are there any fees
the TSCWA does not charge volunteers any fees to participate. you pay just for your own food and personal stuff although we ask that Bt500 (US$15) per week be paid in advance for a lunch of fried rice or similar, drinking water, cooking and laundry facilities, bedding, fan, and costs towards utilities such as water and electricity. Also included is the use of a motorcycle and car when necessary but gas is at the expense of the volunteer.

can I wear shorts
always a common question asked as guide books refer to the inappropriateness of wearing shorts in public but this advice is rather dated. work shorts are fine, but long army surplus trousers will be better suited. for girls, strapless tops are not appropriate and t-shirts are best. it will always be hot so light clothes and cheap sports shoes are ideal.

what happens when I arrive
we can meet you at the airport but it is quite easy to take either a public taxi or the Airport Link skytrain and volunteers are welcome to stay a night or two in Bangkok at our office and then be driven directly to our project base about 2 hours away.

how much money should I expect to spend
your food and other personal costs will likely be around US$150-$200 per month, but this will alter depending on how much imported food you wish to buy. buying a local plate of ready-cooked Thai food and a drink will cost $1.50. cash cards from any banks will work in local automatic cash machines and Visa and Mastercard facilities are widely available.

where can I get mail sent
best address to give is the TSCWA's Bangkok address BUT please DO NOT send registered mail - just simple air mail.;
your name
Thai Society for the Conservation of Wild Animals
517 Soi Ratchata Phan
Rajaprarop Rd, Makkasan
Bangkok 10400 THAILAND.

what about a telephone number in case of emergency
give out the Bangkok office number; 662+2480405 and Gary's handphone number; 6684+8785290 but email is always the easiest and best.

will my handphone work
any handphone with international roaming facilities can be connected into the local networks. when you dial out, you will likely be charged the local rate plus a premium added on by your own provider. best and cheapest solution is to purchase a local SIM card for about US$2.00, get a local number, and buy prepaid time. calls inside Thailand are about 10 cents per minute.

what about Internet access
there are many Internet cafes for sending email close to all the projects and in all towns throughout the country. use costs $1.50 per hour.

can I have time off to travel and what is a normal work schedule
of course, but please give us some indication of when and for how long before you arrive. but keep in mind that you will probably have the opportunity to see or work at other projects as well. the normal work week is monday to saturday starting around 8am and finishing at 5pm.

are your projects near traveller's destinations
used as a base, our project base is nearby the tourist coastal town of Pattaya. It is unlikely to be of interest to volunteers but serves well as a place to shop for western conveniences. But nearby and an easy bus and boat ride away are also the popular island destinations of Koh Samet and Koh Chang. In the far mountainous north, our Mae Hong Son project is less than a couple of hours away from Pai and you will have gone through ChiangMai on your way there.

do I need an international driving license
this is not necessary. although depending on the project volunteers will likely have regular access to a reliable but beaten-up vehicle and a current driving license from any country is acceptable.

what should I take against malaria
volunteers are most unlikely to be near malaria-infected areas, whether in our projects or when travelling. taking antibiotics can make it difficult for doctors to diagnose the relevant strain in the event of infection, so local authorities advise to not take anything as treatments are well developed. vaccination against rabies is advised and can be done locally at quite a reasonable cost.