The living conditions – for volunteers & voluntourists.
Note* There is more detailed information in the volunteer programmes section.
Whilst on site, volunteers with be accommodated at the Pang Soong Lodge. Sleeping arrangements are “bunk bed style”, with male and female volunteers provided with their own shared fan cooled dormitories.
Note* The temperatures throughout the year are cool and air conditioning is not required.
Photoimages below show the main building, the accommodation, the bedding, the dining area, a meeting and accommodation building, the natural swimming pool,and the flat area used for recreation.
At the Pang Soong Lodge, the buildings are predominantly of wooden construction in the Khun Muang style. They include fly screens on the windows, a lockable door and electric fans. Bunk beds include a thin but comfortable mattress, clean white sheets and a blanket. Volunteers are expected to help keep facilities tidy during their stay i.e. taking shoes off before entering the bedroom, and by not littering.
Volunteers will have access to shared bathroom facilities. Again, separate facilities are available for male and female volunteers. Hot water is on tap and there are ample shower cubicles available. The toilets are western style.
Laundry facilities and drying space will be made available, and volunteers will be expected to wash their own clothes.
220v electricity is available 24 hours a day, electrical outlets require two straight pins, so adapters will be required.
The lounge area is an indoor room with sofa, TV, DVD player, board games, desks and a PC. Whilst it is expected that most free time will be spent outside, the lounge area provides a relaxing place to spend time, work, talk and relax.
A playing field is located within 100 metres of the main buildings where volunteers can play football, games or simply sit, read, talk and enjoy the sunshine.
Communications.
The Lodge is equipped with a satellite supplied ADSL line allowing international telephone, fax and email communications.
A small fee is charged for internet usage.
Skype is installed on the PC and a headset is provided.
The installation of other VOIP programmes is under consideration.
The meals
Three meals a day will be provided, including breakfast, lunch and dinner.
If you are in a group of less than 20 volunteers, meals will be served as a “set meal”. If you are in a group of more than 20 volunteers, meals will be served in a “buffet style”.
Typical breakfast: Scrambled eggs, toast, ham and rice soup, as well as tea and coffee.
Typical lunch or dinner: Would be steamed rice plus 2-3 Thai dishes i.e. chicken curry, fried rice, chicken with basil, pork with pepper, Thai soup.
On occasion groups may take lunch away from the Pang Soong Lodge; this will generally be a picnic box with fried rice, a BBQ chicken wing, a boiled egg and a banana.
At all meals, an option will be made available for vegetarians if present.
Fresh water will be available at all times from the water cooler, and volunteers are encouraged to hydrate often and fill their own water bottles from there.
Additionally, a shop is available on site where volunteers can purchase soft drinks, snacks, cakes and other treats, as well as soap, toothpaste etc.
Refrigerators are on site in the kitchen and in the service area.
All meals will be cooked by the Pang Soong Lodge kitchen staff, although volunteers will be asked to help prepare meals, learn cooking instructions, clean up plates, bowls etc and to keep the dining area and campfire area clean. This will be organized via a roster, ensuring a fair distribution of work.
Nearby banks, stores and communications.
The nearest bank / ATM outlet is 40 minutes away from the Pang Soong Lodge at San Kamphaeng. This is also the nearest main town, although smaller villages are located very close to the lodge itself.
No external shops, bars, clubs or otherwise are located in the area of the Pang Soong Lodge. There is a snack shop/bar on site at the Lodge.
Volunteers will have the opportunity to exchange their home currency for Thai Baht on the way from Chiang Mai Airport to the Lodge. If additional Baht is required, volunteers can travel into town at a small cost.
Overview of the Pang Soong Nature Trails.
Description of each trail.
