Marine Conservation in Thailand

  Thailand

Rural Areas

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: multiple dates

Description: Be part of it with i-to-i!
Our goal is to achieve 400yrs of combined volunteering all over the world by the end of 2008.

So far we have achieved 325yrs which when broken down means we achieved the following:

- Over 5500 children cared for on our community projects around the world
- A minimum of 13,000 children and adults taught English in schools and community centres
- Hundreds of animals protected including Turtles, Pandas, Elephants, Monkeys and more
- At least 80 homes and structures built for families and communities in need
- More than 8000 trees planted which are enough trees to offset the CO2 emissions of over 2,000 cars

Want to dip your toe in Thailand's waters?

This is a great chance to work on a valuable Marine research project in just about the most popular travel destination in the world. Thailand has everything you could ask for so there's no need to buy a ticket to anywhere else; saving money that can be better spent on bowls of fried rice and traditional Thai Iced tea! The project carries out research work on marine and coastal resources such as fisheries, coral reefs, sea grass and mangroves in order to better understand the conservation needs of the area. This location is almost untouched by mainstream tourism and you can still enjoy watching traditional Thai life here. If you can drag yourself off of the white sands, there are a host of more energetic things to do from yachting, snorkelling and scuba diving to exploring the islands in the Gulf.

Find out more about i-to-i, watch their short video here: http://video.i-to-i.com/site-videos/video.html

Highlights: Project details:
The Marine and Coastal research centre was established in 2002. The main objective is to carry out research work on marine and coastal resources, including biological and ecological studies of corals, sea-grasses, mangroves, marine organisms and endangered marine life. Environmental assessments have been carried out to determine the current status and develop a strategy to conserve the conservation area.

The project employs approximately 50 people and is divided into 5 research units: Environmental and red tide phenomenon, coral, sea-grass and mangrove, marine endangered species and marine and coastal resources exploration and assessment.

Why the project needs volunteers:
Although this is a government funded project, there is a lack of personnel to carry out the breadth and depth of research for the project. Volunteers can also help project staff with their English to help convey the important message of protecting the marine environment. During the months of November to February, due to the weather, the work will be mainly office based and also involve looking after the turtles.

Your role as a volunteer:
The project is an amazing opportunity to get hands on involvement with a government funded marine project. Volunteers can help with all aspects from assisting Thai staff on each research unit as well as other project activities such as taking care of sea turtles, assisting with the PR and translation of project releases and responding to rescue calls of endangered species.

Where the project is based:
These projects are based in the coastal town of Chumpon, in the south of Thailand. The nearest village to food and drinks is about 5km, there are small corner shops near by (a few minutes motorbike ride). Bars and restaurants are also about 5km (10km to where other i-to-i Vols are staying). An ideal excursion is to one of the islands such as Koh Samui for a weekend break.

Please book your flight to arrive into Bangkok (airport code BKK) on the advertised arrival date to ensure your airport pickup.

Qualifications: What kind of skills you need to go on this type of project:
You do not need to have any specific training, just an interest in marine life. If you have a PADI certificate there may be the opportunity to do dive work and take excursions for research and collection of new species, although we recommend you bring your own wetsuit. Although you do not need any specialised knowledge we would recommend that you do some research about the marine life off the coast of Thailand.

Cost in US$: US$ 1690.00 for 4 weeks, US$ 200.00 for every week thereafter

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Volunteers can help with all aspects from assisting Thai staff on each research unit as well as other project activities such as taking care of sea turtles, assisting with the PR and translation of project releases and responding to rescue calls of endangered species.

Age Range: 18 and over

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Thailand Independently Or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network

i-to-i Meaningful Travel's Mission Statement: Founded in 1994, i-to-i is an award-winning organization providing unique opportunities for you to travel, work and live abroad. Thousands of travelers aged 18 to 80 have joined our volunteer vacations and over 15,000 have learned to Teach English as a Foreign Language through our tailor-made TEFL courses. With over 300 projects on 4 continents, you can join the worldwide i-to-i volunteer community on an extended adventure in areas such as teaching, community development, sports coaching, conservation, building or internships in tourism, marketing, journalism, or health.

Year Founded: 1994