Island Insight Volunteer Tour

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The Volunteer Programme - Phang Nga Bay

Volunteer Programme Hosts Phang Nga Bay Fishers' Community and REST
Our volunteer –cultural exchange program is based in a small island in the crystal blue waters of Phang Nga Bay. Here, more than 90% of the population of the local community are small-scale fishers. They go out to sea in small boats, cast their nets, catch fish, and rely on a healthy coastal environment to feed and support themselves and their families. Around 15 years ago, the nearby islands experienced a crisis when large-scale fishing trawlers began entering local fishing grounds with big ‘boom nets’, to catch very large amounts of fish for the commercial fishing industry. Soon, fish stocks in the area were massively depleted, leaving insufficient fish for the local community members to catch, eat and sell.
The Responsible Ecological Social Tours Project (REST) were established in 1994 by a local charity, the Thailand Volunteer Service (TVS). REST help local Thai communities to benefit from rural tourism. REST assist local community members to work together and develop tourism activities (Community based Tourism) as a way to attract guests to learn about their cultures, environments and ways of life. REST have been working with local people in the Phang Nga area for 11 years. Initially, guests were invited to witness the fishermens’ struggle against the trawlers and help lobby for this to stop. As a result, there was an increase in media attention, which helped to successfully push the trawlers out of local fishing grounds. Subsequently, the Community based Tourism Club and REST were awarded the ‘World Legacy Award for Destination Stewardship’ by Conservation International and National Geographic Traveller.
The original program has now evolved and the villagers accommodate guests in local homestays, and organise typical daily activities such as fishing outings for their guests. Whilst this is a volunteer programme and you will be helping out with day-to-day duties, the emphasis during these few days is a balance of cultural exchange and ‘giving something back.’ Not only can the locals learn more about our cultures, we too can learn about their history, as well as other aspects of their local life. Sharing local culture with guests and inspiring future conservation and ‘sustainable natural resource management’ are the main goals of this Community based Tourism programme. All volunteer activities are ‘needs based’ – they have been specifically requested by community members.

The Volunteer Programme
Imaginative Volunteers join the local community in their daily lives assisting with their everyday work. Depending on the month, duties may include planting and harvesting rice, waxing and varnishing the fishing boats as well as ‘weight switching’ the fishing nets, and teaching English at the local school. Volunteers can also join in the traditional competitions of ‘who can lift the most weights’! During the programme, volunteers live with local fishing families in a home-stay environment. There are opportunities to accompany villagers on their daily fishing trips, chill out on the beach or enjoy trekking in the local area.

What does your donation cover?
100% of your donation goes to the local community and REST. This is used to cover your food, accommodation and programme expenses, and includes a donation towards REST’s ongoing work with Thai communities. REST use funds to ensure that the programs are well prepared and coordinated – with full local participation. Ongoing work includes conduct meetings with the community members, funding local guide and homestay host training, providing support to the CBT Club and conservation activities. (See the fundraising section for ideas on how to fundraise for your donation.).

A Typical 5 Days at Phang Nga Bay
Day 1 & 2
Arrive and meet our host families. We explore the island and join in with local activities such as rubber tapping and a fishing trip into Phang Nga bay with our host families (including swimming and an island picnic). We will have language sheets and a guide to help us communicate and get the most from cultural exchange. Take some pictures from home to show your host family!

Day 3
We take time today to visit the local school, and meet the local students. There could be an opportunity to develop English resources for the tourism information center and join with a friendly sports competition.

Day 4
Volunteering! We could be mangrove planting, rice planting, sign making, fixing up boats, beautifying the village or assisting at the local Mangrove nursery…

Day 5
Sharing our experiences and Farewell.

NB: As volunteers it is important to remain flexible and keep in mind that sometimes situations may arise within the village that means your duties could change at short notice. ‘A Cool Heart is a Good Start!’ (Thai Proverb)

The island that we will stay on is Muslim. The people are extremely open and friendly. However, out of respect for their culture, they request that guests dress modestly and do not drink alcohol during their visit to the island.