Chiang Mai Volunteer Group #241; May, 2018
University of Otago Group; June, 2018
This is the 5th year that we have conducted an orientation to Chiang Mai for the University of Otago's Department of Tourism Fieldschool Program. There are 10 master's degree students and two faculty advisers in the group this year. The students will be spending three weeks here in Chiang Mai and Pai, doing research on different tourism related items that relate to Chiang Mai. Below are some photos of their lunch, afternoon orientation and temple tour.<br />
QSI International School of Dongguan; May, 2018
Earlier this month we had the pleasure of hosting a special group of 8 international school students, and two of their faculty advisers, in our projects. The students are from the QSI International School of Dongguan, China. Due to our privacy policies, we do not list the names of participants in our projects that are under the age of 18. <br />
Buddha's birthday - Visakha Bucha Day
In Thailand, Visakha Bucha Day is without a doubt the most important Buddhist holiday of the year, and in 2018, it falls on Tuesday 29th May. This auspicious day commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of the Lord Buddha, and it falls on different dates, as it is based on the lunar calendar. In Thailand, Visakha Bucha Day is a National Holiday and is a time for Thai Buddhists to traditionally make merit at the temple, and is one of the few days when the sale of alcohol is prohibited, which means the bars and clubs will close for this special holiday.<br />
Thai Schools Begin a New Academic Year
Traditionally, Thai schools end their academic year in mid-March, and after two months holiday, the children are ready and willing to return to the classroom for the new academic year, which begins on the 16th or 17th of May. The hottest months of the year, April and May, sees the mercury rising to 40 C and over and with almost 100% humidity, the Thai New Year celebrations of Songkran are a welcome break for the entire nation. Songkran is a time for families to spend some much needed time together and the holiday traditionally runs from 13th – 15th of April, although there are usually an extra two or even three days added, which is just enough time for the workers to return to their family home in the provinces.<br />
Bangkok Volunteer Group #68; May, 2018
Presenting Bangkok Volunteer and Intern Group #68! This group of three arrived last week, finished orientation over the weekend and started in their projects earlier this week. All of them are from the USA, and are participating in our Medical Internship and Teaching Monks Volunteer Projects. <br />
Chiang Mai Volunteer Group #240; May, 2018
Presenting Chiang Mai Volunteer and Intern Group #240! This group of 9 volunteers and interns arrived last week, completed orientation over the weekend and started their projects today. The volunteers and interns in the group are from Germany, the USA, Austria, and Singapore, and are participating in our Medical Internship, Children's Home and Teaching Monks Volunteer Projects. For information on our different volunteer and intern opportunities, please visit our Projects Page.<br />
Royal Ploughing Ceremony 2018
Observed in early May, the exact date for the Royal Ploughing Ceremony in Thailand is determined by monks each year, and this year the ceremony will be held on Monday 14th May. The site is, as always, Sanam Luang, in front of the Grand Palace on Rattanakosin island, and the ceremony is expected to take place between 08.19 and 08.49, as is traditional. This fascinating ritual is both Buddhist and Hindu in origin and is performed at a similar time of the year in several other countries in this part of the world, including Cambodia and Burma.<br />
Bangkok Volunteer Group #67: May, 2018
Presenting Bangkok Volunteer and Intern Group #67! A small group of two ladies from the Michigan, the USA and Nordhein-Westfalen, Germany. Alyssa is participating in our Medical Internship for six weeks, and Ann is participating in our Bangkok Orphanage Volunteer Project for three weeks. For additional information on our volunteer and intern opportunities, please visit our projects page. <br />
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