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The project is located in the Phetchaburi province Thailand, 170 kilometres south of Bangkok.
Thailand
Thailand is firmly established as one of the most popular backpacker destinations for a gap year. It is a land of stunning scenery, great hospitality and inspiring cultures. The breathtaking rainforest-covered mountains of the north contrast spectacularly with the gorgeous tropical beach islands nestled in the gulf of Thailand. Thailand's warm, friendly people, truly stunning beaches and excellent trekking attract more visitors than any other country in South-east Asia.
Phetchaburi
Phetchaburi is a central Thai province, south of Bangkok and situated on the very northern end of the Malay Peninsula. Around half of the province is rainforest-covered mountains, dedicated National Park – Thailand’s largest, Kaeng Krachan. The rest of the province is seen as a bit of a cultural centre, having a large number of historic temples and Wats scattered throughout the area. The provincial capital itself, also called Phetchaburi, is an ex- 8th century royal city, complete with royal summer residence perching on a hilltop. A trip along the riverfront is good for spotting any number of dilapidated wats and temples, a glimpse of the magnificent Thai past. The whole area is also known for being one of Thailand’s premiere sweet making centres!
Thailand is located in South-east Asia, bordered by Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia and Myanmar. It gets over 11 million visitors every year, making it the most population destination is South-east Asia, so they can’t all be wrong!
Climate
The climate of Thailand has three very distinct seasons – the rainy with its intense daily rain storms, the ‘cool’ season with its pleasant to hot temperatures and lowest amount of rainfall and the hot season, hot temperatures- best to be on the beach! The rainy season is also the monsoon season, which comes during our summer months May to October. Despite its name, it doesn’t tend to rain all day, just very intensely for a few hours in the afternoon – you’ll see it coming! The ‘cool’ season is also the peak tourist season – November to February, as the weather is at its most pleasant and there is very little rain. You can still expect temperatures to get up to 30C though! The hot season – March to May, sees the temperature and the amount of rain to increase. Temperatures can get up to 35C and amount of rain is not something to worry about, definitely beach not city weather.
Free Time
Kao-Look-Chang is a rural village in the district of Thayang and the province of Petchaburi, the nearest towns being Thayang and Cha-Am, each within 30 minutes reach by car. Thailand’s longest established beach resort, the city of Hua-Hin is approx. 45 minutes away.
At the end of the day, when you have finished feeding, watering and cleaning, you are free to spend your time as you wish. You are required to work a 6 day week at the centre but you may even find that you love the work so much you are even asking for extra work on your day off!
You will have free time throughout your programme where you can relax at the centre of spend some time exploring the local area. The most famous place in the Petchburi Province is Cha Am, which you will find 40 km south of Petchaburi city. There are many beautiful beaches in the Petchaburi province that you could visit in your free time where you can spend time relaxing, sitting on the beach.
You will have some free time throughout the working day to relax, read, observe the animals, explore the temple, go swimming in the lake, learn Thai and socialise with other volunteers.
In the evenings you will have free time. There will be a TV and DVD player available for use from 5pm to 10pm with a large selection of movies for you to watch. There are also a variety of games available for you and your fellow volunteers to play. In the nearby village which is about 10 minutes away you will find a couple of internet cafes open until about 8pm, a karaoke bar open until 11pm most nights and on Sundays there is a night market. There is also a night market mid-week in the nearby town of Cha-Am which is a 30 minute taxi ride and only 400 Baht each way, about £5), where there are also some bars and restaurants. A wider choice of nightlife is available in the city of Hua-Hin (45 minute taxi ride and only 700 Baht, about £10 each way). Volunteers usually club together for a night out, sharing the price per car between six people.
On your day off you could venture out to one of the nice beaches at Cha-Am and Hua-Hin, where guesthouses range from 350-700 Baht, about £5-10 per night and hotels from 700 to 2000 Baht, about £10-£29. Some volunteers choose to visit the temples in Petchaburi (45 minute taxi ride, 700 Baht each way) or go nature trekking in one of the nearby national parks (e.g. Kaeng Krachan, Thailand’s largest national park, 40km away from the rescue centre). There is also a resort within 15 minutes ride of the rescue centre, where volunteers can stay for a preferential rate including free transit. The resort is very luxurious, with a nice swimming pool and offers Thai massage.
Getting There
Your will need to arrange your flights to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport. On arrival at the airport you will be met in arrivals by one of the gibbon centre chauffeurs. You will then receive a transfer to the Gibbon Rehabilitation Centre, which takes between 2 to 4 hours depending on the traffic (for this reason airport pick-ups can only be arranged for flights arriving before 6pm.)
If you are entering Thailand overland, or already travelling in Thailand prior to the start of the programme, then it is also possible for you to be collected from a hotel in Bangkok.
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