Career Break - Volunteer in Thailand
There's nothing new about the idea of a [career break](http://www.thecareerbreaksite.com/), though the concept has certainly been rebranded and repackaged in recent years. Whether you think of it as a [21st-century sabbatical](http://lifehacker.com/how-to-plan-a-sabbatical-style-career-break-1241266407) or, more simply, an extended and unpaid leave from work that includes travel, the fact remains that today's professionals have a variety of life-enriching options to choose from. Among those is the chance to volunteer in Asia through **Friends for Asia**. <br />
Thai School Year Calendar
The Thai school year does not match up with standard European, Australian, or North American school calendars. In addition, there may be changes to this schedule in 2014 to coordinate better with other ASEAN nations (helping integrate with the ASEAN Economic Community).<br />
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 />
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.