Rain Tree Foundation Logo

Rain Tree Foundation Manual

VOLUNTEER MANUAL

Thank You for Volunteering

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with the Rain Tree Foundation. We’re committed to making your experience meaningful, impactful, and rewarding. Please read this guide carefully and reach out with any questions before your departure.

Volunteering is a life-changing journey. You’ll serve others, learn about yourself, and grow through cultural exchange and hands-on experience.

Join us as we work to uplift lives in rural Thailand.

About Rain Tree Foundation

The Rain Tree Foundation is a grassroots, non-profit organization registered under Thailand's Ministry of Interior. Our work focuses on rural, underdeveloped communities, and our mission is to empower people through:

Our key projects include children’s homes, Foster children program, support of village schools and agricultural projects in several villages. Volunteers primarily help within our projects, providing care, companionship, and cultural exchange.

Index

  1. General Advice

  2. Volunteer Profile

  3. Volunteer Application Process

  4. Pre-Departure Information

  5. Visa

  6. Accommodation in Chiang Mai

  7. Getting Around

  8. Office Address

  9. Health & Insurance

  10. Arrival in Thailand & Chiang Mai

  11. Volunteer Fee

  12. Information of Project

  13. Cultural Awareness

  14. Volunteer Guidelines & Rules

  15. Daily Etiquette & Hygiene

  16. Reporting & Feedback

General Advice

We come from different cultures and backgrounds, but when volunteering together, some guidelines are essential. Please respect Thai and tribal culture, and remember —your purpose here is to help, not to be served.

Everyone sees the world differently; no perspective or culture is better than another. Be open-minded, humble, and willing to learn from those around you.

Be a genuine role model. Children learn by observing adults, so your actions matter. You don’t need to pretend — just be your best self. It takes effort, but being a positive example can make a lasting impact.

Rain Tree Foundation Volunteer Manual General Advice

Volunteer Application Process

  1. Completed application form and send to us

  2. Once your application is received we will try to match a project to you in the time period you want to volunteer.

  3. Once we can match you with a project, we let you know and you need to prepare the following:

    • Police background check certificate, apply at your local police office in your home country and send to us.

    • Flight booking, arrival and departure dates, times and flight number. Use the Pre๏ฟพDeparture Form.

    • Travel insurance copy

    • If you are under 20 years old, we require your parent to complete and sign the Appointment as Guardian form. This document grants Rain Tree Foundation permission to serve as your legal guardian while you participate in our program.

  4. After we have reviewed and approved your documents, we will send you the briefing schedule.

  5. At the project sites, the foundation provides lodging and three basic local meals daily. However, volunteers are responsible for covering their own accommodation and meal costs while in Chiang Mai.

Pre-Departure Information

Pre-Departure Form

 Pre-Departure Form (Sample)

First Name:  
Last Name:  
Date/Time of arrival in Chiang Mai:  

 

PASSPORT INFORMATION

Passport Number:  
Nationality:  
Date of issue:  
Date of expiry  
Issued at:  

 

INSURANCE INFORMATION

Departure Date:  
Airline:  
Flight Number:  
Arrival Date/Time in Chiang Mai:  
Departure Date Chiang Mai:  
Airline:  
Flight Number:  
Departure Time in Chiang Mai:  

 

EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

Name:  
Relation to applicant:  
Address/Country:  
Email:  
Home Phone:  
Mobile Phone:  



Visa

Visa Type

VISA INFORMATION

EU passport holders can enter Thailand without a visa and stay 60 days as a tourist. You can extend this for 30 more days locally (90 days total). For other passport holders please check on the Thai immigration homepage.

Short-term volunteers only

Due to immigration visa rules, we can only accept volunteers with a visa on arrival for up to 60-90 days.

Digital Arrival Card

All visitors must complete Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online before arrival starting May 1, 2025.

Notify Address TM30

Any volunteer needs to notify the address where they are located within the local immigration office in Thailand. When you first come, this will be done by your hotel or guesthouse. Leaving the country for a holiday trip or else and arriving back on the same visa, the TM 30 form needs to be updated within 24 hours, otherwise a fine will be charged. If you need assistance, we can help you.

Accommodation in Chiang Mai

Reserve your Chiang Mai accommodation for 4 nights. During your first 3 days, you'll attend sessions at our office including orientation, an introduction to Thai and Karen culture, and basic language instruction. If you are not sure where to stay we can help you with recommendations according to your budget.

Getting Around

Office Address

Rain Tree Foundation
262/1 Moo 5 Ban Huathung
T. Nong Kwai, A. Hang Dong
Chiang Mai 50230
๐Ÿ“ž +66 53 125 199 / +66 85 716 1192
๐Ÿ“ Google Maps

Office Hours:
Monday–Friday, 08:00–17:00
Closed on weekends

Health & Insurance

Travel health insurance is mandatory by the Thai Immigration. It must cover medical emergencies and repatriation. We also recommend coverage for accident, liability, trip cancellation, and lost belonging. Suggestion for minimum medical coverage is 1,000,000 THB.

Insurance Requirements

Vaccinations

Consult your doctor and check online your key authorities which vaccination they recommend. Do that at least 4–6 weeks before traveling. The Raintree Foundation does not require mandatory vaccination. General recommended vaccines include:

Malaria & Dengue

While malaria risk is low in most areas, it can exist in rural or forested regions. Dengue fever, spread by mosquitoes, is more common — especially during the rainy season.

Arrival in Thailand & Chiang Mai

Airport Pick-Up

If you fly in from another country, you will land at the international terminal. If you fly in from within Thailand, you will land at the domestic terminal. We will meet you at exit door #1 of the domestic terminal.

We will pick you up from Chiang Mai Airport and take you to the hotel or guesthouse you booked. Upon arrival at your lodging, you'll receive an roughly informational briefing and orientation. We'll also help you get set up with a local SIM card.

SIM Card

The following day then take a taxi, Grab or Bolt ride to our office.

First Day at the Office

Start of orientation process

Mandatory first day in office

Volunteer Fee

Volunteers give their time for free, but running volunteer programs costs money. We don't make any profit from volunteer fees. Your fee helps pay for:

Cost: 4,800 THB per month + 3,200 THB for Thai language lessons

We are non-profit. Fees only cover real costs - nothing more.

What the fee does NOT cover:

Information of Project

You'll work in remote mountain villages, an average of 4 hours driving from the city. Living is simple:

Volunteer Schedule

Monday to Saturday, 6-8 hours per day (depends on the project)

What you'll do:

Note:

School Breaks

During holidays, children go back to their home villages. The children's home will be empty.

You can still volunteer during this time to help with:

Volunteer Schedule

Cultural Awareness

Embrace cultural differences with humility. Thai and Karen traditions differ from what you're used to. Smile, listen, and observe. Be open to new perspectives and avoid criticism.

Volunteer Guidelines & Rules

This work is not always easy, and everyone may have different expectations and ideas — that’s why we have rules in place, to help everything run smoothly for everyone involved.

Volunteer Rules

Strictly Forbidden:

Required

These rules protect everyone, the children and the volunteers. Breaking the rules means immediate removal from the project.

Daily Etiquette & Hygiene

General Behavior

Meals

Cleanliness

Reporting & Feedback

What You Need to Submit:

Send to:
๐Ÿ“ง noei@raintree-foundation.org
๐Ÿ“ง info@thaicare.de

Each volunteer will be assigned to an email address:

volunteer@raintree-foundation.org to access our own Wikipedia (you will receive the link once you arrive) which contains more information helpful for your stay with us. The email account will also grand access to Google Mail, Drive, Photos to write emails, share and upload documents and pictures for our team.

Ongoing Evaluation

Final Debrief

Contacts

Noei  

Thailand
๐Ÿ“ Noei – Volunteer Coordinator Assistant
๐Ÿ“ง noei@raintree-foundation.org
๐Ÿ“ž +66 (0) 83 760 2329
     
Noei  

Germany
๐Ÿ“ Anne – Thai Care
๐Ÿ“ง info@thaicare.de

We are thrilled to welcome you.
Thank you for making a difference!