Work for children and explore Thailand for 3 days
Mini-Venture in Thailand offer participants a chance to contribute to the knowledge-hungry children of Thailand's primary schools – teaching subjects such as conversational English as well as participating in creative games, teaching art and other extracurricular activities.
Once participants have contributed to the lives of these eager children, they will embark on a 4-day journey – exploring Thailand's wonder-filled cities such as Bangkok and Kanchburi as well as visit giant Buddha statues and the Khao San Road (a famous hangout for backpackers).
- Project: Mini Venture
- Start Dates: 1 st & 3 rd Mondays of each month
- Arrival/Departure Point: Suvarnabhumi International in Bangkok
- Accommodation/Meals: Host family/hostel and Thai food three times a day
- Activities: Check the itinerary
- Work Hours: 25-30 hours a week
Proposed Schedule:
Day 0:
Airport receive, apartment/hostel transfer, rest
Day 1:
Orientation at the office of Global Crossroad and a visit Ayuthaya, the earlier capital of Thailand to see the ruins of nearly 600 years old temples; travel past rice paddies and lunch in a local restaurant.
The ancient city of Ayutthaya or Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, the Thai capital for 417 years from 1350 until 1767, is one of Thailand's major tourist attractions. Many ancient ruins and historical art works can be seen in this old capital which was founded in 1350 by King U-Thong and 33 Kings of different dynasties ruled the Kingdom before it was invaded and destroyed by the Burmese in 1767. The old capital city was as big as contemporary London and had diplomatic ties of several European countries.
Day 2:
Drive to project site, introduction to local staff, go around the town area to see bus station and internet cafes, go to the apartment/host family and rest.
Day 3-13:
Volunteers will work with the children in primary schools and day-care centers and teach them simple conversational English, play games, draw pictures, and render other related help as requested by local organizations. Evening time (after 4 pm) is free and volunteers can explore the surrounding areas on their own.
Explore and Experience Thailand (2 days)
Day 14:
Trip to Bangkok. Visit Grand Palace and temple of Emerald Buddha, Wat Pho and Khao San road, etc.
The Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaeo (Chapel of the Emerald Buddha)
The Grand Palace, where the past Kings of Chakri dynasty lived, is a highly detailed building and contains smaller compounds within the grounds. The palace grounds also include a treasure house of Thai arts (longest wall painting in the world) and the most revered Buddha image i.e. Emerald Buddha (biggest single piece of jade of the world) in Thailand. Everyday, 7,000-10,000 people visit the palace.
Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha)
This large and extensive temple neighbors the Grand Palace enclave (a 5 minute walk) and contains a gigantic gold plated Reclining Buddha some 46 meters long and 15 meters high and with mother-of-pearl soles.
Khao San Road
This is a famous hang out for back packers. It can be an interesting place to watch the world go by and there are cheap restaurants, guest houses and cafes scattered in between stalls along the streets which are selling a variety of tourist trinkets.
Day 15:
Trip to Kanchaburi and visit Bridge of River Kwai, War Museum and Erawan Waterfall
Kanchanaburi is one of the most beautiful provinces of Thailand, with a very delightful landscape. It is already well-known among War-historians and movie-buffs as the site of the notorious "Death Railway" and the "Bridge over the River Khwai" and among archaeologists for its Neolithic burial grounds. Yet, the province also has numerous other places of interest for the nature loving visitors who may want to spend longer time here. Kanchanaburi is about 128 kilometers west of Bangkok approximately 2-3 hour's car drive over a good road.
The Bridge over the River Kwai
This famous bridge is located about 4 kilometers from T.A.T. Office, on the bank of Khwai Yai river. It was brought from Java by the Japanese Army and was assembled at the River Kwai by the war prisoners. Bombed several times in 1945, it was rebuilt after the war again. The curved spans of the bridge are the original divs. An estimated 16,000 war prisoners and 49,000 impressed laborers died during the construction of the bridge and the Death-Railway line that leads to Burma.
Jeath War Museum
JEATH stands for Japan, England, America, Australia, Thailand and Holland. The museum is a reconstructed p.o.w.s. (The prisoners of war in the second world war during 1942-1943) thatched detention hut. Living quarters inside comprise raised bamboo bunks running the length of the long hut. One can see how each p.o.w. was allotted a scrimping living space on the bunks. On the walls of the huts are posted actual, enlarged photos and illustrations of the "atrocities" against the prisoners, and the severe living conditions of the p.o.w.s. The museum is on the bank of the Mae Klong River inside Wat (Monastery) Chai Chumphon.
Erawan Waterfall
About 65 km from Kanchanaburi along the Route 3199, this 550-square-kilometre national park is the site of the 7-tiered Erawan Waterfall, widely regarded as one of Thailand's loveliest cascades. A mountainside forest setting includes dense bamboo groves which support numerous bird species. The other attraction in the park is the spectacular Prathat Cave which contains monumental stalagmites. Bungalow accommodation and camping facilities are available.
*The proposed itinerary is a sample and is subject to change to meet the changes in the local field conditions.