Your Best Info Source for Peace Corps Thailand

Welcome to your best source of information for Peace Corps Thailand! If you’re considering volunteering in Thailand, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll tell you more about the history of the Peace Corps in Thailand and explore Thailand as a nation. You’ll learn about the languages spoken in the country and hear about other volunteers experiences. You can find more information about safety and health issues here too. And we’ll tell you how to connect with returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) who served in Thailand. Get ready to find out more about information to help you decide if serving in Thailand is right for you.

Volunteers in Thailand work with their communities on locally prioritized projects in Education and Youth in Development (YinD). Cohorts usually leave in January.

What is the history of Peace Corps Thailand?

Peace Corps Thailand has a long history that dates back to its establishment in 1961. In October 1962, the program’s initial group of volunteers arrived in the country

These dedicated volunteers focused on teaching English and engaging in community development projects in rural areas. Over the years, the Peace Corps volunteers in Thailand worked alongside local communities. They formed strong bonds and contributing to development initiatives in education, health, and agriculture.

Throughout its history, Peace Corps Thailand has demonstrated the positive impact of international cooperation and cultural exchange in building a more interconnected and harmonious world. To date, over 5,500 volunteers have served in Peace Corps Thailand.

Map of Asia highlighting the location of Thailand, a country in Southeast Asia

What about Thailand as a nation?

Thailand is a country located in the center of mainland Southeast Asia. It has diverse ecosystems, including the hilly forested areas of the northern frontier. There are many rice fields in the central plains. Thailand has a broad plateau in the northeast. And there are rugged coasts along the narrow southern peninsula. Over the last four decades, Thailand has made remarkable progress in social and economic development. And it has moved from a low-income to an upper-middle-income country in less than a generation.

What language do they speak in Thailand?

In Thailand, the official and most widely spoken language is Thai. But there are other languages in different regions and used by other ethnic groups. Some of the other languages in Thailand include Isan, Southern Thai, Lanna, Karen, and Hmong. These languages are spoken by specific communities or in certain regions. Thai remains the primary language for communication throughout most of Thailand, including TV. Additionally, in tourist areas and among urban youth, English is common.

A serene monk stands before a magnificent outdoor temple bell in Thailand. Surrounding him, fellow monks sit peacefully, engrossed in their spiritual practice amidst the tranquil surroundings — Young monks. Wat Phra Sing. Chiang Mai, Thailand.

How safe is it serve as a volunteer in Peace Corps Thailand?

In general, 95% of volunteers felt safe or very safe where they lived. And 96% felt safe or very safe where they worked. 14% of volunteers early terminated mostly due to medical reasons or resignation. But more detailed information about safety compared to other Peace Corps countries can be found in the Thailand Crime, Harassment, and Early Termination of Service Data.

Most of the medical problems seen in Thailand are also found in the United States, such as colds, diarrhea, skin infections, headaches, minor injuries, sexually transmitted infections, adjustment disorders, and emotional problems. For Volunteers, these problems may be more frequent or compounded by life in Thailand because local factors raise the risk of or exacerbate the severity of certain illnesses.

The medical problems specific to Thailand are dengue fever, tuberculosis, Japanese encephalitis, Hepatitis A and B, typhoid, cholera, rabies, lack of clean drinking water, traffic accidents, diarrhea, skin infections, dental problems, headaches, respiratory infections, minor injuries, and STIs. As malaria is endemic in Thailand, Volunteers are required to take anti-malarial medication. But more detailed information about health related issues at Peace Corps Thailand can be found in the Thailand Health and Medical Care Summary.

What do volunteers think of serving in Thailand?

Since 1975, the Annual Volunteer Survey has been a source of information on the state of the Peace Corps (PC) program for the agency, Congress, researchers, the media, and the general public. In 2019, 90% of volunteers found their overall Peace Corps service rewarding or very rewarding. 92% of volunteers would still make the same decision to serve with the Peace Corps today. 91% of volunteers who served in Thailand would recommend Peace Corps service to others. More information can be found in the Thailand Annual Volunteer Survey Satisfaction Results.

An enthusiastic male Peace Corps volunteer teacher engaging a group of young students in a vibrant classroom setting in Thailand.

Where can I learn more about Thailand volunteer experiences?

PCV blogs and YouTube channels offer a unique look into the daily life of volunteers serving in Thailand. These blogs and channels can help you understand the challenges and triumphs that come with being a volunteer. Explore these links for inspiring stories and practical advice from current and past volunteers.

Three joyful Peace Corps Youth Development in Thailand volunteers sharing laughter while riding in the back of a tuktuk.

Learn about Peace Corps as we share D’Angelo Brown’s journey with Youth Development in Thailand. Discover challenges, rewards, and growth in this interview.

Blog and YouTube links:

How can I connect with Returned PCVs who served in Thailand?

Friends of Thailand (FOT) is a non-profit organization that supports the Peace Corps community who served in Thailand. FOT is an affiliate of the National Peace Corps Association (NPCA) and is a registered 501©(3) non-profit organization. The group provides support to RPCVs, promotes cultural exchange between the US and Thailand, and supports development projects in Thailand. You can find more information about Friends of Thailand on their website and connect with other RPCVs on Facebook.

Thai rice farmers in traditional attire harvesting rice in a paddy field, with golden sheaves of rice being gathered and bundled together. — Rice farmers in Mae Wang, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand

And where can I find official information about Peace Corps Thailand?

"Peace Corps Thailand Welcomes You" book cover

This is an old PC publication called “The Peace Corps Welcomes You to Thailand“, published in 2015. In the past, before the internet, this is how volunteers learned more about Thailand. Even though it is many years old, there is still a lot of good information there. You can download it here but remember it is just for informational purposes. For up-to-date information, always check with you Peace Corps contacts and staff.

Conclusion

This blog post has provided you with information to help you decide if serving in Thailand is right for you. You have gotten some insights into the cultural, linguistic, and developmental aspects of the country. We have also touched on the safety considerations and health-related information relevant to volunteers. And, you learned how to connect with returned Peace Corps Volunteers. For more information about Peace Corps Thailand, you can visit the Peace Corps website or explore the suggested resources. We hope this post has been helpful in your search for information on Peace Corps Thailand.

Some pictures are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license: © Vyacheslav Argenberg / http://www.vascoplanet.com/; Takeaway;