What to Do in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Visitors to Chiang Mai are usually impressed by the welcoming atmosphere, tasty food, great shopping, cultural opportunities, and adventure activities. This is the ideal location for visitors to base themselves if they wish to explore [Northern Thailand](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Northern_Thailand). There is an abundance of accommodations at all price levels, from the very inexpensive to the more expensive options for those who want a bit of luxury. Chiang Mai is a great place for educational pursuits such as learning the Thai language, Thai massage, Thai cooking, Muay Thai, and Thai Buddhist meditation. It is the main location for *Friends for Asia* and as such we have helped develop Chiang Mai as a center for volunteering as well as internships.<br />
Channel V - B430 - Volunteer in Thailand
*Friends for Asia* has several ongoing volunteer projects and internships featured on Australia's [Channel V](http://www.channelv.com/) show B430 (Before 30) - Season 3, Episode 5 (2011) was on Volunteering in Northern Thailand. [B430](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2238530/) is about where to go and what to do in different places all over the globe, before one reaches the ripe old age of thirty. <br />
Volunteers Over 50 in Thailand
According to a report published by Thomas Cook – a UK-based travel company – travelers aged 50 and above are increasingly turning to far-flung destinations inspired by the younger travelers in their family. Older Volunteers, or _50+ Volunteers_ are now coming to participate in our projects more often and in greater numbers. <br />
February Message from Friends for Asia Director
___Message from the Director of Friends for Asia, Todd Cikraji___<br />
Thailand Holidays and Festivals 2013
There are at least fifteen public holidays in Thailand and most Thai workers will receive additional vacation time on top of this. The Thai calendar also includes many holidays and festivals which are not official holidays.<br />
Loy Krathong / Yee Peng in Chiang Mai
__Loy Krathong (ลอยกระทง)__, sometimes spelled _Loy Kratong_, is a colorful festival held every year on the full moon of the twelfth month in the Thai Lunar Calendar. In 2012, the full moon falls on November 28th, but in some places the celebration will be from the 27 to 29th. <br />
Dan Sai Ghost Festival, June 22-24, 2012
## Phi Ta Khon Ghost Festival in Loei ##<br />
Wisaka Bucha (Vesak) - Thai Holiday 2012
[Wisaka Bucha](http://chiangmaibest.com/thai-holidays-festivals/wisaka-bucha/) is on Monday, June 4th, 2012. This is a national holiday and banks and government offices are closed. Temple schools may hold half-day celebrations and have the children march in a parade to various Buddhist temples and shrines in the nearby neighborhood. Most other schools will be closed for the day. This holiday celebrates the anniversary of Buddha attaining enlightenment 2,600 years ago. Note that holiday this is sometimes spelled Vesakha, Vesaka, or Vesak. In Thai, there is no "V" consonant or sound, and the name is spelled with ว which is a "w" sound.<br />
Rajjabrabha Dam and the Khao Sok National Park
For those volunteering in Thailand, the Khao Sok National Park should not be missed...<br />
Make a Lasting Impact as a
Volunteer or Intern in Thailand
These projects provide authentic access to Thai communities, beyond typical tourist experiences. The connections formed while volunteering create lasting impacts, both for volunteers and the local people whose lives they touch.