Thailand
Overview
Full of attractions, from the mountains in the north to the beaches on the Andaman Sea to the congested capital of Bangkok and Bohemian mecca of Chiang Mai, Thailand draws more visitors than any other Southeast Asian country. History and tradition live side by side in the Buddhist temples, historical ruins, mystical mountains, and penchant for seriously spicy food.
Thailand’s name in the Thai language is Prathet Thai, which means “Land of the Free.” It is the only country in Southeast Asia that was never colonized by a European nation. Thailand currently supplies about a third of global rice exports and one-tenth of all animal species on Earth live in Thailand.
Chiang Mai
Home to over 300 temples and 400,000 people, Chiang Mai is one of Thailand’s largest and most important cities. Located in the mountainous north, 500 miles from Bangkok, it was constructed in 1296 as a city square with moats marking its boundaries, giving it a quirky, mythic character. Agriculture is the mainstay of the local economy, with tourism a close second.
It’s considered cool if the weather dips below 15°C (60°F). Even the rainy season (May- October) is warm, with temperatures hovering around 25°C (80°F). The hot season can see a blistering, humid 40°C (105°F) at midday, but averages just 30°C (85°F). Don’t forget a light raincoat.
Social and Development Issues
Since 1997, Thailand has been a country in flux. A financial crisis led to bankruptcies and high unemployment. With a history of political coups, a newly elected civilian government is aiming for stability. The country is still rebuilding its economy making strides in integrating agriculture and industry. A large-scale sex industry flourishes, but Thailand is making efforts to combat it with cheaper prescription drugs and enforcing laws more consistently.
Projects
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Volunteer Abroad
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Teach Classes in English and ComputersPolitical unrest in Burma has uprooted more than a million people and created large numbers of economic and political refugees, Thailand is a reluctant host for many of these...
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Description and Impact One of Thailand’s iconic animals, elephants needs lots of room to roam. Unsustainable tourism has created widespread environmental problems in...
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Protect Girls and Women at Risk for Trafficking and AbuseThailand’s international sex trade wreaks havoc in the lives of young girls and women. Despite recent government efforts to reduce it, sexual exploitation is too...
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Thailand's government-run schools are underfunded and underresourced. Students rarely meet or speak to native English speakers. ProWorld Thailand volunteers support these schools...
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Buddhism is a central part of Thai life and culture. Temples are the center of every Thai community, in part because they provide educational opportunities for poor and...
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The Hmong are an ethnic minority in Thailand and are more likely to be socially sidelined or impoverished. This ProWorld program offers shelter and education to more than 90...
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Experience Community-Guided HealthcareMeet local health care professionals. Learn basic Thai and see how a holistic healthcare system works in the rural areas of a developing country. ProWorld’s...
Intern Abroad
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Description and Impact Thailand provides free healthcare to all members of the public and immigrants as such there is a focus on providing both excellent preventative care and...
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Support a News Agency as they Report on Local Politics and Human Rights IssuesDescription and Impact The residents of the Shan state of Burma are denied their rights to freedom of speech by the military government. The government has had trouble controlling...
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In poverty-stricken areas, the oldest and the youngest members of society are often forgotten. This organization seeks to improve the quality of life for older people by...
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Description and Impact While the Thai government provides health to all citizens, there are still siginificant gaps in the care provided, many groups in particular women and...
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Description and Impact Many people living in rural areas in Thailand suffer from diseases and medical conditions can be easily prevented and addressed with early detection. Health...
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Build schools and communities in Northern ThailandMany families in Northern Thailand lack basic education, healthcare, and life skills. A little education can turn this around. It’s nearly impossible to break...
Study Abroad
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Based just outside the bustling capital of Bangkok, ProWorld’s semester program places students directly at Mahidol University, where you can choose from diverse courses...
Available Programs
Country Snapshot
Watch Webinar
David R Thailand - Chiang MaiMy friends in Thailand have shown me the importance of showing undeserved kindness, generosity, and the importance of being calm in the utmost adverse of times. These are things I will be attempting to incorporate in my lifestyle permanently.