Cultural Immersion Week in Thailand, Hua Hin

We highly recommend you start your trip with a comprehensive cultural immersion week followed by one of our community projects. It will help you settle in by meeting new people and understanding great aspects about the country you are visiting. Search other activities for week two onward in the ‘Related trips‘ section.

Environmental Conservation Project
Based in the seaside town of Hua Hin, our program offers the opportunity to immerse yourself in Thai culture through a variety of different cultural activities and sightseeing in the morning and free time in the afternoons to fully enjoy the gorgeous beach surroundings.

Cultural Excursions
This program is filled with cultural activities that will show you authentic Thailand. During the program, you’ll get a chance to explore several famous sights around Hua Hin, followed by Thai customs, language, cooking and Muay Thai lessons. Buddhism will play a big part with a visit to Buddhist temples (‘Wat’ in Thai) to learn about Thai Buddhism. Moreover, there are also visits scheduled to several local markets where you can witness the local Thai lifestyle and taste scrumptious food, delicacies and other products.

Beach Conservation (Environmental)
Everybody enjoys the beautiful and tropical beaches that Thailand has to offer. Local people will educate you about the flora and fauna surrounding the beaches in Hua Hin, and what the people undertake to protect and conserve them. You will be expected to play your part in helping with the conservation of Hua Hin’s natural surroundings.

Beach
Every day, we will take you to a different beach where you will be able to sit back, relax and unwind amidst white sand and crystal-clear blue waters.

Criminal Records Check
We require you to complete a criminal records check in order to take part in this experience. We can accept those that have been done in the last two years if you have the certificate. In the UK it can be done through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), in the USA further details can be found on Travel.State.Gov, otherwise please search for your local service provider. We may also request a reference from a reliable source. You must supply these to us before departure and also take a copy with you to present to the in-country team.

Why do we require a criminal background check?
1) Ensuring a safe environment is conducive to learning, productivity and overall positive experiences for everyone involved.

2) We implement thorough screening processes and we are committed to safety and integrity, fostering trust among participants and the local community.

3) Conducting background checks serves as a preventive measure, deterring individuals with questionable backgrounds from attempting to participate in our programme.

4) Safeguards vulnerable people from potential harm within the programme.

You can arrive any weekend of the year.

Our pick up window from Bangkok International Airport (BKK) is on Sundays between 08:00 and 15:00. Arrivals outside this will incur a further charge.

The transfer time to Hua Hin is approximately 3hrs.

Note from mid March, mid May and all of October it is school holidays, so various camps are put on to serve the community. There will be games and outdoor activities delivered. Additionally you will be offered other placement work in the community if you want it and what is relevant at the time you visit.

Aims & Objectives

• Help you familiarise yourself with the local surroundings
• Provide a full induction, preparing you for a longer stay!
• Broaden your knowledge of the local customs, history and culture

Schedule
Monday

• Breakfast
• Excursion to Hin Lek Fai Viewpoint
• Visit to a famous Buddhist temple nearby
• Lunch
• Free afternoon at Hua Hin Beach
• Welcome Party with local children performing a Thai traditional dance

Tuesday

• Breakfast
• Giving food to Monk in the early morning
• Explore Khao Takiab Temple; get a short introduction to Buddhist rituals
• Lunch
• Free time at Sai Noi Beach
• Dinner

Wednesday

• Breakfast
• Excursion to the Artist Village
• Visit Hua Hin Train Station
• Visit the Market; buy materials for cooking lessons
• Thai Cooking Lesson
• Lunch
• Free time at Sea Pine Beach
• Dinner
• Thai Language Lesson

Thursday

• Breakfast
• Excursion to Pranburi Forest Park, famous for its mangrove plantations, where we will clean the beach
• Lunch
• Free time at Pranburi Beach
• Transfer back to our centre
• Dinner

Friday

• Breakfast
• Thai Language Lesson
• Muay Thai Lesson
• Lunch
• Trekking up to Khao Kalok Hill
• Free time at Khao Kalok Beach
• Dinner

This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances.

Location
Located just 280 kilometers southwest of Bangkok, Hua Hin is one of Thailand’s most popular beach destinations for locals and Expats alike. It is convenient and ever developing because it is where the city meets the sea. Here you will find scrumptious seafood, lively markets, never-sleeping bars, long beaches, and palm tree-decorated landscapes which have turned this former fishing enclave into a what is now a bustling town, brimming with anything and everything a visitor, tourist, or traveler could ever want!

Accommodation & Food
About the Accommodation
Our centre is located in the hilly countryside of Prachuap Khiri Khan province amidst green surroundings. The accommodation consists of spacious rooms. There is a common area with a refrigerator, hammocks and a large communal swimming pool for you to chill.

Available Room Types

* 3 meals on weekdays, 2 on weekends
** Water, coffee, tea at the accommodation
*** You can hand wash for free, or PAY to use on-site machines or to take it to the local laundrette
**** Bring your own padlock (a slim one, so it fits through the zipper)
***** At extra cost
****** Air con will be available from 20:00-08:00

Food Arrangements
All the meals served inside the accommodation are homestyle, vegetarian-friendly and you can expect that they will be typically Thai, including plenty of rice or noodle dishes with vegetables and occasionally some meat will be provided as well, along with seasonal fruits for dessert.

While we do our best to accommodate our participants, what we provide for most meals is local cuisine. If you are a picky eater, have dietary restrictions, or if you think that you will not be satisfied with the local dishes provided, you might want to consider supplementing our menu with your own western type foods and snacks that are more to your liking. From our accommodation and you can use our bikes to ride to a few convenience stores nearby.

Please keep in mind that refrigerator space is limited and to prevent insect infestation open food items are not allowed in the rooms.

Facilities
Most of your day will be spent in Hua Hin city centre, where all amenities can be found.

Mandatory Orientation Day
On the Monday of your first week at this location, you will join our orientation day, to familiarise you with the surroundings as well as local culture. Your program will continue as usual from Tuesday onward throughout the rest of the week.

Schedule

• Introduction meeting, House rules, Setting Expectations, Health and Safety Advice and handling of documents
• Thai Do’s and Don’ts, Thai Culture Lessons and Thai Language Lessons
• Tour around the compound and local area where to find local shops, and arrange a sim-card if necessary
• Visit a famous Buddhist temple nearby
• Lunch
• Visit the beach

Activities & Events
Tuesday Evening
You will go to the night market in Hua Hin city. Try some of the delicious local food that is freshly cooked and instantly served to you. Taste a variety of inexpensive street food.

Wednesday Evening
You will go to the night market in Hua Hin city. Try some of the delicious local food that is freshly cooked and instantly served to you. Taste a variety of inexpensive street food.

Friday Evening
You will go to the Cicada Market, a colourful night market offering freshly cooked food from different shopkeepers. Look around the many art exhibitions, see the local handmade products and souvenirs which are very attractive and listen to live music featuring local artists.

Sights & Surroundings
Hua Hin is a lively fisherman-town and popular tourist destination, and it has a lot to offer besides just sunbathing, snorkeling and swimming at its golden beaches. Not only are there plenty of seafood restaurants and other eateries to choose from, but visitors can also enjoy golf, spas, shops, markets (including a popular night market), and Hua Hin’s Vana Nava water park.

You might also consider visiting Khao Tekiab, a mountain at the end of the beach with a temple overlooking the beach.

Hua Hin is also surrounded by beautiful national parks and you might decide to go slightly further afield to explore the likes of the Pa La-U Waterfall, located 60 km west of Hua Hin in the south side of the Kaeng Krachan National Park. Alternatively, 45 km to the south of Hua Hin is the mystical Phraya Nakhon cave for the more adventurous!

Transportation
From this location we provide free transport to your next program at the following location(s):

• Akha Village Chiang Rai
• All around Thailand
• Around Thailand
• Kaeng Krachan
• Kanchanaburi
• Mae Sot
• Singburi
• Suphan Buri
• Train Track Northern Thailand
• Trunk to the South
• Umphang
• Udon Thani
• Wang Nam Khiao

Accommodation
Spacious accommodation with a mix of private and shared rooms (1-4 people per room); Basic but comfortable; Shared toilet and shower facilities; Communal areas for socialising and relaxation designed with an authentic Thai style; swimming pool; internet access in communal areas; Single and double rooms may also be available – contact us.

Food
3 meals a day are provided on weekdays, and then 2 meals per day on weekends; Basic but nutritious vegetarian meals are provided. Meals on offer are of typical Thai cuisine.

Airport Transfer
Included on arrival date. Ask us for details if you are arriving early/late. You will be supported at the end of your trip in your onward travel.

Training
A full orientation and project induction takes place. You will also receive full training relevant to your volunteer role.

Support
Pre-departure help and advice; Local in-country team; 24 hour emergency support.

Donation
Part of your fee is used to buy decent equipment for the project and community you work with. If you wish to bring further donation, please make sure that this is in the form of equipment and not monetary donations.

• Flights
• Travel Insurance
• Visas
• Vaccinations
• Spending money
• In country travel
• Laundry service
• Extra activities not on itinerary
• Departure transfer

Preferred Duration
There is no preferred duration but we believe that the longer you can stay the more you will experience and benefit.

Pre-requisites
No prior experience or qualifications are required, but an interest in environmental conservation, and a desire to help others through conservation is required. It is important that you can speak basic English. All participants require a CRB check to take part in the project activities and will need to provide a copy of their passport and resume.

Ideal for
Those wanting a cultural trip in Thailand; beach experiences; Beach and Environmental Conservation Volunteer Holidays and Placements in Asia; Conservation and Sustainability Work and Activity Breaks in Thailand; Volunteer Gap Years and Career Breaks in Asia; and Student Summer Holidays in Thailand.