Volunteering with Elephants in Thailand

When volunteering with elephants in Thailand, Surin, you can help protect these majestic animals. Many elephants that were previously used in the timber industry are now on display in cities to beg for money. The elephants urgently need your work as animal rights activists in order to be treated better and with dignity.

Groom elephants in Surin

Volunteer with Elephants in Thailand, Surin with IKPVA. Experience Thailand from a local perspective & make lifelong friends. Check it out, it is a wonderful experience, and our fees are among the cheapest!

Join the centuries old tradition of training ‘domestic’ elephants by mahouts in Thailand.

The volunteer program aims to offer a responsible and sustainable alternative to the fate often faced by elephants in Thailand. Because of the dissolution of the logging industry, many elephants are taken to urban areas to beg for money and are often mistreated. Therefore, our elephant wildlife program continues to lead the way in Surin in helping to change attitudes towards elephant care for the better.

Help care for the elephants and support the local community

Since all the activities are about caring for the elephants and treating them with respect, we put our strict no riding policy. Therefore, on your work schedule you will walk the elephants through the river and bathe them. Moreover, you will plant and harvest food for the elephants and also feed them. Since we put the elephants in the first place, we base everything around a new approach to elephant care.

Volunteer with Elephants in Thailand - Project Details

  • The program fee is paid directly to the host organization.
  • A registration fee of $ 149.00 will be added to the program fee for all projects.
What is included in the animal welfare project fee?
Airport Pickup
Orientation
Guided Bangkok tour
Accommodation for all projects
Daily transfer to and from the volunteer project location
Meals are included in some programs; while others are self-catering, please budget at least US$ 15 per day
Full ongoing support from local staff & Program supervision
In-country 24/7 support throughout your stay
In-country administration costs
Donation to support the local project
No hidden costs
There are no hidden costs. Our programs to volunteer in Thailand are highly affordable and have the best cost x benefit than any other.

Iko Poran is an NGO based in a developing country. We are dedicated to helping you help others, at the cheapest possible price. One of our goals is to offer cheap volunteer programs in Thailand so that more people can help to do really important work.

Participants in our cheap volunteer programs in Thailand normally find US$ 100 to be sufficient for weekly expenses in the country, including meals but please bring more if you intend to travel at weekends, explore the country more.

The program fee should be paid to the host country and it is due 30 days before the project start date.
Start Dates & Arrival
Our elephant volunteer program in Thailand usually starts on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of each month.

Elephant experience available from 1 to 4 weeks.

Arrival airport: Bangkok international airport, Suvarnabhumi – BKK.
Accomodation and meals
Accommodation is provided for all programs. Please check the specific of your program to verify how much you should budget for food.

Meals are included whilst at the village – please budget around $10-15 USD per day when you’re not at the village.

Surin, in the Northeast, is often called the heart of Thailand; well known for its beautiful scenery and friendly local community. Sanghklaburi, in the Northwest of Thailand – on the border with Burma, is surrounded by stunning lakes, rolling mountains and dense rainforest – provides ample opportunity for you outdoorsy types.

Local guides can also take you on fabulous treks through the jungle visiting beautiful waterfalls and awe-inspiring caves.
Requirements
You must be at least 18 years old at the start of your volunteer placement.

All volunteers must have adequate volunteer travel insurance and are required to provide a criminal background check to IKPVA prior to travelling.

Most projects do not have pre-requisites or specific requirements; however, we do ask that anyone wishing to participate in the medical programme has qualified, is studying towards or is serious about a career in healthcare.
Language Requirements
Fluency in English is required in all the projects.
Safety
You will have a competent support and advice from the local team and project leaders. There will always be a member of the local team working with you at the projects. The local coordinators will give you all the information to have a safe and unforgettable experience.

Wildlife Volunteering - Testimonials

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