Special Events and Public Parks Development Project

  Thailand

• Chiang Mai: 
Chiang Mai

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: Service begins on every 1st and 3rd Monday of the month.

Description: Our volunteers serve within the division of Public parks, landscape development and special event planning of Chiang Mai City Hall. Volunteers assist and work alongside city officials, grounds keepers and horticulturalists from 8:00am  4:00 pm (Monday  Friday). Due to serving within the sphere of Chiang Mai City Hall, volunteers will be invited to take part in many activities that include the city officials. There are two tracks of volunteer service in this project.

Track one is working with development and maintenance of the public parks and green spaces of Chiang Mai and special event planning, preparation, set up and clean up. The City of Chiang Mai has nine public parks and a historic moat that surrounds the old city. Volunteers will serve in beautifying (planting and keeping up flowers and plants) these areas to increase the appearance of the city. Chiang Mai has many public holiday celebrations (parades, shows, special holiday customs, etc) and special events that occur within their yearly calendar. Volunteers will assist in the planning, preparation and operation of the special events.

Track two is assisting in research and upkeep of Chiang Mai's old and historic trees, many of which are located in and amongst the ruins of the old city. Chiang Mai City is 710 years old. It has many special and historic trees that need upkeep, attention and care. Research is also needed in what types of new plant species and horticultural techniques can be utilized in beautifying the city.

Please note that volunteers are able to serve in both tracks within this project, so long as they spend at least the minimum of two weeks in each one. Due to weather, special events and situation, volunteers may not be able to serve in the track they request. Sometimes the needs in one track will overflow into the other.

Thai (and Chiang Mai) holidays:

New Years - Dec.31st  January 1st
The Chiang Mai Flower Festival  February
Thai New Year (Songkran)  mid-April
Inthakin (a local Chiang Mai holiday)  May
Mother's Day  August
Loy Krathong (a popular Thai holiday)  the evening of the full moon in November
Father's Day (the King's birthday)  December 5th

Highlights:
Local Activities and Excursions

Besides temple gazing at Chiang Mai's more than 300 Buddhist temples (wat); there are many different optional activities that volunteers are encouraged to take part in during breaks or after completion of their volunteer service to increase their travel experience and knowledge of Thailand. All courses and activities use English as the medium of communication. If a volunteer is interested in taking part in one of the activities listed below, make note of this in your volunteer application so arrangements can be made prior to arrival.

Thai cooking courses

All courses consist of a student to instructor ratio of nine to one, or less. The course programs allow for at least five different traditional Thai dishes made per lesson. All courses are located in Chiang Mai. Courses are six hours long and consist of a local market tour by the instructors to purchase the ingredients for the course. Volunteer Visions will organize an optional Thai cooking course for an additional fee of:

One day course: $35.00
Two day course: $62.00

Thai Massage Courses

The owner of the massage school is a very kind woman who appreciates the service our volunteers do in Thailand. For that reason she has gives our volunteers discounted prices, which are listed below.

The one day courses are offered on Saturdays and can be studied on weekends or holidays during volunteer service. Volunteer Visions will organize an optional after service, or during service weekend massage course for an additional program fee of:

$45.00 Basics of Thai body massage- 1 day (6 hours total).
$42.00 Traditional Thai Body Balancing Exercise- 1 day (6 hours total).
The longer 2-10 day massage courses can be studied during a holiday (3 day) weekend or after the volunteer has completed their volunteer service. Volunteer Visions will organize an optional after service massage course for volunteers for an additional program fee of:

$80.00 Foot massage- 2 days (12 hours total).
$70.00 Oil massage- 2 days (12 hours total).
$110.00 - Thai massage- 3 days (18 hours total).
$140.00 Thai massage- 10 days (60 hours total).

* Please note that the Thai massage school that offers our volunteers the discounted prices listed above is closed on Sundays.

* After a day of service, Volunteer Visions will be happy to point volunteers in the right direction to where they can receive an incredible one hour Thai massage for roughly six dollars!

Jungle Treks

Jungle treks allow volunteers, especially those who have service sites in a city, to experience more of Thailand's nature. There are a few different jungle treks to choose from. All treks are all-inclusive (including food and lodging) for the time the volunteer is on the trek. Most treks include stops in remote hill tribe villages, rafts and elephant training areas. Volunteer Visions will organize an optional jungle trek, after service, for an additional program fee of:

$40.00 - 2 days/1 night
$55.00 3 days/2 nights

Please note that occasionally, due to weather, holidays, timing of service programs and secondary activities, some activities maybe canceled, or unavailable at the time a volunteer would like to participate. If this occurs a full refund of the additional program fee will be given to the volunteer before they complete their volunteer experience, or the activity will be rescheduled for another time when the volunteer is able to participate.

Qualifications: The minimum age for volunteers in this project is 18. Volunteers do not need any specific qualifications, but should be able-bodied, enjoy working outside and flexible to change. Decisions on events in Chiang Mai City Hall are sometimes made at the last minute which requires a great amount of flexibility and understanding for all involved.

Cost in US$: 2 weeks $695

In the two day orienation before a volunteer begins their service, we cover sessions on Thai culture, Thai History, Safety and Security, Half day city tour, Cultural dinner and show.

Accommodation:

You will be placed in either a homestay family of one of the employees of Chiang Mai City Hall or in a shared apartment with other volunteers. If you have a specific request, or prefer a private accommodation, please state your preferences in the application form. Based on the location of your placement and your accommodation, you might have to commute daily by public transportation or bicycle.

Food:

All volunteers are invited to join the employees of Chiang Mai City Hall for lunch every work day. Volunteers staying in a shared apartment are responsible for their own breakfast and dinner. Special diet requirements or restrictions can easily be accommodated. There are several excellent vegetarian restaurants within Chiang Mai.

Pick-up Info:

A Volunteer Visions representative will be waiting for you at your arrival point and guide you to your accommodation and project location.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Volunteers with us here at Volunteer Visions Thailand are individuals that love traveling, working outside and experiencing new things.

Age Range: 18 up

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and World Wide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Thailand Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 2

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post Services Include:

• Exit DebriefingAbroad

Volunteer Visions Thailand's Mission Statement: Volunteer Visions offers project placements throughout the world to individuals who seek adventure, cultural immersion and have the desire to make a difference. Our projects are aimed at identifying areas in need and using direct voluntary action to create self-sustainable communities. Volunteer Visions is based upon the idea that through your visions, you can reach out to low-resourced communities and create tangible results. By donating your time and energy and working with communities at a grass roots level you can create immediate and lasting impacts on both individuals and communities. Volunteer Visions is committed to providing the most affordable volunteer abroad opportunities in the world.

Year Founded: 2007