Free one day a week but not necessarily the weekend. On your days off you can use a nearby spa resort which organises pick ups from the center, it has a nice swimming pool, Thai massage etc or go to the nearby beaches at Hua Hin and Cha am. There are also national parks nearby where trekking is possible. Days off can be coordinated, so you can spend free time with your friends.
There is a local village (10 mins walk) where volunteers can buy noodles, crisps, soda, beer fruit juices etc and there are also very good places to buy Thai food. There are three internet cafes in the village with good facilities and there is a night market every Sunday where food, clothing and other goods can be bought.
All volunteers stay at the accommodation at the center. The accommodation is in simple same gender bungalows within the centre (exceptions for families, friends and couples). Each bungalow has its own (European style) toilet and cold shower and are mainly either two or three bedded. There are hot showers available in a communal bathroom area if needed during your stay. All rooms have a fan. The rooms are cleaned weekly, however, we ask all volunteers to look after their own space and keep your personal area tidy. A positive attitude towards group living and teamwork is essential.
We have a main volunteer house where many volunteers hang out and socialize. Free use of Wi-Fi is available in the Elephant Kitchen. There is also an area for smokers. The volunteers usually organize outings like going to the night market in Hua Hin once a week, as well as some trips to the national park. There is a notice board where you can sign up for activities and shared taxis.
There is an onsite laundry where volunteers change their bedding on a weekly basis for free, and they can take items of clothing, (except underwear), to be cleaned at a set price of 7 Baht per item.
There is a telephone in the office where emergency international phone calls can come in or local calls can be made. This is only for emergencies and incoming calls should only be made during working hours at the center. It is highly recommended that volunteers bring a mobile phone (unlocked) with them as they can purchase Thai SIM cards cheaply from the shops in the local village along with mobile phones for as little as 1000 Baht.
The volunteer organisation offers different pick-up options in different locations. Your travel advisor can help you request a transfer that best fits your needs, and fill all necessary transfer information in a disclaimer form. You are then required to sign this disclaimer to agree that the information given is correct. In case you miss your pick-up, you will anyhow be charged in full. The terms and conditions are included in the template that lists the allocated pick-up times, costs and pick-up points. The template also includes the contact information for our coordinators, such as email addresses and phone numbers.
Arrival Transfer Times & Costs (Paid locally)
Bangkok (International Suvarnabhumi Airport) between 06:00 and 14:00 - 2200 Baht
Bangkok (International Don Mueng Airport) between 06:00 and 14:00 - 2200 Baht
Bangkok (Hotel) between 06:00 and 14:00 - 2200 Baht
Cha Am between 06:00 and 16:00 - 400 Baht
Hua Hin between 06:00 and 16:00 - 700 Baht
Petchaburi between 06:00 and 16:00 - 800 Baht
The costs are per taxi that can seat up to 3 passengers.
It's highly recommended to book the arrival transfer from a Bangkok hotel at 09:00 and from Hua Hin, Petchaburi and Cha Am at 10:00. This gives you enough time to arrive at your project, settle in and be ready to start the orientation tour at 13:45.
Departure
If you have an early morning flight from Bangkok, you need to book your last night in Bangkok (your own cost), as it’s not possible to get back to Bangkok in time for an early departure.
On your day of departure you need to leave your room by 09:00 but you are welcome to stay at the project until late afternoon, if you want to spend a few hours taking photos of the animals.
Three meals a day are provided. The volunteers can prepare their own breakfast with the available food - coffee, tea, bread, jam, butter, milk, eggs and seasonal fruit are always available. If anything is empty and finished, volunteers can replace it from the communal container, or inform the house co-ordinator that more is required. Other breakfast items such as cereal, yoghurt, juice etc. can be purchased in the village, Hua Hin, Cha Am, or at the supermarket in Petchaburi. Lunch and dinner are freshly prepared by our Thai cooks, and are predominantly traditional and local Thai. However, we do also have Western cuisine nights.
At all meal times there are clearly labeled ‘meat’, ‘vegetarian’ and ‘vegan’ options, but special dietary requirements have to be discussed before confirming. Clean drinking water is also provided in a number of locations on site. There is a bar area where drinks like smoothies can be bought and serve alcohol 3 nights a week for volunteers who are 18+.
What to Bring
Bring a head torch, work clothes and mosquito repellant.
Working gloves are recommended when harvesting food for the elephants, and essential when composting.
High-factor sun-cream/sunglasses are recommended when harvesting in the fields.
