Beautification of Chiang Mai

  Thailand

• Chiang Mai: 
Chiang Mai

Term: Throughout the year 
Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: The 1st and 3rd Monday of every month.

Description: One of the drawbacks of Thailand's rapid development has been the overcrowding of city streets and loss of green spaces. Due to this reason, recently a movement was initiated by Chiang Mai City Hall in an attempt to beautify the city. This movement included the development of the parks and green spaces, along with putting flowers and other plants where they aren't usually seen, like bridges or intersections. The people of Chiang Mai take great pride in the appearance of their city, however, like in so many cities throughout the world, Chiang Mai City's budget for beautifying the city isn't very large and any assistance volunteers can give in this area will be greatly appreciated by the residents of Chiang Mai.

Volunteers in this project work to develop and maintain the nine public parks and green spaces of Chiang Mai and special event planning, preparation, set up and clean up. The old city of Chiang Mai is surrounded by a large square moat, which has been protected because of its beauty and historical significance to the city. Volunteers will assist in the upkeep and beautification of this area and other historical structures within the city. The upkeep and development of these areas will include planting, trimming, watering and fertilizing the flowers and plants (many of which are native to Thailand) in these areas. Many of Chiang Mai's bridges and sidewalks have come under the jurisdiction of the beautification movement. Therefore, volunteers may also assist in the upkeep and planting of flowers and plants in these areas.

Serving under the direction of the Public Parks, Landscape Development and Special Event Planning Division of Chiang Mai City Hall, volunteers assist and work alongside city officials, park managers and grounds keepers. Due to serving within the sphere of Chiang Mai City Hall, volunteers will be invited to take part in many activities that include the city officials.

Chiang Mai has many public holiday celebrations (parades, shows, special holiday customs, etc) and special events that occur within their yearly calendar. Volunteers will assist in the planning, preparation and operation of the special events. Volunteers will decorate public areas, work on floats, costumes, props, stages, etc.

Thai (and Chiang Mai) holidays:

New Years - Dec.31st January 1st - Celebrated like everywhere else in the world, Thais gather in large groups to count down the seconds to the new year. Thais however use the Buddhist era, as opposed to the Christian/western year. Therefore, it's currently 2551.

The Chiang Mai Flower Festival February - A Chiang Mai festival during the cool season when the flowers are most in bloom. Beauty pageants and parades with flowers everywhere accompany this festival.

Thai New Year (Songkran) mid-April - Chiang Mai is the epicenter for Songkran fun, where Thais bring in the Thai new year with paying respect to elders and the local temples by giving blessings of water and gifts. An all out friendly water fight takes over the city for three days, where Chiang Mai residents and local visitors and tourists engage in fun water fights around the old Chiang Mai City moat.

Inthakin late May - A local Chiang Mai holiday where long term residents celebrate the city's founding and pay worship to the local deities with ceremony and offerings at the Chiang Mai City Pillar, located in one of the historic Buddhist temples in the old city.

Mother's Day August 12th - Mother's Day takes special relevance in Thailand as it is also the Queen of Thailand's birthday.

Loy Krathong The evening of the full moon in November - A northern Thai holiday where Thais give thanks to "mother river" for bringing them life and prosperity. This holiday is also known colloquially in English as "The Lantern Festival." Releasing, small intricately made banana leaf boats on the river and lighting candle lit, hot air lanterns are part of this holiday. Accompanying the other events are parades and barge decorating competitions.

Father's Day December 5th - Father's Day takes special relevance in Thailand as it is also the King of Thailand's birthday.

Friends For Asia and Chiang Mai City Hall will not allow volunteers to engage in work that is dangerous or hazardous.

Highlights: Chiang Mai is a pleasant city, encircled by mountains and lush rice fields. Chiang Mai is Thailand's second largest city with a population of roughly 700,000. The city is considered the cultural and physical capital of (what used to be) the northern Thai (Lanna) kingdom. Chiang Mai is the home of an international airport, restaurants of almost every cuisine, incredible shopping and world class hospitals.

During or after one's volunteer service, Friends For Asia recommends for volunteers to take part in some of the many different local attractions and/or courses. Every Sunday Chiang Mai closes off one of the main roads in the old city to put on a walking street market. Vendors and artisans from the area set up their small booths to sell their handicrafts, art and mouthwatering finger foods.

Chiang Mai offers Thai cooking courses starting around USD35, Thai massage courses starting around USD45, along with jungle treks and regular Muay Thai (Thai boxing) matches. Upon your arrival into Chiang Mai, Friends For Asia will be more than happy to help you sign up for one of these exciting opportunities to learn more about this beautiful culture.

Qualifications: Volunteers do not need any specific qualifications, but should be able-bodied, enjoy working outside and flexible to change. Decisions on events in Chiang Mai City Hall are sometimes made at the last minute which requires a great amount of flexibility and understanding for all involved.

Cost in US$: 695

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: An individual who loves to travel, wants to learn more about Thailand and assist Asia in it's development.

Age Range: 18 and up

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Thailand in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 2 or 3

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad

Friends For Asia's Mission Statement: The mission of Friends For Asia is twofold. We offer an opportunity for people to contribute, in a meaningful way, to the improvement of standards of living by building capacity in our host agencies and we provide committed volunteers to work on projects developed with host agencies that benefit the people of Thailand.

Year Founded: 2008