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With the assistance of the translator you can participate and learn about the daily lives of the villagers, from the community guide's local knowledge. Even something as simple as preparing a meal with your host family can be an intimate and warming experience that allows you to touch and appreciate their simple lives.
| "Our most enjoyable experiences were participating in cashew nut shelling and making fishing nets; simply having a better understanding of how the family earned a living. The hosts were continuously trying to make conversation and explain things around the village. For example, gaining a better understanding of the devastating effects of the tsunami to the home in which we stayed and the surrounding area." |
| Abi, International Volunteer Society University of Birmingham July - August, 2006 |
Click on an activity from the list below for a complete description, or simply scroll down the page.
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Thai Cooking |
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Traditional Fishing |
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Lunch on a Krachang |
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Natural Rubber Tapping |
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Fruit and Cashew Nut Harvesting |
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Cultural Workshop |
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| ©Craig Lovell 2005 |
Thai Cooking
Learn how to cook a variety of mouth watering Thai dishes with the experts themselves, the women of the village. These women have culinary skills to rival any five-star chef and will share their skills with you so that when you return home you can impress your friends with an authentic Thai dinner party! You are welcome to help the host family prepare breakfast, lunch, or dinner — just inform the translator!
| "The food will be a highlight of any home-stay, and you certainly won't go hungry! Every meal is like eating out at the best Thai restaurant back home, and the hosts are more than willing to accommodate vegetarians or guests who aren't haven't quite got Thai tolerance to chilies!" |
| Leena, International Volunteer Society University of Birmingham, July - August, 2006 |
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Thai Dessert Making
For those with sweet teeth, you may not want to miss making traditional dessert, or kanom, in the village. There are many varieties of kanom, which is usually made with flour, coconut and sugar. It is a fun and interactive activity and your host will guide you through the entire process of making kanom — and you can enjoy eating it at the end!
Traditional Fishing
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A really fun trip for all visitors, not just those who enjoy fishing. Head out through the lush mangroves in a long-tail boat and into the open sea to join local fishermen on their daily trips. See them hauling in their traditional fishing nets by hand revealing a bounty of sea life including groupers, red and white snapper, tuna and barracuda. You'll also learn about sustainable fishing techniques and the variety of traditional traps and nets used to catch squid, lobster, crabs, and fish. The equipment is simple yet effective and includes a simple hand held line with hook. Night fishing under the moonlight is a truly magical experience, popular with all ages of people.
| "I always thought I didn't like fishing but being out under the stars on a calm sea was so soothing and enjoyable." |
| Adrian, Ban Talae Nok village July, 2007 |
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Lunch on a Krachang
A Krachang is a traditional floating fish farm, a bit like a floating wooden hut with netted areas to enclose the fish. The Krachang includes a small living area where visitors can watch their delicious lunch being prepared. The visitors can then sit on the open deck, surrounded by mangroves and feast on a selection of mouth-watering Southern Thai curries and freshly caught seafood. You are most welcome to feed the fish, just mind you don't get splashed!
Natural Rubber Tapping
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| ©Craig Lovell 2005 |
The Andaman region has a host of rubber plantations. Some of the villages work on rubber plantations. You will notice rows of rubber trees with their characteristic coconut shell collecting pot attached to each one. If you see lots of what looks like bath mats hanging up, that will be the sheets of rubber left out to dry. You will see how the locals process this natural latex, from tapping the tree to rolling it into the finished product. You can even try your hand at rubber tapping; it's not as easy as it looks! Rubber is main source of income for some of the villagers; it is used to make tires, diving fins, and shoes.
Fruit and Cashew Nut Harvesting
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Let local villagers introduce you to some of Thailand's unique local fruit. During the green season of June, July, and August, the fruit orchards come to life. Feast on an exotic array of durians, rambutans, jackfruit, mangosteens, and logans picked straight from the tree. Join in the fun process of selecting ripe fruit then enjoy them immediately or later at the homestay. During the month of March, villages' sprawling cashew orchards bear their surprisingly pear-shaped fruit. Guests can watch the lengthy process involved in harvesting the cashew nuts and join in the lively roasting process. After this, each cashew nut is individually shelled by hand, ready for sale in the local market.
Cultural Workshop
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After dinner is the ideal time to get to know your host family. By simply learning a few Thai words and smiling, you'll break down the cultural barriers and start to connect. The families are very different and rely on different ways to make some income. You may find yourself helping the ladies to shell cashew nuts or weave fishing nets. Informal workshops are an opportunity to share stories, show photographs of your family and learn more about each others cultures in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, with the help from your translator. The families are always keen to show you how to wear their traditional sarongs and headscarves, which are a great photo opportunity for everyone back home.
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