A Guide To Exploring The Country Sustainably And On A Budget
Want to explore Thailand, the land of smiles, on a shoestring budget and sustainably? There's WWOOF making this dream a reality.
WWOOF, which stands for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, is a global network organization of organ farms offering farm owners the chance to host foreign travels and locals in exchange for unpaid help with their farming, as well as offering tourists the chance to become volunteers for organic farms. It is an incredible program that lets you travel to a new place and fully immerse yourself in a different culture while learning about sustainable agriculture.
Thailand, with its spectacular natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and delicious Thai cuisine, is a perfect destination for a WWOOFing adventure.
Please note that coming to Thailand through this program doesn't mean you cannot travel independently. If there are popular destinations you wish to explore, you can get tickets from SiamTickets.
What is WWOOFing?
WWOOF Thailand is an incredible program matching volunteers with organic farms across the country. WWOOFers, or volunteers, will have to work on the farm for a set number of days per hour in exchange for meals and accommodation. This program offers you a great opportunity to learn about organic farming practices, make a positive impact on the environment, and experience rural life.
What are The Benefits of WWOOFing?
● Budget travel
This program offers travelers a budget-friendly way to travel to and experience Thailand. As a volunteer, you'll receive delicious meals and decent accommodation from your host farm. This will reduce your living expenses significantly and you can utilize your travel budget on exploring Thailand and immersing yourself in various activities.
● Learn about organic farming
WWOOFing offers volunteers the chance to gain hands-on knowledge and experience with organic farming techniques. You will learn about planting, composting, harvesting, and other sustainable agricultural practices.
● Experience Thai culture up close
As you live and work on a Thai farm, you get to experience Thai culture firsthand. You will learn about local traditions, customs, and ways of life.
● Make friends
WWOOFing is a social experience where you will meet other volunteers like yourself from across the world. You get to bond with your host family and the other volunteers.
● Contribute to a sustainable future
Traveling to Thailand through the WWOOF program means you are supporting organic farms and doing your bit for a sustainable future.
These benefits promise to provide you with an enriching experience besides exploring the popular destinations in Thailand.
WWOOFing in Thailand: What To Expect
WWOOFing experiences are unique. It is difficult to say for certain what you might expect as part of the Thailand program. But some general things you can expect are:
● Usually, farm owners require volunteers to work four to six hours per day. Your attendance might be required five to six days a week.
● The work varies depending on the season and the farm. It may include planting, harvesting, weeding, helping with animals, or other farm chores.
● You'll be free to explore the surrounding area during evenings and weekends. You can fully immerse yourself in Thai culture and live like locals.
How Can You Join The WWOOF Program in Thailand?
For WWOOFing in Thailand, these are the terms and conditions:
● You must be a member of WWOOF Thailand. To become a member, you have to register and pay a small fee (45 euros). This gives you a one year membership so you'll have enough time to plan your trip, review hosts in different areas, and also ask questions to find your perfect host family.
● You must be over 18 years old to become a member of WWOOF Thailand.
● You will need a visa to come to Thailand. Kindly check the updated visa rules for your country.
WWOOF Thailand welcomes solo travelers and also families with children.
What Are The WWOOFing Opportunities in Thailand?
While the WWOOFing opportunities vary, here are some examples to get you started:
● Big House Organic Farm offers a quiet setting for volunteers in rural northeastern Thailand. Their work projects include rice planting, mud brick building, and harvesting.
● Lungkahms Jungle Homestay and Farm is a small organic farm located just outside Chiang Mai offering volunteers a cool place to work and stay. This place has a young, backpacker vibe and the restrictions on smoking and alcohol are lax.
● Santipap Gardens is a family-run organic farm and learning center located on the shores of Ubanratan Dam Lake. Besides farming, there are other interesting courses for guests, such as dish soap and shampoo making, earthen house building, Thai cooking lessons, etc.
The Bottom Line
WWOOFing in Thailand is a sustainable and budget-friendly way of exploring the country and immersing in local Thai culture. This is also the best way to interact and connect with the locals, relish local delicacies, and learn about Thai culture.
Would you be interested in WWOOFing in Thailand? Register and explore your options.
