FAQ
Yes. Accommodation at our volunteer house in Mae Wang is included free of charge, and there is no program fee. The only money we ask for is a 200 THB housekeeping deposit, returned when you leave your room clean and wash the bedding provided.
No. You do not need to be a qualified teacher or hold a TEFL certificate. We are looking for friendly, responsible English speakers who enjoy conversation. Teachers and TEFL/TESOL holders are very welcome too.
You should be able to hold a relaxed, clear conversation in English and be understood easily. Native and non-native speakers are both welcome — patience and clarity matter more than a perfect accent.
No. Sessions are in English and our coordinator speaks English. Learning a few Thai phrases is fun and appreciated, but not required.
Minimum stay is 1 week; we recommend 2–4 weeks so you settle in and see real progress with learners. Enter your preferred dates on the form and our coordinator confirms them based on availability.
Around 4–5 hours a day, grouped into a teaching period, with 2 days off per week. Sessions are online and last about 40 minutes. Your confirmed schedule comes from the coordinator and can change with student bookings.
No. After you verify your email, our coordinator reviews every application personally. If accepted, you receive an email with a “Confirm My Volunteer Placement” button — your place is only reserved once you press it.
Sessions are taught online through Microsoft Teams, so you need a laptop, tablet or computer with a camera and a microphone, plus headphones. We have a small number of notebooks and tablets that volunteers can borrow during their sessions, but they are limited, not always available, and a little older than what most people use at home. If it is not too difficult, please bring your own laptop or tablet so you can help our learners effectively. If you really cannot, just tell us on the application form and we will prepare a device for you.
Yes. Couples can apply together and request to stay in the same room. We will try to arrange a room for two when space is available.
You can tell us your preference on the form, but private rooms cannot be guaranteed. Room allocation depends on availability on your arrival date. If a private room is available we will do our best, and some private rooms may not have air conditioning.
Yes, free Wi-Fi at the volunteer house, plus a shared working space in our office during available hours. If your work needs a very fast or guaranteed connection, ask us before you apply.
Yes. Many volunteers work or study online during their stay. Volunteer responsibilities and scheduled sessions must still be completed.
Meals are provided according to the volunteer program schedule. Thai-style meals are usually served, and volunteers may also experience local Northern Thai food.
Yes. Please tell us in your application if you are vegetarian, vegan, have allergies or have any special dietary requirements. We will try our best to accommodate dietary requirements, but we cannot guarantee that our kitchen will be completely free from allergens.
Yes — a 200 THB housekeeping deposit collected on arrival (you can pay in your own currency and we refund in the same currency). It is returned if the room and bedding are prepared according to the checkout instructions; otherwise it pays our housekeeper. The washing machine costs about 40 THB per wash.
Mae Wang is a district (amphoe) of Chiang Mai Province in Northern Thailand, south-west of Chiang Mai city. Our volunteer house is in the Mae Wang countryside near Ban Kad.
Mae Wang is a rural district south-west of Chiang Mai city — roughly 40 km, or about an hour by car depending on traffic.
Book a Grab car at the airport using our Grab destination link, or take a private taxi (around 500 THB). We do not run a free pickup service. Do not search only for “Baan Bon Doi” because there are several similarly named places around Chiang Mai. Always use our official Google Maps or Grab links.
Yes. Grab works well in Chiang Mai. Use our Grab destination link so the drop-off pin is exactly right, and check the driver is happy to drive to Mae Wang before you set off.
Yes. Yellow songthaew (shared pick-up trucks) leave from Chiang Mai Gate towards Ban Kad in Mae Wang. Tell the driver you are going to Ban Kad, then message us on WhatsApp when you arrive so we can give you final directions.
A private taxi from Chiang Mai Airport, the train station or the city to our volunteer house costs around 500 THB. Agree the price before you leave and show the driver our Google Maps pin.
Passport or ID, your own laptop or tablet with a charger (sessions are taught online through Microsoft Teams — tell us on the form if you cannot bring one), headphones, suitable clothing for a local community, toiletries, personal medication, mosquito repellent and a reusable water bottle.
Our coordinator welcomes you, shows you your room (allocated by availability), gives you Wi-Fi access, walks through the house rules and the teaching system, and collects the 200 THB housekeeping deposit. Please tell us in advance if you will arrive late.
Visa and immigration requirements depend on your nationality, length of stay and activities in Thailand. Each participant is responsible for checking the current requirements with the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate and Thai authorities before travelling. Participation in our program does not provide immigration or work authorization, and we do not guarantee visas or work permits.
Message us, or go straight to the application form.
