Thailand: Plastic Pollution and Conservation

Introduction

Plastic pollution is one of several environmental threats facing this region in Southern Thailand.This program contributes to local conservation of this area and globally to Sustainable Development Goals #14 Life Below Water, and #14, Life On Land, as set by the United Nations.

Throughout the project, get to know fellow international participants, and gain in-depth insight into what life is like in southern Thailand, from traveling by Songthaew, a local shared taxi service, to exploring Thai cuisine with every meal. During your free time, visit the popular tourism destination of Phuket or go island hopping around Phang Nga.

Daily Life

The main focus of this program will be minimizing the effects of plastic pollution through conducting and promoting regular beach cleans, collecting and analyzing data on coastal and marine debris, as well as promoting plastic pollution awareness and environmentally friendly behaviors in the local community and among international visitors.

Activities will include:

• Cleaning beaches
• We participate in Mangrove cleans along with working to monitor and assess tourist behavior and impact on the environment in these areas. This involves traveling through the mangroves by boat, canoe or foot to monitor fish and wildlife, while also cleaning up rubbish.
• Leading environmental education classes at local schools, beach/park clean ups etc.
• Conducting biodiversity surveys for our partners in the national parks and on 2 diverse islands, including setting up camera traps and collecting pictures.
• Bird & Butterfly surveys
• Conducting species identification, assisting local staff at a turtle centre by cleaning tanks, leading behaviour enrichment surveys, and collecting morphological data on turtles, to identify infections they may have
• From November to March you might also get involved in coral reef health and fish abundance and species surveys while snorkeling on the coast of Phang Nga

Travel & Accommodation

Accommodation & Food 

Dorm style rooms, with en-suite bathrooms and running cold water. The maximum number of volunteers per room is 6 and may be mixed gender. Participants share all base duties, including cleaning the common area and the resource room and other daily chores. Drinking water will be provided. All meals are included and some may be prepared for you by the village cook. 

Health & Hygiene:

The work we contribute to across the globe remains important and new measures allow our participants to continue to join our programs and continue impacting positively on their world and the communities we work with. Changes to our existing protocols have been made by our health and hygiene team to strengthen our health and hygiene protocols and ensure that international standard safeguards are in place to protect our participants, staff and host communities. Please inquire for more information on the protocols. 

Travel:

Local field staff are a great source of information for sightseeing activities. Weekends are free for you to explore the beautiful sights and beaches of Thailand, the possibilities are endless! 

Requirements

• Minimum age 18
• Be keen and enthusiastic to get involved in the project
• Ability to work within a team environment
• Minimum 1 weeks commitment
• CRB Police check (or equivalent) showing that you have no previous criminal convictions
• Signed medical form
• Good English skills
• Necessary vaccinations
• Necessary flight & visas
• Full travel & medical insurance. Full assistance will be provided in getting everything you will need ready if you choose our Placement Support Package.

Prices

• 1 week – £1,995
• 2 weeks – £2,345
• 4 weeks – £2,995
• 6 weeks – £3,695
• 8 weeks – £4,295
• 10 weeks – £5,045
• 12 weeks – £5,695

* Check the latest currency conversions with xe.com
** All payments incur a 5% bank transfer fee
*** Placements are confirmed with a 20% deposit.

What’s Included:

Project Fee includes;

• 24-hour emergency phone
• 24-hour in-country support
• Access to Alumni Services and Discounts
• Food
• Accommodation
• Airport pickup
• Online program training before program start date:
  • Pre Departure Orientation (1 Hour)
  • Program Specific Training (1-5 Hours) 
  • OPTIONAL: Marine Conservation Online Course (10 – 15 Hours)
• In-country support
• All project activities

What’s not included:

• Additional drinks and gratuities
• Extra local excursions
• Flights
• International and domestic airport taxes
• Medical and travel insurance
• Personal items and toiletries
• Police or background check
• Visa costs (where necessary)

Full assistance will be provided in getting all these arranged if you choose our Premium Support.

Premium Support Upgrade

We understand there’s a great deal to plan and organise for your trip. When booking a Placement, many of our participants choose to purchase our Premium Support Upgrade to benefit from the expertise, knowledge and experience of our Project Coordinators.

We can provide the personal advice you need to ensure your trip is organised with excellence and planned with efficiency; ensuring the very best experience possible. Read more about how we can help you.