Volunteer Conservation - THAILAND Project Information for Volunteer Conservation in Thailand

Our Volunteer Conservation Project in Thailand

Diving Related Projects

You begin this project by becoming certified as a PADI Advanced diver (if you are already certified you may take further advanced and specialised dive certifications.)

Once your training is complete, our resident Marine Biologist, together with our scientifically trained staff, will teach you to understand the terminology, procedures, and methodology of reef and coral surveys and you will conduct research studies and surveys on several active research projects around the islands surrounding Krabi and Ko Phi Phi.

The information we gather is shared with local government and non-government organisations which is vital to the conservation of the marine and costal areas around Thailand, especially those with protected status.  Our data is also entered into the Reef Check International database.

In addition to the research dives, working in partnership with the International Dive for Debris programme, we conduct salvage dives, collecting debris and trash from the reef. This may involve cutting free a snagged fishing line, releasing fish from abandoned fishing traps or simply bringing up discarded items to the surface.

Land Based Activities

In addition to our coral reef monitoring and salvage recovery work, our conservation programme also involves some very important land-based activities that are vital to conserving the marine and coastal ecosystems of the region.

We undertake weekly beach clean-ups to ensure that these areas, some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, remain pristine.  By cleaning the beaches we are also ensuring that this trash does not enter the ocean, in turn becoming hazardous to the health of marine life and the entire ecosystem.

The Andaman Sea coast is characterised by deep oceanic waters and a narrow, rocky and coral reef, with a thick mangrove belt protecting the coastline.  Mangrove forests are among the most productive and bio-diverse wetlands on earth, yet these unique coastal forests are among the most threatened habitats. They may be disappearing more quickly than inland tropical rainforests and, so far, with little public notice.

Studies have shown that this area of Thailand has experienced massive ecosystem degradation due to the natural effects of the 2004 Asian tsunami, compounded by the impact of human activities, such as the replacement of the mangroves by shrimp farms and other natural forests by rubber and oil palm plantations.

Healthy mangrove forests are key to a healthy marine ecology. Help is needed to monitor the mangrove forests to prevent further destruction and assist with reforestation projects in this beautiful yet fragile area of Thailand.

We work in partnership with the Department of Marine and Costal resources and with local villages to collect seeds, grow and plant mangrove saplings and tend to the mangrove forests in several areas around the Krabi province.

School and Community Projects

Each month we organise at least one community and one school event.  These events are designed to educate the local community about environmental issues, in a fun, accessible setting.

Role of the Conservation Volunteers

During your stay with us you will get involved in many, if not all of these projects, as well as other short-term projects that occur according to necessity and by request from the local community.

In addition to the field activities, you will be fully involved in the day-to-day operations, administration and maintenance of the projects.

Therefore, the success of our projects requires a strong commitment on the part of the volunteers.   You will be working a 5 day week, usually Monday to Friday, often starting your day before 7am, with the weekends off. 

You are here to enjoy yourselves, experience a different culture, whilst giving back to our beautiful planet.  So bring with you an open mind and a keenness to commit to physical work in a team environment.

The basic guidelines we have in place are designed to allow everyone to make the most of their time in Thailand and to have some of the best experiences of their life.

We ask that during the week, you have early nights so you are alert, fit and ready to begin your working day. 

Timekeeping is essential, our work is often governed by tides.  We need you to be up, eaten, packed and ready to go at the times specified by the field co-ordinators.

As diving is an extreme sport, for your safety, if a member of staff feels you have not had enough sleep or that you are hung-over, you will not be allowed to dive that day.

Generally, use common sense and be respectful of your fellow volunteers, staff and the local people.  There will be occasions when you may want to party and let your hair down! All we ask is that you consider others with regards to noise and that your behaviour is always considerate to those around you.
 
By following these simple guidelines, you can be certain that you will be part of a programme designed to challenge people’s conceptions of conservation and its practical applications in today’s world whilst enjoying living in one of the most beautiful countries on the planet.