PMGY - Volunteer in Thailand from $540

I recently went on the 2 week mini Thailand experience in July. I have always have been very fond of this country and try to visit it every two years.

These two weeks have shown me a completely different side of Thailand which I haven't explored. I would really like to Thank Darryl and Sopida for being patient, fun, energetic and excellent hosts.

If you are thinking of traveling alone you should go for it because you will be surrounded in great company and like-minded people.

The highlight of the trip for me was staying at Koh Sok National Park. I wish we could stay there an extra day and explore more untapped areas.

In July 2017, I decided to take part in the Two Week Thailand Experience. It was something that I knew would be completely out of my comfort zone but knew I needed to do some sort of travelling whilst I am still young.
First things first, Darryl the leader really did make the trip. He was on the ball for everything and although we were all adults on the trip, he constantly looked out for us whilst still being able to come out for drinks with us all.
The two week experience included three days in Bangkok, four days in Koh Phangan, four days in Koh Samui, a night in Khao Sok National Park plus one night on a night bus and one night on a night train. All four locations showed a different side of Thailand so you do get to see all of what Thailand has to offer.
What I really enjoyed about this trip was that there was lots of autonomy and although Darryl got us to each location, it was up to us how we spent our time and where we went to eat which I did appreciate.
The trip cost me £620 and I also spent another £300 whilst i was out there on extra trips, food, presents etc. I know if I had done the trip solo, I would not have spent £900, HOWEVER, I do think the fact that all the transport and accommodation is sorted for you is worth the extra cost, as well as having a tour leader who knows the country so well. I also had a really nice group and got on with everyone which did add to the whole experience.
My favourite day of the trip was the last day which was an excess tour that I paid £50 for. We went to Erawan waterfall and climbed up the top which was lots of fun, then we went to the Bridge over the River Kwai and had the most gorgeous lunch out of the whole two weeks which was included in the cost. We walked over the bridge then got a longtail boat to a little museum which gave some history about the bridge which was very interesting.
My only negative - and this is really nitpicking - was that the accommodation in Bangkok and Koh Phangan wasn't amazing and we did have a bit of an issue with hot water/water coming on at all.
I would highly recommend the two week trip for anyone who wants to do some travelling but doesn't want to go alone. It is great constantly being with the same 20 odd people for two weeks too because you build up some close bonds rather than meeting new people at every hostel you go to. Two weeks doesn't sound like a long time but you pack so much in that you will be ready to go home when it's over!

I went on the Mini Thailand Experience at the beginning of 2017 and had a fantastic time. The group I went with were all really friendly, and Darryl and Sophia were great at introducing us to Thailand. Darryl stayed with us throughout, and was around for support when needed, but also let you get on with you own thing if you wanted to. All of the places we stayed were great, especially the floating raft houses and it was nice to not stay in one place for too long.

There are lots of fun and different things to do on all of the islands and in Bangkok, and I didn't have close to enough time to try most of it, but the stuff I did, was great. The food was also really tasty, and I enjoyed finding which place had the nicest, creamiest green Thai curry. And if you're trying to save money there is of course always 711. There was also cold coffee EVERYWHERE which I loved, because it is so expensive in England.

Advice? Pace yourself with your drinking at the Full Moon Party and apply Sun Cream frequently and liberally. And maybe take some after bite.

I have just returned from a month away in Thailand with PMGY and I can say it's been such a great experience and I would do it all over again! I would recommend this programme to anyone considering visiting Thailand as you receive a rounded experience and really get a grasp of their culture.
All the support before the programme was everything and more that I needed in order for me to organise myself beforehand an know what to expect. The volunteer handbook goes into depth with the background of the county your visiting, useful phrases, all important contact numbers, provides useful tips, a check list of what to bring with you, a plan of the itinerary and lots more. This answered all the questions I had concerning the trip and also reassured my parents too. If there were any questions, all the team were happy for you to send them a Facebook message or email them and they would respond back to you within no time. Josh, also arranged some live online webinars involving other volunteers on the trip where we could all ask for any advice which was great.
When we arrived in Thailand Darryl was there waiting for us and arranged our transport to the hotel to get us settled in, which was very welcoming after a long flight and arriving in a foreign airport.
Again the support continued in country through out the trip by Sopida, Darryl and Off who would go out of their way to make sure you had a safe stay. When they weren't with us they were just a phone call or message away. Sopida waited for hours for us from 5am at a coach station when we returned from our volunteering week after our journey was delayed, and always made sure we were first to board any form of public transport. Darryl was on hand for any minor hospital trips that were needed and went above and beyond to make sure we were safe through out the trip.
Our accommodation through out the trip was safe and provided us with all the basis necessities that we needed, not to mention that they were in great locations. The location or the bungalows in Koh Phangan were beautiful on the beach front, and also the volunteering house was a stunning place to relax and bond as a group, with hammocks, speakers and seating area and the lovely owners Jack and Patricia provided us with the best breakfasts and lunches - nobody went hungry.
In our volunteer week we worked at an English camp at 1 primary and 1 secondary Thailand school teaching the children basic English. The children were so appreciative and loved us visiting them it was such a pleasure to teach such enthusiastic and happy children. The staff made us feel very welcome and the work was full on but very rewarding and fun all at the same time. There was a lot of singing and dancing involved!
My advice to anybody looking to join the programme would be to read all the volunteer book before you leave, go into the experience open minded as positive, try to attend as many trips as you can and don't pack too much (I packed more clothes than needed) also there are always shops around to buy basic toiletries such as the famous 7eleven. Also make sure you try a 7eleven toastie. Make sure you budget yourself for any nights out and keep all your important things on you.
I would have liked to have seen more islands however it was just no possible to fit it all within a month, but you could continue travelling the country after your PMGY programme on a small budget.
Hoping to do another programme in the near future. Thank you for everyone who made the trip. I have made some great friends too!

Over the summer I took part in the Real Thailand Experience which was honestly the best decision I could've made. Having not travelled much before by myself the planning and organisation by the company was excellent and everything was very straightforward. The UK team were easy to get in touch with and answered any questions, they organised my flights and the handbook I received covered everything I needed to know.
Once I got to Thailand we were met by Darryl and Sopida - they made us feel at home from the start and were the best possible people to take us through the experience. All the people who supported us while we were there genuinely care about the work they do and really do go above and beyond.
The volunteering week was so rewarding and a chance to see more of the 'real' Thailand. Again, the support we received was fantastic, Jack, Patricia and the family were wonderful.
Without writing a book it's hard to even begin to cover the things we experienced and express how amazing the trip really was, we did so much in four weeks! Stroking tigers, riding elephants, climbing a mountain, staying up 'til sunrise at the full moon party, snorkelling, getting raced round in tuk tuks, eating some weird food (scorpions, bugs and crocodile...) and nice food too, sea kayaking, white water rafting, getting a tattoo (not a compulsory part of the trip!), visiting temples and staying in floating raft houses...
That doesn't even cover it!
I met some incredible people, saw beautiful places and did awesome things, if you're thinking about doing the experience - do it.
Thanks to everyone who made it amazing.

I went on the Plan My Gap Year Real Thailand Experience on the 16th July until the 13th August 2016. I can honestly say it was the best experience of my life so far! Whilst booking, I looked at lots of different volunteering programmes with many different organisations and the PMGY coordinators were the only ones who didn’t constantly pester me to book. They provided me with the information I needed and left me to make the decision myself, answering any questions I had as quickly as they could with best intentions at heart. The handbook provided and the facebook groups available are extremely helpful when preparing. I met all of my group on facebook before travelling, and we had the opportunity to ask any questions to the tour leaders Darryl and Sopida, and the people who had already completed the experience to make sure you’re on the right track. The whole experience is designed with you in mind. I found lots of other groups base their trips completely on volunteering which in Thailand would be a shame as there are so many places to visit and you need lots of time to go to them all! The real Thailand experience however, provides you with loads of variety and includes so much! It exceeded my expectations in every single way. The accommodation you stay in is surprisingly really nice, which I didn’t expect for the price you pay! The whole travelling experience is made so easy as Darryl or Sopida is always with you ensuring you have nothing to worry about! We spoke to other young travellers who were doing it alone and they had struggled with many different aspects of the traveling such as trying to find the right bus, getting off at the right stop, and understanding what the right kind of prices you should pay are.. but going with PMGY makes it all such a breeze and you feel safe all the time. All the people you meet during the trip can’t do enough for you. Darryl and Sopida are so much more than tour leaders. They become your family whilst you are in Thailand and genuinely care about everyone so much. I ended up in a Thai hospital at one stage of my trip and they both took me there and stayed with me the whole time! If you want to go on a trip other than the ones they provide they are more than happy to help you find what you need. They are great at recommending restaurants and bars (and most of the time they join you for a good party!) And if you need anything at any point no matter what time they are happy to help! I couldn’t have asked for more off either of them and I miss them both so much! During volunteering week the family you stay with are the loveliest! Jack is so sweet and is a fab cook! The make you feel at home so quickly and the week flys by so fast! PMGY have provided me with a trip I would never have been able to experience myself within the same budget. You easily receive your moneys worth and more! I have never been so gutted to come home from a holiday. I have met friends for life thanks to PMGY and I wouldn’t change anything they include in the trip. Thailand is a place I will never forget, I cannot recommend this trip enough! I will definitely use Plan My Gap Year for any future independent travelling I might decide to do! If you are thinking about doing it then go for it! You won’t be let down!