Developing a network of natural caves into an Eco-Tourist site

  Thailand

• All Other Areas in Thailand: 
Hat Yai

Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: August 23 - September 7

Description: Due to the lack of activities and tourist infrastructure, the young generations often leave the countryside to go to the big cities or the capital. Most of the District offices try to stimulate the development of eco-tourism in their region when potentially interesting spots can be found, to give the youth the chance to stay in their region of origin. It's the case of the Phattalung district and the head of the Klon La village, in cooperation with the local eco-tourism club.

Among the beauties surrounding the village, we can find a network of wonderful natural caves lying in a beautiful but fragile nature. It is known and visited by few locals only. The partners involved want to develop information about it, build infrastructures to sensitize the population and visitors about environmental protection and structure a trekking circuit. They count on the volunteers to support the initiative.

The program will involve three volunteer groups taking part in different time periods:
In the first project (August 23 - September 7), the volunteers will trace the path connecting the major caves together and work on the infrastructures of the starting point.

The second group (September 13 - September 28) will create information panels and signs, build garbage bins in natural material to keep the site clean, and will also give few English language lessons to the stakeholders of the eco-club.

The third project (October 4 - October 19) will continue to work on the information related to the path and caves, create descriptive brochures in several languages and draw maps of each of the caves.

Leisure time will be organized by the volunteers with the support of the group leader. The region is full of nice places to visit during the free time. Nature is everywhere and very beautiful there. The nearby city isn't that close.

Location: Phatthalung Province, South of Thailand. Klong La village is about 45 km from Phattalung city, itself being at about 1150 km south of Bangkok and about 150 km north of Hat Yai city.

There is an extra fee of 6,500 Thai Baht (about USD 170) for participation in this project, intended to support the local host.

Highlights: The volunteers will learn about the environmental specificity of the region and how the site was used by the local population through the ages.

Qualifications: Nature lovers will enjoy this project.

Cost in US$: USD 290

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Motivated to work voluntarily within an international team, tolerant, open-minded and cooperative person with adventurous spirit.

Age Range: 18 and over

This Program is open to American and Canadian Participants.

Participants Travel to Thailand Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups

CADIP - Canadian Alliance for Development Initiatives and Projects's Mission Statement: CADIP promotes peace, cooperation, tolerance and understanding in international, multi-ethnic, multi-cultural surroundings. The organization also promotes patterns and examples of civil activities focused on serving others, on building social ties and strengthening communities, on supporting civil society development. Aims and general objectives: * To promote volunteering as an expression of civic contribution * To strengthen the international contacts among young people * To build tolerance and understanding in multicultural and multi-ethnic surroundings *To promote multiunderstanding among youth all over the world * To facilitate the individual growth of the volunteers through the acquisition of work, life and learning skills * To work for the recognition and promotion of non-formal learning * To support the community initiatives and assist in community development.