Phang Nga
Stunning golden beaches, intricate temples and a rich culture.
Welcome to the land of smiles!
Visit beautiful Thailand, home to a wide range of fauna and flora, of which some are endangered. Thailand’s tourism industry is flourishing, but only some areas of the country benefit, leaving some extremely poor communities without basic necessities we often take for granted.
Phang Nga
Phang Nga, one of Thailand’s southern provinces, is located on the shore of the beautiful Andaman Sea. A vast range of attractions is on offer, including the famous James Bond Island, the Phu Khao Chang mountains, the Ao Phang Nga National Park and fishing villages built on stilts. It is also known for its abundance of cultural activities, including a Watermelon Festival, Free The Turtles Fair and a Vegetarian Festival. Traditional dishes include barbecued chicken, sweet chili pork, a variety of seafood and, for those liking something sweet, there are many tasty Thai desserts, typically super sweet and commonly wrapped in banana leaves. Tropical fresh fruit like pineapple and mango is also everyone’s favourite.
GVI’s Thailand project is located in Phang Nga Province, two hours North of Phuket. The province has a wealth of natural resources, many national parks and stunning scenery inclusive of white sandy beaches, tropical islands, magnificent limestone rock formations and, not least, the sincere hospitality of the Thai people.
Plunge into Thailand’s unique culture, while supporting the local community in the improvement of their overall living conditions, with an eye on developing a brighter future for these lovely people.
Thailand Conservation Awareness Experience
Phang Nga
Get involved in conservation efforts in Phang Nga province, Thailand. As a group, you will get a real taste of the Thai way of life. The experience will offer an holistic and well rounded insight into conservation issues facing the region and the measures GVI teams and partners are taking in response. You can expect to be involved in a variety of environmental awareness activities, discussions and lectures. Learn about the biodiversity of the surrounding environment, contribute towards essential biodiversity studies, species identification, bird walks, rainforest ecology and help at a local turtle rehabilitation centre. Contribute to vital conservation efforts while learning about Thailand’s unique ecosystem. Students will largely contribute to pre-established environmental monitoring and research initiatives by collecting and reporting critical data. Emphasis will also be placed on increasing awareness surrounding important conservation issues and knowledge of the local environment
Cultural immersion is achieved through community initiatives promoting environmental education to local community groups and schools.
Throughout the trip, there will be an emphasis on personal development of skills such as teamwork and leadership. The days are long and students should expect to be working in a hot and humid climate. Don’t worry as this is often interspersed with refreshing downpours!
The program focuses on gaining a better understanding of the local ecosystem in Phang Nga and learning how to preserve its biodiversity.
Other elements that may be examined are water security, climate energy, and access to clean energy
Each projects’ objectives are based around specific United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, however students could be involved in initiatives based around any of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals listed below:
SDG no.6: Ensure access to water and sanitation for all
SDG no.7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all
SDG no.12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
SDG no.13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impact
SDG no.15: Sustainable manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss.
Please note that we have a comprehensive curriculum based around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which is available for implementation by the teacher and the group leader on the ground, if you wish. Additionally, projects can tailored to a groups’ in-class curriculum, or one of the international programs and curricula listed on Service Learning Tours home page, however specific work will always be dependent on the needs of the community and our local partners at the time.
Thailand Community Development/Construction Project
Phang Nga
Discover service learning in Phang Nga province, Thailand. Learn about educational inequalities, while contributing towards sustainable solutions by helping to educate local disadvantaged children and by improving the community’s education centre.
In Phang Nga, students will largely contribute to needs based community development projects in the surrounding areas. This will primarily involve improving the general infrastructure and the learning environment for the local impoverished children. The program focuses on improving basic human rights through educational development, infrastructure improvement and developing intercultural understanding through interaction with the local people.
GVI is working with communities in Phang Nga to assist with ongoing rebuilding efforts in the wake of the 2004 tsunami and to better understand the effects of changing environmental climates. Depending on the needs of the community and local partners at the time, students will be involved in construction and/or renovation projects. The group can expect to be involved in the maintenance and decoration of a classroom or community centre, which may also include furniture renovation and mural painting as well as construction projects from scratch. Students will also spend a portion of their service time working with the local Thai community. This will be in the form of providing activity-based educational support in local schools and community groups or getting involved in sports lessons. Being immersed in the local community will give the group an opportunity to experience a new and fascinating culture, while contributing to projects in a meaningful and genuine way.
Students will review their individual and collective impact on the ground by asking questions and using critical thinking, in order to evaluate their successes and areas in which they felt more challenged. They will be supported on an ongoing basis by qualified staff members who will help to show the students’ the connection between the work they have done on the project and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Each projects’ objectives are based around specific United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, however students could be involved in initiatives based around any of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals listed below:
SDG no.1: End poverty in all of its forms everywhere
SDG no.4: Ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning
SDG no.9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and forest innovation
SDG no.10: Reduce inequalities within and among countries
SDG no.16: Promote just, peaceful, and inclusive societies
Please note that we have a comprehensive curriculum based around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which is available for implementation by the teacher and the group leader on the ground, if you wish. Additionally, projects can tailored to a groups’ in-class curriculum, or one of the international programs and curricula listed on Service Learning Tours home page, however specific work will always be dependent on the needs of the community and our local partners at the time.
