to funds to cover the cost of their trip,
there are many who fundraise to cover these expenses.
Grants & Scholarships

IVHQ does not offer any grants for volunteers, however, if
you are a university or college student, some institutions
offer grants for volunteer travelers. General travel grants
are also available for people wishing to do volunteer work
abroad however, these vary widely depending on your home
country and the type of volunteer work you will doing. We
recommend a simple Google search to see what is available
in your country. The following websites are also a great
resource for searching for funding opportunities:
GoAbroad Scholarship Database www.goabroad.com/scholarships-abroad
GoOverseas Volunteer Scholarship www.gooverseas.com/volunteer-abroad-scholarshipapplication
A favourite moment was probably singing

songs with our Thai coordinator during a
break from work. He had picked fresh fruit
and cold water for us and brought along his

guitar.
PAGE 21
DANIEL DCRUZ
Here is how IVHQ can help you:

IVHQ has a partnership with a fundraising company
that provides IVHQ volunteers with access to online
crowdfunding services, which have helped IVHQ
volunteers raise thousands of dollars for their trips.
See the Fundraising page on our website for further
information.
IVHQ has an A-Z of Fundraising booklet for all registered
volunteers. Simply email your IVHQ Program Manager to
request a copy of this booklet to be emailed to you.
Your IVHQ Program Manager can also provide you with
a verification letter that you can use to help legitimize
your fundraising efforts, which helps when approaching
individuals or companies for the first time.
PAGE 22
VOLUNTEERING ABROAD
Why Volunteer?
Volunteering abroad offers a mutually beneficial exchange
for both the volunteer and your host community - you are
willing to give yourself as a source of labor and in return,
you will gain incredible life experiences, whilst having the
opportunity to travel to a foreign country and immerse
yourself in the local culture and community. It is a rewarding
and positive arrangement for all parties involved - people
benefit from your skills, knowledge and efforts, and in return,
you benefit from the commitment you make to contributing
to a developing community in need of assistance.
People generally decide to volunteer abroad for one or more
of the following reasons:
To take a gap year before going to university
To gain new experiences after graduating and before
beginning work
To take time off during studies or work
To drop yourself in the deep end in a totally unknown
culture and land
To seek a new direction in life
To give back
Volunteering is an extremely rewarding and challenging way
to travel and see the world. We can guarantee that during
your volunteer experience abroad, regardless of whether it is
for two weeks or six months, you will experience a myriad of
emotions, such as joy and satisfaction, but at the same time,
sadness and helplessness. Ask anyone who has volunteered
abroad before and they will rate their experiences as highlights
of their lives for a variety of reasons; to be immersed in a
different culture, the eye opening experiences, the joy of
helping someone achieve a goal, and the friendships forged in
unknown lands. Regardless of your motivation to volunteer,
in order to get the most out of your experience, it is important
to set clear goals before you arrive.
Getting the Most Out of Your Volunteer

Experience
Before you begin your volunteer program, it is important to
clarify your motives. You may be drawn to volunteer work by
a desire to help impoverished people. You may be interested
in learning about another culture and country. You may wish
to be part of a process of positive social change. You may
wish to use it as a base for living inexpensively in a foreign
country whilst having the opportunity to travel. Or you may
wish to gain experience that will enhance your future career
prospects.
Whatever your motives are for volunteering abroad, it is
important you consider the following:
Ensure your chosen project matches your interests and
strengths
PAGE 23
Ensure you will be able to contribute while volunteering

Before you leave, set clear goals that you wish to achieve
while you are away
Once you arrive, reassess these goals - are they still
realistic and/or achievable?
Like most things in life, you get out what you put in. If you
are not motivated, willing to use your initiative, or adapt to
working amongst a new culture in unfamiliar surroundings,
you will not enjoy volunteering abroad. While our local staff
will place you in suitable placements, they will not always
be there to hold your hand and therefore it is extremely
important to be able to provide your own direction and show
initiative.
It is important to go abroad with an open mind. Accept that
what is customary in your culture and community is not
always the same in the community you will be working. Most
importantly, be prepared to teach and give, but also to learn
and receive.
Will I Make a Difference?

Whether you make a difference is entirely up to you. One thing
to remember before you depart is that volunteering is never
easy. You will have difficult moments and days that make you
question your effectiveness. As aforementioned, in order to
be an effective volunteer, you must have self-direction, be
able to show initiative, patience and most importantly be
motivated. You must also be realistic. If you are volunteering
for a period of two weeks, you are never going to change
the world, however simply because you are volunteering
for a short period of time does not mean you cannot make a
positive difference in the community and placement in which
you are working. Making the most of the time you can give
is another important facet to being an effective volunteer.
While longer-term volunteers are in a much better position
to make a real difference within a developing community, it
is incredible what a volunteer with only two weeks can do.
One of the real strengths of IVHQs volunteer programs is
that they are a great platform for raising awareness. Many
volunteers travel to a developing country and although
they only have a short period of time volunteering, their
experiences, the people they meet and the contacts they
make allow them to return to their home countries and
continue to help. There are countless ways that this can be
done, whether it is simply through sponsoring a child you
meet, fundraising for a placement you worked with, or even
starting an non-profit organization to raise awareness and
affect positive change in developing communities (this has
been done before, visit the KCC Slum Project website for
more information on the organization established by IVHQ
volunteer, Marcus Gregar-Rive, in Kenya). Basically, the onus
is on you. You have made the commitment to travel and work
on this program make the most of it.
WHERE DO MY FEES GO?

Giving up not only your time, but also your money to volunteer is a huge
commitment for anybody. A lot of people struggle to understand the concept
of paying to volunteer abroad, and although IVHQ does its utmost to ensure
we provide the most affordable fees possible, it is important you understand
where your fees are going. Transparency is important to IVHQ.
To ensure affordable fees, IVHQ works directly with local organizations throughout
the world, many of which are based in developing countries, where the cost of
living is relatively low. The low cost of living in these countries is directly reflected
in the volunteer Program Fees 100% of which are sent to the local organization
in country. Using economies of scale, IVHQ is provided with heavily discounted
Program Fees by these local organizations due to the fact that we provide large
numbers of volunteers annually. These are always the most affordable fees that the
local organization can provide, which ensure IVHQ volunteers have access to the
best volunteer programs at the lowest prices. To ensure our affordable fees are also
transparent, we developed the IVHQ Pricing Model.
The IVHQ Pricing Model was established so IVHQ volunteers know where their fees
are going. This very simple pricing structure consists of two fees the Registration
Fee and the Program Fee.
Registration Fee
The Registration Fee for every volunteer program is US$279 and is paid to the head
IVHQ office in New Zealand. This fee confirms a volunteers place on the chosen
program and provides the income that allows IVHQ to operate. The Registration
Fee paid by each volunteer is used to pay for IVHQ staff salaries, program marketing
costs, staff travel costs to inspect and maintain high quality programs, website
maintenance and development, administration costs within the head IVHQ office,
and a contribution is also made towards the IVHQ Fund.
Program Fee
The Program Fee varies depending on the volunteers chosen program and the
duration of the program. This fee is due no later than 30 days before an IVHQ
volunteer is due to start their program and covers all of the costs of the IVHQ
volunteer program in country. These costs can include airport pickups, local staff
salaries, accommodation, meals, project donations and in-country administration
fees. The Program Fee is also paid to IVHQ but passed onto our local teams prior to
your arrival in country.
PAGE 24
RESPONSIBLE VOLUNTEER TRAVEL

IVHQ was established to provide affordable and high quality volunteer programs and the implementation
of responsible volunteer travel practices is paramount to any high quality international volunteer program.
To ensure IVHQ leads the way in responsible volunteer travel, IVHQ implements the practices outlined in the
IVHQ Responsible Volunteer Travel Policy.
IVHQ Responsible Volunteer Travel Policy

IVHQ markets its volunteer programs in a responsible and ethical manner
IVHQ manages the expectations of volunteers before they depart through clear
communication and realistic descriptions
IVHQ provides thorough pre-departure support for volunteers through the provision of
detailed program information and dedicated program managers
IVHQ works only with local organizations and local people, living in the community
where volunteers will be placed
IVHQ manages the number of volunteers on its programs by capping volunteer numbers
when a program reaches capacity
IVHQ screens volunteers for age and qualifications (where relevant) upon application
IVHQ volunteers must provide an original or a certified copy of a criminal background
check to the local organization at orientation
IVHQ volunteers must provide an original or certified copy of any required qualifications
for their volunteer project at orientation
IVHQ volunteers do not replace paid employment opportunities for local people
IVHQ volunteers work alongside local staff in local placements
IVHQ partners only with organizations that are registered organizations within that
country
IVHQ provides all partner organizations with the IVHQ Child Protection Policy for
implementation on programs alongside local placements
IVHQ provides training and framework to local staff on best practice volunteer
management upon partnership, and continuously through regular visits to ensure
programs receive maximum benefit from volunteers
IVHQ staff make regular visits to the volunteer programs to ensure they are running
effectively, to learn more about the programs first-hand, and to collect feedback from
volunteers and projects
IVHQ makes an effort to ensure fees are reasonable for volunteers by re-evaluating
fees regularly and analyzing costs with local staff
IVHQ requests feedback from every volunteer and evaluates programs on an on-going
basis, providing extra training and advice for local staff where necessary
IVHQ conducts independent research on its programs and the effects on the local
community through commissioning of third-party reports, which are used to adapt
and improve the volunteer programs
IVHQ offsets carbon emissions from flying to visit programs through purchasing carbon
credits and investing in clean energy, reforestation and tree planting efforts. IVHQ also
runs a local tree planting program and environmental education program in schools
and encourages IVHQ volunteers to offset their carbon emissions from flying to IVHQ
programs through a Carbon Footprint Calculator
PAGE 25
Criminal Background Check
Carbon Offsetting
To comply with the Mirror Foundations Child

Protection Policy, all volunteers are required to email
a scanned copy of a national Criminal Record check.
The original should also be brought to the program, for
verification, and will then be returned. These checks
can take a couple of months (USA FBI check is 8 weeks)
to complete, so it is important that applications are
sent off in good time - No volunteer will be placed
until the correct check is received and accepted. Please
email IVHQ for further details about the correct check
to apply for.
IVHQ has partnered with the UK-based organization,

Carbon Footprint, to provide IVHQ volunteers with
a platform to offset carbon emissions from flights to
participate on our volunteer programs.
The Mirror Foundation does not accept applicants

with criminal records involving drugs, violence, theft,
or sexual offenses - the work in these fields with local
villagers is too sensitive to jeopardize. Cautions for
these offenses should be disclosed for consideration
before proceeding further. Anyone with a criminal
record or caution for other offenses should also contact
us before proceeding further.
Please contact your national police service to enquire
how to apply for the appropriate document. We
have listed a few weblinks below to help with some
nationalities.
China: Persons should apply for a certificate of no
criminal record at the local Public Security Bureau
(PSB), then make application to the notary office
for a certificate based on the PSB document.
UK: Basic disclosure http://criminalcheck.globalchoices.co.uk/?id=21
USA: FBI Criminal Background check www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/background-checks
Canada: Certified Criminal Record check www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cr-cj/fing-empr2-eng.htm
Australia: National Police check www.afp.gov.au/what-we-do/police-checks/
national-police-checks.aspx
Japan: Should apply for a background check but
not mention volunteering, as Japans police do not
allow this.
Child Protection Policy

To ensure IVHQ leads the way in responsible volunteer
travel, IVHQ provides all partner organizations with the
IVHQ Child Protection Policy for implementation on
programs alongside local placements. All volunteers
are required to sign a copy of the IVHQ Child Protection
Policy during their program orientation in Thailand.
You can view the IVHQ Child Protection Policy here:
www.volunteerhq.org/ivhq-child-protection-policy
PAGE 26
Scientific research suggests that global carbon

emissions must be substantially reduced to address
climate change. Carbon offsetting is used to compensate
for carbon emissions from flying and other activities by
funding an equivalent carbon dioxide saving elsewhere.
In addition to the ultimate goal of reducing carbon
dioxide emissions, there are many benefits to
offsetting carbon emissions. These can include, but are
not limited to; saving energy, providing employment
opportunities, increasing tree numbers, conserving
natural habitats and increasing awareness of global
warming.
See our Carbon Footprint Calculator to calculate your
total flights footprint and purchase carbon credits to
invest in clean energy, reforestation or tree planting
efforts to offset the carbon emissions from traveling to
your program.
IVHQ Fund
Part of the Registration Fee volunteers pay to volunteer
with IVHQ is allocated to the IVHQ Fund. This fund was
established by IVHQ to support the projects set up
by previous IVHQ volunteers, who are making longterm and sustainable contributions to developing
communities abroad.
The volunteer projects to receive donations from
the IVHQ Fund will be decided by the wider IVHQ
community, through initiatives such as IVHQ Volunteer
of the Year and IVHQ Booster Awards, in which money
is invested back into projects where IVHQ volunteers
work based of nominations and votes received from
the IVHQ community.
Please note, the portion of volunteer fees allocated to
the IVHQ Fund is taken from the Registration Fee paid
to IVHQ, and not the Program Fee (100% of which goes
to IVHQs partner organizations to cover volunteer
accommodation, meals, airport pick-up, orientation,
in-country support, administration etc).
To read more about the IVHQ approach to responsible
volunteer travel, see:
www.volunteerhq.org/ivhq-approach
VOLUNTEER SAFETY
Traveling abroad can always bring out a mixture of excitement and nervousness. However, when you are
immersing yourself in a foreign culture through volunteering and living among the local community, this
apprehension can often be compounded.
If you have not traveled much before, it is difficult to know
what to expect and often volunteers (and their loved ones)
are concerned for their safety and security. Although it would
be foolish of us to try and guarantee anybodys safety, IVHQ
and our partner organizations do everything we can to ensure
your volunteer program is as safe and secure as possible.
Every program that IVHQ offers has been personally inspected
and selected by a director from IVHQ. We have lived in the
accommodations, experienced the orientations, worked on
the projects and built strong and trusting relationships with
our local staff. If we did not believe the programs were safe
enough to send our own children to, we would not offer
them.
In the unlikely event that something was to happen,
volunteers have various layers of support that they can go
through (and people who will help them in the case of an
accident).

Placement Staff
Accommodation Managers
IVHQ Program Manager (although we are located in New
Zealand, we are here to help you)
Programs are monitored on an ongoing basis to gauge

volunteers experiences and we are continually improving our
placements and projects through this feedback. The safety
and security of our programs is constantly being reviewed
and if you have any concerns, we encourage you to discuss
these with the local staff during your program orientation.
During orientation, the local staff will also provide guidance

in the area of safety and security. Listed below are some
general safety tips.
Avoid wearing jewelry on the streets especially gold
neck chains or items that would be appealing to would
be thieves.
Handbags are always a temptation. However if you must
carry one, keep it in front of you. A backpack is better.
Be alert.
Always tell someone where you are going before you
attempt long journeys and ensure you are confident
with directions. Be especially careful at night. Use taxi
drivers you know (keep a telephone number) or who
are connected to the place where you are traveling. Our
local staff will recommend some specific drivers during
orientation. If you are unsure, always ask local staff who
to use.
Keep in groups at night and never walk down dark, empty
streets. If possible use transport from door to door after
dark. Keep in mind the recognized tourist areas can be
considered potentially high-risk areas for pickpockets
and thieves.
Leave your valuables behind before a night in town, or
going to the beach.
For traffic safety, keep looking to the left and right and
walk slowly when crossing the road.
Always keep an eye on your drinks when out socializing.
I didnt have any problems with the accommodation. Of course there
were ants, geckos and mosquitos but I didnt expect anything different.
We were living surrounded by forest so its a given that those things
should be there. The food was fantastic!
PAGE 27
RAMUNE SABALIAUSKAITE
Security
Thailand is a relatively safe country comparative to other
developing nations. Theft is a relatively low risk in Thailand,
but snatch-theft on the street and theft from hotel rooms are
not unknown. You are cautioned to make sure that you have
your valuables kept safe, somewhere you can feel them at all
times, especially when you are in crowded market places or
nightclubs. Our local staff will also guide you in orientation
on areas to stay away from. Most tourists in Thailand never
experience any trouble and as long as you stay alert and
use common sense you should not have any problems. Our
local staff will guide you more on safety and security during
orientation. If you are ever unsure of anything just ask the
local staff, they are only too happy to help.
Security Warnings
The following governments publish useful travel advisories,
highlighting entry requirements, medical facilities, areas with
health and safety risks, civil unrest or other dangers, and are
generally very up to date:
dangerous. Always assign at least one person in your group to

remain sober and remember you are in a new environment
and outside of the comfort zone of your home country. Enjoy
your night, but drink responsibly!
Drug Use
It goes without saying that the consumption of illegal and
prescription drugs (if you do not have a prescription for the
drugs), is forbidden on all IVHQ programs. Our local staff
will outline our rules regarding this during your program
orientation, however if a volunteer is caught using illegal
drugs, he/she will be removed from the program immediately
with no refund provided. To consider buying or taking illegal
drugs is extremely foolish and the consequences if caught
are extreme. We do not want our volunteers having their
volunteer holiday turning into life imprisonment in a third
world jail. While we have had no major incidents with
volunteers and consumption of drugs to date, it is important
all volunteers are aware of the consequences, should they be
silly enough to buy or consume any illegal substances.
United States
http://travel.state.gov
Travel Insurance
Canada
www.voyage.gc.ca
United Kingdom
www.fco.gov.uk/travel
Australia
www.smarttraveller.gov.au
New Zealand
www.mft.govt.nz
It is mandatory to purchase travel insurance when

participating on an IVHQ volunteer program. It is inevitable
that things may not always go to plan while you are traveling
and although IVHQ does everything it can to ensure your
trip abroad goes smoothly, it is essential to ensure you have
adequate travel insurance should you fall sick, your bags go
missing, or something is stolen.
Responsible Drinking
While in country on your volunteer trip, it is natural that
yourself and other volunteers will want to socialize and go
out together as a group. This is great and while we encourage
this, it is important to recognize the risks and dangers that
can occur while out partying. 99% of any safety incidences
IVHQ volunteers have experienced while on our programs
have occurred when volunteers have been out drinking.
Please note that drinking is not permitted at the volunteer
headquarters during the week (Monday to Saturday
afternoon), but is permitted in moderation and according
to rules set by the Mirror Foundation visa on Saturday and
Sunday evenings. Drinking alcohol is not permitted at all in
homestays or in the local villages.
Many of our volunteers are at an age where they enjoy
socializing and going out regularly. All we ask is one thing please drink responsibly! It can be exciting to be in a foreign
country - the nightlife is great, the people are different, you
have new friends and it can be easy to get overexcited and
lose control of how much you are drinking. When you are
drunk, you start to lose awareness of your surroundings and
your judgment starts to deteriorate, which can be incredibly
PAGE 28
IVHQ has therefore partnered with travel insurance provider,

World Nomads, to ensure volunteers have access to the
best insurance deals designed specifically with volunteer
travelers in mind. World Nomads are recommended by highly
regarded travel experts, Lonely Planet, and are underwritten
by insurance giants Allianz, IHI, BCS Insurance Group,
BUPA, Mondial Assistance and Millstream. This insurance
covers medical emergencies, emergency evacuation, trip
cancellation, personal belongings and personal liability.
World Nomads quotes are extremely competitive and they
are one of the only insurance companies that allow travelers
to claim whilst traveling, or extend their policy if they decide
to stay longer. Find our more information and obtain a free
no obligation quote from our recommended travel insurance
partner via our Travel Insurance page.
Once you have arranged travel insurance, please enter these
details via My IVHQ.
MIRROR FOUNDATION GUIDES & RULES

In addition to the Thailand Travel Information and IVHQ Volunteer Safety instructions in this booklet, the Mirror
Foundation have a strict set of rules, which are put in place to ensure your safety and protect the community. We ask
that you pay close attention to the rules set out below and understand the necessity to adhere to these.
The Mirror Foundation has many volunteers passing through

its doors, and we must run a tight, albeit relaxed and happy,
ship - to make sure that the important work we carry out in
the communities is not negatively impacted. If a volunteer is
unable to follow our code of conduct, local culture and good
manners, or otherwise disrupts our community life, then we
will have to take appropriate action. In Chiang Rai, we are well
known and respected and many people will recognize you
when you are in town. If you agree to volunteer with Mirror
Foundation, you are agreeing to act in a way that represents
us, both during the working week and also during your free
time in Chiang Rai.
The following information is a way of harmonizing and
integrating everyone during their stay at Mirror. It means
putting your own needs second to ours for a few weeks.
Volunteer Accommodation & Office

Volunteers live in dorms, sometimes with only a couple
of people, sometimes with many. Therefore please be
sure to respect the space, belongings and wishes of the
others sharing your hut. This will enable everyone to
enjoy life here equally.
Males and females sleep in separate dorms, whatever
the relationship.
In respect of Buddhism within the Mirror community,
and for Muslim volunteers, we ask that on your way to/
from showering that you please fully cover yourself.
Please clean up after yourself. This includes the cup you
used in the office as well as the three under your bed.
Keep your belongings in your own area dont spread
onto empty beds, which may have to be used without
your knowledge.
After lights out, and early in the morning, please be
quiet to respect other people sleeping.
Thai people (and probably your roommates too) will be
offended if you do not shower at least once a day. The
climate is hot, even during the cold season days, and you
will sweat a lot. Luckily there is nothing more refreshing
than a bucket shower when youre overheated!
Nothing, other than bodily waste, should go down the
toilets, otherwise you will block the system. Not toilet
paper, sanitary towels or tampons. All this should be put
in a closed plastic bag and thrown in the garbage.
The head is considered holy in Thai culture. Therefore,
dont hang trousers, underwear or socks at the head of
your bed.
PAGE 29
After washing please wring out your clothes well before

hanging them to dry.
If you are going away for the weekend, please clear any
belongings off the floor, and onto your bed.
When you have completed your programme, please roll
your mattress so that the staff know to allocate the bed
to a new volunteer.
Drugs
Around the turn of this century, Mirrors young activists
discovered hilltribe people living in deplorable conditions.
There was terrible poverty, drug abuse, lack of basic rights,
education and healthcare. Many of the staff members have
worked very hard to turn this situation around. We continue
to work very hard on issues such as; gaining Thai citizenship
for stateless people, and the exploitation of the hilltribe
people of northern Thailand. Your behavior either helps our
work, or it works against us.
Chiang Rai was once a wild area and much of it was controlled
by drug trafficking armies. It was a major part of the world
drug trafficking trade. His Majesty the King of Thailand,
among others, has tirelessly worked to change that situation.
Now there is very little drug trafficking or growing in Chiang
Rai. Mirror Foundation also has worked to eliminate drugs
from the villages. This has given the kids a chance to grow up
in a safe environment and has given the villages a chance for
a better future.
Do not use/buy/sell, or even be in the same location as
drugs you will be removed from the program immediately,
without exception and we WILL inform the authorities of any
misuse of drugs by volunteers.
Alcohol, Smoking & Gambling

NO drinking is allowed during the working week (Monday
to Saturday afternoon), either at the foundation or in
town. Moderate drinking onsite is allowed on Saturday
and Sunday evenings in accordance with the rules set by
the Mirror Foundation.
You are NOT allowed to drink, or smoke, in your room.
If you drink in town, do not allow yourself or your
friends to become aggressive, a nuisance, nor a source
of complaints from the community about Mirror
Foundation.
Do not smoke at school or in front of children.
Clean up cigarette butts yourselves and please be
considerate of where your smoke is going.

For your safety and to ensure people respect you, if there
is more than one male drinking together in a group, a
female should not go with them without other female
company.
Gambling is illegal in Thailand. Playing cards are viewed
as tools of gambling, and as such they are not allowed
on the program.
Sex & Relations

Never touch someone of the opposite sex. That isnt
normally done in Thailand unless you know someone
quite well.
When you are meeting new people, please do not hug
them. A wai or hand shake is the correct greeting. The
same applies when saying good-bye.
Amongst volunteers we do not prohibit meaningful
relations, but please do not have sex if your relationship
is not serious. Please remember that we are all trying to
live and work together in harmony, so dont do anything
that puts that at risk.
Be careful - without using condoms there is a very
serious risk of contracting illnesses such AIDS, HIV+, or
many other STDs. Rather be safe than sorry.
Volunteers are prohibited from relations with staff, and

sex with any Hill Tribe person is strictly prohibited. If you
wish to marry a Hill Tribe person and live happily with
them for the rest of your life, then please wait until after
your volunteering period is over.
Do not support the sex industry. Mirror is working to
stop human trafficking. The sex industry is why Hill Tribe
women find themselves enslaved as prostitutes. It is a
main reason why women get AIDS and other diseases.
It is an industry that is relatively small in Chiang Rai but
seems to be growing partly due to foreigners.
Having sex with children is against Thai and International
laws. It is considered a very serious offence and you will
be punished by both Thai law and your own countrys
law.
Prostitution is illegal and not a traditionally accepted
activity. A large prostitution industry has grown in many
parts of Thailand, but it is not healthy for our society and
not something that you as a respected guest should be
a part of.
I enjoyed Friday gatherings with other fellow volunteers. It was hard to
interact with the outdoor team during the week so this was our chance
to talk and hang out. I enjoyed getting to know all the staff members and
having them not only be my friends, but what I considered to be my family.

HANNAH KIM
PAGE 30
IVHQ SOCIAL NETWORK

Social Media
Social media provides an excellent platform for our past, present and future
volunteers to network with each other. As we are unable to give out individual
volunteer details, we manage a number of networks where IVHQ volunteers can
connect with each other before, during and after their volunteer programs.
Join the International Volunteer HQ Facebook group and like our Facebook page
to browse the thousands of photos, videos and travel tips from IVHQ volunteers.
Plus connect with other volunteers on the same program as you. If youre tweeting,
follow @IVHQ on Twitter and keep us posted with your volunteering plans.
Smartphone users may also enjoy browsing the growing library of #IVHQ photos
posted on Instagram. And tune in to our YouTube channel and Pinterest boards to
get an insight into the volunteering experiences waiting for you with IVHQ!
Volunteer Overseas Blog

For volunteer tips, must dos, guest blogs, and more, have a scroll through our
Volunteer Overseas blog!
IVHQ Blog www.volunteeroverseas.com
Volunteer Diaries
If youre keen to share your volunteer experience and have it published on the IVHQ
website, be sure to post a volunteer diary by logging in to your My IVHQ account.
My IVHQ www.volunteerhq.org/user
Newspaper Article - Get Recognized For Your Work

Many IVHQ volunteers choose to share their volunteer trips with local newspapers
and community magazines to help promote awareness of the work they will be
doing and inspire others within their community to volunteer abroad. This means
we are constantly finding stories about IVHQ volunteers in newspapers from all
around the world! Some volunteers also use the media coverage as a way to help
fundraise for their volunteer trips and placements.
If you are interested in gaining recognition for your work and promoting awareness
of volunteering abroad, we encourage you to contact your local newspaper or
community magazine, who in our experience, are generally very interested and
willing to share our volunteers stories.
If you would prefer your IVHQ Program Manager to make the contact and notify the
newspaper/magazine of your upcoming trip, please send us:
The name of the newspaper/magazine
An email address to contact the journalist/editor
We will send them an email informing them of your upcoming trip and contact
details, so they can contact you should they choose to write a story.
PAGE 31
EXTRA LEARNING
Placement Activity Ideas
Books About Thailand
If you are volunteering on a Teaching or Childcare

project, take a look at the Teaching/Childcare Activity
Ideas on our website for activity recommendations
that you can implement at your placement. These
recommendations have been shared by previous IVHQ
volunteers, who have found these to be effective
exercises when working with children.
Lonely Planet Thailand (Country Travel Guide)

China Williams, Mark Beales, Celeste Brash, Alan
Murphy, Brandon Presser, Tim Bewer, Austin Bush
Websites About Thailand
A History of Thailand
Christopher John Baker, Pasuk Phongpaichit
Letters from Thailand: A Novel
Susan Fulop Kepner
Tourism Thailand
www.tourismthailand.org/
Fieldwork
Mischa Berlinski
Lonely Planet
www.lonelyplanet.com/thailand
Sightseeing
Rattawut Lapcharoensap
Rough Guides
www.roughguides.com/destinations/asia/thailand/
Movies About Thailand
Attitude Travel
www.attitudetravel.com/thailand/lowcostairlines/
Rambo (2008) Sylvester Stallone
IVHQ
www.volunteerhq.org/volunteer-in-thailand
Smartphone Apps About Thailand

Thailand Travel Guide Triposo
Thailand Highlights Guide tripwolf
PAGE 32
The Beach (2000) Danny Boyle

Bridget Jones The Edge of Reason (2004) Beeban Kidron
The Hangover 2 (2011) Todd Phillips
Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior (2005) Prachya Pinkaew
Only God Forgives (2013) Nicolas Winding Refn
Beautiful Boxer (2003) Ekachai Uekrongtham
LEARNING THAI
A great way to get a head start before you arrive in Thailand is to learn some basic
Thai. Not only does this help you settle in but it gives you instant respect amonst
the local Thai people for having made an effort before arriving.
A great website that provides downloads to help you learn Thai for free is listed
below:
www.byki.com/fls/thai/thai or http://www.thai-language.com
Basic Words & Phrases
PAGE 33
Hello
sawadee kaa
How are you?
sabai dee reu
Fine thanks
sabai dee
Thank you
kop koon
Thank you very much
kob-khun-maak
Youre welcome
mai pen rai
Never mind
mai pen rai
I cant speak Thai
phoot pah sah Thai mai dai
I dont understand
mai kao jai
Do you understand?
kao jai mai
May I take a photograph?
tai ruup dai mai
Where is the rest room?
hong nam yoo tee nai
How much does this cost?
nee tao-rai
What is this?
nee arai
Very expensive
paeng maak
The bill please
gep taang
Good-bye
la gon
Sorry/excuse me
kor tawt
Yes
chai
No
mai-chai
Please
kor-ru-na
Excuse me
kor-tose/kor-a-nu-yart
Who sells chicken eggs?
krai kai kai kai
See you agian
laew phob gan mai
TERMS AND CONDITIONS

All volunteers agree to the Terms and Conditions of Service of International Volunteer HQ upon submitting their
online application to volunteer with IVHQ.

IVHQ Thailand Information Booklet

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IVHQ THAILAND

THAILAND INFORMATION BOOKLET

THE INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER HQ TEAM

THAILAND COUNTRY INFORMATION

LOCATION AND SIZE

HISTORY OF INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER HQ

HISTORY AND DEMOGRAPHICS

THAILAND TRAVEL INFORMATION

LOCATION OF PROGRAM AND PLACEMENTS

THAI EMBASSIES ABROAD

START AND DURATION OF PROGRAMS

GETTING THERE AND AWAY

GENERAL HEALTH AND VACCINATIONS

CONTACT INFORMATION FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

WHAT ARE THE SPECIFICS OF MY PLACEMENT?

CONTACT INFORMATION FOR VOLUNTEERS

THAILAND WALL PLUGS AND ADAPTERS

CLOTHING AND CULTURE

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE

WHATS HAPPENING IN THAILAND?

CULTURE AND CUSTOMS

PROGRAM FEE PAYMENT

PROGRAM FEE PAYMENT VIA IVHQ

GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS

THAILAND INFORMATION BOOKLET

IVHQ SOCIAL NETWORK

GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR VOLUNTEER

VOLUNTEER OVERSEAS BLOG

WILL I MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

WHERE DO MY FEES GO?

PLACEMENT ACTIVITY IDEAS

RESPONSIBLE VOLUNTEER TRAVEL

WEBSITES ABOUT THAILAND

SMARTPHONE APPS ABOUT THAILAND

IVHQ RESPONSIBLE VOLUNTEER TRAVEL POLICY

BOOKS ABOUT THAILAND

CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK

MOVIES ABOUT THAILAND

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

BASIC WORDS AND PHRASES

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

MIRROR FOUNDATION GUIDES AND RULES

VOLUNTEER ACCOMMODATION AND OFFICE

ALCOHOL, SMOKING AND GAMBLING

SEX AND RELATIONS

THAILAND INFORMATION BOOKLET

NEWSPAPER ARTICLE - GET RECOGNIZED FOR YOUR

THE IVHQ THAILAND TEAM

The Mirror Foundation

The IVHQ Thailand Program Manager is Margarete Lua

IVHQs partner organization in Thailand is Mirror Foundation.

IVHQ Thailand Program Manager

Thailand Volunteer Coordinator

Alternative Mirror Foundation Contact

THAILAND INFORMATION BOOKLET

THAILAND INFORMATION BOOKLET

Purchase travel insurance

This booklet has been developed by the team

It is mandatory for all volunteers to purchase travel

Send us your information

Pay your program fees

We have emailed you with a list of information we

At least one month before your program start date,

Book your flights as soon as possible, as this will