If you’re planning a long-term trip to Thailand, you might want to consider doing some volunteering. Besides saving some money on your journey, it will give you the chance to truly live alongside locals (not just as a tourist) and create a meaningful connection while doing a small but rewarding job.
We chose to help out at Oasis Garden, alongside Theo and Nata (and their cat Tofu), who treated us incredibly well and made our stay an unforgettable experience we will always remember fondly.
What is the Oasis Garden?
What is the Oasis Garden?
The Oasis Garden is a campsite located in southern Thailand, between Khao Sok National Park and the province of Surat Thani. It is completely immersed in the forest, right next to the Wae River.
It offers visitors a unique experience, with just enough comfort but the chance to wake up to birdsong in one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been, swim in the river by jumping from a vine, and taste the most delicious fruit smoothies while breathing fresh air.
It was built by the same family that now owns the campsite, and they continue to expand it with the help of volunteers like us.
Our Work as Volunteers
In our case, the work consisted of very simple gardening tasks. We were always working alongside Theo, who explained how to carry out the tasks and helped us with everything.
The work itself might not have been the most exciting in the world, and I admit it was quite tiring, but working outdoors, with your partner and with someone as kind as Theo, while chatting and laughing, fills your body with a sense of well-being that anyone would envy.
Even though the work was a bit physical, of course, no one expected us to have specific skills or to meet any kind of quota. We did what we could within our own abilities, and after four hours, we would all gather to enjoy a delicious meal after a good morning’s work.
The working hours were quite short, four hours a day with two days off per week, during which we could swim in the river, go on a hike to the waterfalls, or just relax chatting or playing cards with the family members.
What We Received in Return
The family provided us with accommodation during our stay, as well as three delicious vegetarian meals a day. These meals included a wide variety of Thai dishes prepared with lots of love, plus all the fruit you could eat — and occasionally a fruit smoothie or a special Thai dessert made with care to make our stay pleasant and special.
I must say that the stay wasn’t completely free, but the price we paid was symbolic: 250 baht per person per night to cover minimal expenses like electricity and cooking ingredients — far, far less than you’d spend on food and lodging on your own. Some people might feel that their work already covers those costs, but it’s important to understand that the Oasis Garden gladly welcomes all kinds of volunteers, some with more skills than others, and many with no previous experience in anything similar. And realistically, an average tourist, even with the best intentions, won’t get close to doing in four hours what a family member does in that same time, and barely covers the effort they gladly make to cook you the most elaborate and delicious meals. So personally, I found it a small and very fair price, which I was happy to pay.
Truly Living with Nature
As all nature lovers know, the downside of venturing far from urban areas and deep into the forest is usually the presence of mosquitoes and other insects. Additionally, since you're in Thailand, some of these exotic "bugs" might not seem very friendly if you're not used to them.
You’ll likely have to coexist with spiders larger than the palm of your hand (very common in Thailand, though I must say they’re not dangerous) and insects you’ve probably never seen before, which can either fascinate you or feel like a nightmare—depending on your personality.
We didn’t encounter any dangerous animals, and surprisingly, there were hardly any mosquitoes in the area where we slept (in any case, the beds have mosquito nets). However, the campsite is located in a forested area, which is one of the few places in Thailand with a slight risk of malaria (though it’s still considered low). We personally chose to take the preventive malaria medication (which, for those who don’t know, comes in pill form and is taken daily from three days before exposure until one week after). Some people decide not to take them, but it’s a personal decision I recommend discussing with your doctor.
This is what we take away from all this experience
Volunteering at Oasis Garden was not only a way to save money on our trip, but also a deeply human experience. It allowed us to connect with amazing people, learn from simplicity, and enjoy nature in an authentic way, far from conventional tourism. If you have an open mind, some time, and a willingness to contribute your grain of sand, we encourage you to live an experience like this. Not every journey is measured in kilometers: some stay with you long beyond the path traveled.
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