Volunteer Locations: Sangklaburi

Sangklaburi is on the Burmese border by the "Three Pagodas Pass". It's beautifully situated 200 km north of Kanchanaburi in the mountains on a lake. Since the border to Burma is closed but for some trading of handicraft, this is a place that only draws the odd tourist mainly for canoeing, crafting or fishing.

The "Medecins sans frontiers" are helping Burmese refugees and some experiments with sustainable community development involving the ethnic minorities are ongoing projects in the area.

Across the wooden bridge over the river is one of the biggest Mon community in Thailand. Although education is free is Thailand, Mon and Karen families cannot afford to buy books and pay the government fee. Furthermore Karen and Mon have their own alphabet and language and for the children is impossible to follow lessons in Thai language. The need for teaching English and other subjects is insatiable among the Burmese refugees and Karen and Mon people.

Travel to Teach previously had a volunteer dorm in Sangklaburi however we now operate Sangklaburi as homestay placement with volunteers staying with a local Thai family. Volunteers are likely to be in Sangklaburi on their own and Travel to Teach no longer have a program co-ordinator there, only our local Thai contacts. If you do not think you would enjoy this situation we would recommend one of co-ordinated placements such as Nongkhai, Pai, Koh Chang or Phon Phisai as a better alternative.

Volunteer Programs in Namsom:
English Teaching

Food
Sangklaburi has a few guest houses offering Western style food as well as a selection of Thai restaurants, food stalls and a market offering a wider selection of Thai and Burmese food.

Weather
Since Sangklaburi is in the mountains it's colder than lowland Thailand, especially during the cold season (October through to January) a slightly wetter than most areas during the rainy season (June to September).

How to get to Sangklaburi
There are buses straight from Bangkok but, depending on what time of the day you arrive, you can also choose to do the trip in two days going first to Kanchanaburi, 2.5 hours from Bangkok, and then continue the next day to Sangklaburi. We will give you detailed instructions in the application process.

Accommodation
Sangklaburi is now a homestay placement and volunteers stay with a local Thai family.

Activities
Although Sangklaburi itself is a small town with very little in the way of modern style entertainment the area surrounding it is incredibly beautiful containing a number of Natural Parks with activities including trekking, canoeing, crafting and fishing.

Photo Gallery: Images from Sangklaburi: