Delve into Thailand's Hidden Gems
Your Gap Year in Thailand
A Country of Sacred Temples
Thailand is a tropical paradise, with a coastline like no other, serene Buddhist temples and the vibrant cityscape of Bangkok. It’s easy to see why Thailand is one of the first places that comes to mind when you think of a gap year.
But despite well-developed cities and a thriving tourist economy, Thailand’s northern rural communities are being left behind. While the urban areas grow, the disadvantages in rural areas and among ethnic minorities are becoming more pronounced.
Join our efforts to empower Thailand’s disadvantaged rural communities, inspire change and be part of something bigger by supporting our sustainable solutions to development.
Volunteering in Thailand
Programme Overview
GapGuru Thailand gives you the chance to explore Thailand’s hidden gems off the beaten tourist track, immerse yourself in the local culture, and make a difference. You’ll be based at our hub in Mae Sariang, supporting the FutureSense Foundation with long-term sustainable development projects.
During your time at our hub, you’ll run activities with local learners across various Impact Areas, designed to empower and inspire them to become active members of their communities and leaders of the future.
Our Adventure Week takes you through the highlights of Northern Thailand, exploring Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Pai. This adventure is the perfect introduction to travel, ensuring safety, fun, and a deeper connection to the places you visit.
Ready to be part of something bigger? Apply now to join us in Thailand, where you’ll make a real difference, develop valuable skills, and create memories that will last long after your gap year.
Induction
Your first few days in Thailand will give you the chance to become immersed in the local culture and learn about the FutureSense Foundation. You’ll start with an introduction to Mae Sariang and some basic Thai phrases. It’s a great opportunity to bond with other participants and the local team you’ll be working with over the coming weeks!
Project Delivery
From Monday to Friday each week during your project delivery, you’ll be based at our hub in Mae Sariang. With guidance from your GapGuru mentor, you’ll help inspire change in the Impact Areas you have selected by engaging local learners in diverse activities and taking part in community projects. This is a crucial part of our ongoing, sustainable programme, where you’ll build upon previous students’ work and be part of facilitating lasting change in our communities.
Adventure Week
Get ready for an unforgettable journey through the highlights of Northern Thailand, exploring Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Pai. This adventure is the perfect introduction to travel, ensuring safety, fun, and a deeper connection to the places you visit.
Our Adventure Week usually takes place on week 5 of your programme however this can be subject to change. Your full programme itinerary will be confirmed in your briefing pack at least 6 weeks before departure.
Weekends
You’ll have your weekends free to venture out and explore some amazing places like the Doi Inthanon National Park, home to Thailand’s highest mountain. Chiang Mai is 4 hours bus ride away and an amazing city to explore, and Thailand’s capital, Bangkok is on everyone’s bucket list. Then of course there are the stunning beaches of south Thailand.
Our Impact Areas address key global issues, promoting long-term positive impact and sustainable development in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
In Thailand you can choose to make an impact in:
This incredible experience takes you through the highlights of Northern Thailand, exploring Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Pai. You’ll be guided by local travel experts, stay in friendly hostels, enjoy local cuisine at bustling food markets, and travel stress-free with all transport and activities included.
Chiang Mai
- Experience vibrant markets, rich history, and exquisite Thai cuisine through hands-on cooking classes and visits to stunning temples.
Chiang Rai
- Explore natural wonders, including hot springs and waterfalls, admire the White Temple, and enjoy local crafts and food at the Night Bazaar.
Pai
- Visit peaceful temples and scenic spots, including waterfalls and Pai Grand Canyon, and enjoy local culture and lively evenings at Pai Night Market.
In Thailand, you’ll be supporting our charity, the FutureSense Foundation. The Thailand team are based in Mae Sariang where they live and work in the community year-round.
The Thai team support 562 local students and 1300 community members working on projects related to STEM, English, Climate Action, WASH, First Aid & Safety, Women’s Health, Physical, social and emotional well-being support.
When you visit Thailand, you’ll become part of our team, supporting the work FutureSense Foundation do, and contributing towards long-term programmes as part of something bigger than just you.
You will be staying in dorm-style accommodation sharing with 2-3 other participants. The rooms are all equipped with fans. The accommodation has shared bathrooms including a western toilet, shower and sink. There are plenty of nice spaces where you can relax in your spare time.
The accommodation is safe and regularly cleaned with plenty of spaces for you to relax in your spare time, however the amenities aren’t the same standard that you might be used to.
Meals
All of our meals are served family-style and are vegetarian to ensure that we can provide you with safe food and also reduce our carbon footprint. You’ll eat a lot of the local cuisine which is delicious across the board!
Breakfast
Breakfast is simple and consists of cereal, toast, spreads, fruit, coffee/tea.
Lunch
Lunch will either be back at your accommodation or will be a packed lunch taken with you to your project. Lunch will consist of rice, noodles, or potato based meals. You may find that lunch is a larger meal than what you are used to back home.
Dinner
You will have dinner at your accommodation, and these meals will again of rice or noodles as the staple ingredient. Our house cook will prepare local Thai meals (never too spicy).
What's Included?
Prices Include
- A GapGuru Mentor during your stay
- Clean and safe Accommodation
- 3 x nutritious meals from Monday –Friday in the hub
- Training & orientation
- Support before, during and after your trip
- Airport pick-up & drop-off
- In-country transport
- All pre-travel materials
What we can help you with
- International Flights
- Visa and Travel insurance fee
- Vaccinations
- Local Transport and Travel
- Any Personal Expenses
- We know that sorting this stuff out can be hard so we’re more than happy to help!
Explore Thailand
Why Make an Impact With GapGuru
- Support Local Communities
- Ethical and Sustainable
- Part of Something Bigger
Your Gap Year in Thailand
A country of Sacred Temples
Thailand is a tropical paradise, with a coastline like no other, serene Buddhist temples and the vibrant cityscape of Bangkok. It’s easy to see why Thailand is one of the first places that comes to mind when you think of a gap year.
But despite well-developed cities and a thriving tourist economy, Thailand’s northern rural communities are being left behind. While the urban areas grow, the disadvantages in rural areas and among ethnic minorities are becoming more pronounced.
Join our efforts to empower Thailand’s disadvantaged rural communities, inspire change and be part of something bigger by supporting our sustainable solutions to development.
Volunteering in Thailand
Programme Overview
GapGuru Thailand gives you the chance to explore Thailand’s hidden gems off the beaten tourist track, immerse yourself in the local culture, and make a difference. You’ll be based at our hub in Mae Sariang, supporting the FutureSense Foundation with long-term sustainable development projects.
During your time at our hub, you’ll run activities with local learners across various Impact Areas, designed to empower and inspire them to become active members of their communities and leaders of the future.
Our Adventure Week takes you through the highlights of Northern Thailand, exploring Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Pai. This adventure is the perfect introduction to travel, ensuring safety, fun, and a deeper connection to the places you visit.
Ready to be part of something bigger? Apply now to join us in Thailand, where you’ll make a real difference, develop valuable skills, and create memories that will last long after your gap year.
Induction
Your first few days in Thailand will give you the chance to become immersed in the local culture and learn about the FutureSense Foundation. You’ll start with an introduction to Mae Sariang and some basic Thai phrases. It’s a great opportunity to bond with other participants and the local team you’ll be working with over the coming weeks!
Project Delivery
From Monday to Friday each week during your project delivery, you’ll be based at our hub in Mae Sariang. With guidance from your GapGuru mentor, you’ll help inspire change in the Impact Areas you have selected by engaging local learners in diverse activities and taking part in community projects. This is a crucial part of our ongoing, sustainable programme, where you’ll build upon previous students’ work and be part of facilitating lasting change in our communities.
Adventure Week
Get ready for an unforgettable journey through the highlights of Northern Thailand, exploring Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Pai. This adventure is the perfect introduction to travel, ensuring safety, fun, and a deeper connection to the places you visit.
Our Adventure Week usually takes place on week 3 of your programme however this can be subject to change. Your full programme itinerary will be confirmed in your briefing pack at least 6 weeks before departure.
Weekends
You’ll have your weekends free to venture out and explore some amazing places like the Doi Inthanon National Park, home to Thailand’s highest mountain. Chiang Mai is 4 hours bus ride away and an amazing city to explore, and Thailand’s capital, Bangkok is on everyone’s bucket list. Then of course there are the stunning beaches of south Thailand.
Our Impact Areas address key global issues, promoting long-term positive impact and sustainable development in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
In Thailand you can choose to make an impact in:
This incredible experience takes you through the highlights of Northern Thailand, exploring Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Pai. You’ll be guided by local travel experts, stay in friendly hostels, enjoy local cuisine at bustling food markets, and travel stress-free with all transport and activities included.
Chiang Mai
- Experience vibrant markets, rich history, and exquisite Thai cuisine through hands-on cooking classes and visits to stunning temples.
Chiang Rai
- Explore natural wonders, including hot springs and waterfalls, admire the White Temple, and enjoy local crafts and food at the Night Bazaar.
Pai
- Visit peaceful temples and scenic spots, including waterfalls and Pai Grand Canyon, and enjoy local culture and lively evenings at Pai Night Market.
In Thailand, you’ll be supporting our charity, the FutureSense Foundation. The Thailand team are based in Mae Sariang where they live and work in the community year-round.
The Thai team support 562 local students and 1300 community members working on projects related to STEM, English, Climate Action, WASH, First Aid & Safety, Women’s Health, Physical, social and emotional well-being support.
When you visit Thailand, you’ll become part of our team, supporting the work FutureSense Foundation do, and contributing towards long-term programmes as part of something bigger than just you.
You will be staying in dorm-style accommodation sharing with 2-3 other participants. The rooms are all equipped with fans. The accommodation has shared bathrooms including a western toilet, shower and sink. There are plenty of nice spaces where you can relax in your spare time.
The accommodation is safe and regularly cleaned with plenty of spaces for you to relax in your spare time, however the amenities aren’t the same standard that you might be used to.
Meals
All of our meals are served family-style and are vegetarian to ensure that we can provide you with safe food and also reduce our carbon footprint. You’ll eat a lot of the local cuisine which is delicious across the board!
Breakfast
Breakfast is simple and consists of cereal, toast, spreads, fruit, coffee/tea.
Lunch
Lunch will either be back at your accommodation or will be a packed lunch taken with you to your project. Lunch will consist of rice, noodles, or potato based meals. You may find that lunch is a larger meal than what you are used to back home.
Dinner
You will have dinner at your accommodation, and these meals will again of rice or noodles as the staple ingredient. Our house cook will prepare local Thai meals (never too spicy).
Want to learn more
Upcoming Departures
Thailand
📍 Mae Sariang
15th November 2024
From £2,595
Tanzania
📍 Arusha
15th November 2024
From £2,595
India
📍Palampur
11th January 2025
From £2,595
Peru
📍Urubamba
1st February 2025
From, £2,595
Cambodia
📍Battambang
15th February 2025
From £2,595
Nepal
📍Kathmandu Valley
15th February 2025
From, £2,595
Panama
📍El Valle de Anton
1st March
From, £2,595
Need Gap Year Advice?
Want some help planning your gap year? Whether you’ve already booked a gap experience with us, or are wondering where to start, don’t hesitate to reach out to our fantastic GapGurus! We’ve got plenty of gap year experience and nearly 20 years of turning dreams into reality. Chances are, we’ve heard your question before. Drop us a message and let’s make the most of your gap year!
