Healthcare Project (Surin or Chiang Mai)

Thailand like any other developing country has tried to improve the healthcare system. But there remain many things to do. Today, many new hospitals and rural health clinics have opened in Thailand and there are many doctors and nurses getting trained every year. However, in places like Surin or Chiang Mai, one of the most disadvantaged regions in Thailand, the families cannot afford healthcare and even qualified medical professionals do not like to stay there. Our volunteers therefore will be working in these communities to provide healthcare to the local.

Skill/Qualification

Any volunteer interested in joining health care program in Thailand need to submit the proof of certification of medical student, nurse, doctor, or show other medical-related experience. Volunteers without professional medical credentials are not allowed to work in this program because of risks involved.

Volunteer's Responsibilities:

Volunteers will be working small health clinics spread throughout Surin or Chiang Mai. These areas of Thailand are the large farming regions and communities are well spread out. This makes the locals very difficult to travel to urban centers for healthcare. So, you will be making a real difference by helping poor communities, the elderly and children. Volunteers work can include immunizations, health checks including checking pressure and blood, giving first aid and helping local doctors to provide treatment.

Surin Medical Project: (sample one week itinerary)

Day 1 – Arrival in Bangkok

On arrival in Bangkok you will be picked up and brought to your accommodation on Khao San road. The rest of the day is yours to explore the capital and get to know your fellow travelers and volunteers.

Day 2 – Orientation Briefing & Tour

Your second day starts with an introduction and orientation given by your local coordinators. After this, you’ll be given a tour of Bangkok showcasing all the best sites of the old city as well as a fantastic riverboat cruise. The tour finishes in the afternoon, leaving you with the evening free to enjoy yourself.

Day 3 – Train to Surin

A delightful 7-hour train ride through wonderful scenery and charming villages will bring you to Surin. Once there, the local team will be there to greet you and take you to our volunteer house in Surin and help prepare you for the start of your medical volunteer project in Thailand the next day.

Day 4-7 – Medical Volunteer Work

Finally your medical volunteer experience in Thailand begins in earnest. You will generally work from 9am to 3pm, but depending on your schedule and day, the times may vary.

You will be escorted along with your fellow volunteers to the placement by our local coordinator, and travel time is usually 20-30 minutes.

On arrival you will be given a brief tour and introduction to the local healthcare professionals, and most of your first day will be spent familiarizing yourself with the clinic and your coming responsibilities.

Your coordinator will discuss your medical qualifications after lunch on the first workday and relay this information to the clinic so they can assign you appropriate duties going forward. Once the workday concludes at 3pm you will be provided transportation back to the accommodation and the rest of the day will be free.

Day 8 – Free Day

You’ll have the day off to explore Surin and relax. If you only signed up for 1 week, this will be the end of the project for you and our staff will assist you with organizing onwards travel.

If you’re staying longer, you’ll be back to work on Monday, and the following weeks will include work from Monday to Thursday and three full days to unwind and relax from Friday to Sunday.

Chiang Mai Group Medical Project: (sample one week itinerary)

Day 1 – Arrive Chiang Mai International Airport

You will be met by our local guide at Chiang Mai International Airport and taken by private transport to their hotel in Chiang Mai city. After time to relax and unpack your group will meet in reception for an orientation with your guide. The guide will talk to you about Thailand, Chiang Mai area and your one-week medical experience. After your talk time for walk around Chiang Mai City and your guide will recommend places for dinner.

Hotel: Guest House, twin rooms, aircon and private bathroom

Meals: N/A

Day 2 -Morning Tour and Afternoon Transfer to Project Location

This morning you will be taken on a walking tour of Chiang Mai, explore the local temples, shops, and street sellers. In the afternoon you will be driven to Mae Wang district 1h20mins outside, the location for your medical experience.

Hotel: Guest House, twin rooms, aircon and private bathroom

Meals: B

Day 3-7, Medical Experience

For the next 5 days you will be supporting the work for the local healthcare professionals at one or more of the Government funded rural health clinics. Your guide will accompany you and act as your translator. These are walk in clinics for the people living in the surrounding villages. You will learn firsthand the challenges faced by the local healthcare team, support the local community using your medical skills and learn about rural Thai life in Thailand.

Hotel: Guest House, twin rooms, aircon and private bathroom

Meals: B

Day 8 – Free Day

You’ll have the day off to explore Chiang Mai and relax. If you only signed up for 1 week, this will be the end of the project for you and our staff will assist you with organizing onwards travel.

If you’re staying longer, you’ll be back to work on Monday, and the following weeks will include work from Monday to Thursday and three full days to unwind and relax from Friday to Sunday.

Project Location

Surin is known has the elephant province in Thailand. This is because of the large number of elephants that are domesticated and the elephant festival that takes place very year that draws large number of crowds. Surin is one of the poorest region in Thailand and overwhelmingly agrarian. There are many interesting things to see around Surin including visiting Cambodia as it’s a border town. Surin also has a sizeable expatriate community.

Chiang Mai is known for its magnificent old temples, but there is much more to see and do. The magnificent mountainous scenery around the city is home to two tribal settlements as well as many great natural features. You will have an experience of a lifetime while making a real meaningful difference in the life of disadvantaged communities in Chiang Mai, Thailand.