Thailand: Volunteer Occupational Therapy/Physiotherapy Placements and Work-Experience

There is a shortage of skilled physiotherapists and occupational therapists in Thailand. If you’re currently training, recently qualified in physiotherapy or occupational therapy, or on a career break, you’ll provide valuable support and training to the staff and children at a special education centre or hospital.

You will find that the experience you can gain on this volunteer Physiotherapy or Occupational Therapy placement will let you gain a detailed overview of how the system works in Thailand, while also sometimes giving you hands on experience delivering physiotherapy or occupational therapy treatment.

You’ll go home safe in the knowledge that you’ve made a real and lasting contribution to this project and the people it serves. This programme is also a chance to improve your CV - gaining experience difficult to get in the west - and helping the children and adults at the placements.

Volunteering Abroad on a Physiotherapy Placement

All physiotherapy volunteers need to have completed at least 2 years of physiotherapy studies. Of course if you are fully qualified or in your final year of studying physiotherapy you will be very welcome too.

You will work at a special education centre in Krabi or Phuket. For all physiotherapy placements we ask that you provide your CV when you apply and please let us know if you are coming as part of a university internship.

Physiotherapy at Krabi and Phuket Special Education Centres

The special education centres in Krabi and Phuket were established by the government to provide integrated educational and social opportunities for children with special needs. The children are aged from about 5 to 19 years old and are split into groups depending on their needs.

As a volunteer at the centres you will work directly with children who have a variety of physical, mental and multiple handicaps.

At the Phuket Special Education centre there is one qualified physiotherapist. At the Krabi Special Education Centre there is only a qualified occupational therapist. At both placements volunteers are often expected to work independently with the children. The local staff speak very little English, however, the Projects Abroad coordinator will help explain the work and give you detailed information about the patients when you first arrive. They will also visit you regularly.

The staff at the special education centres would also appreciate help with some general educational activities during some parts of the day.

All physiotherapy volunteers need to commit to the placement for at least one month.

Volunteer Occupational Therapy in Thailand

Volunteer Occupational Therapists who are fully qualified or in their final year of studying occupational therapy can work in the occupational therapy department of Surat Thani hospital, about two hours drive from Krabi. Volunteers on this project need to commit to at least two months.

Volunteers who have completed at least two years of occupational therapy studies at university can work at the special education centre in Krabi. Volunteers on this placement need to commit to at least one month.

Occupational Therapy at Surat Thani Hospital

At the hospital in Surat Thani occupational therapy volunteers care for patients with a wide variety of physical disabilities to help them carry on with their daily lives.

Thailand became a member of the world federation of occupational therapists in 2002. The number of working therapists is still low and your personal experiences and knowledge will be welcomed.

Occupational Therapy volunteers at the hospital work with both adults and children with a range of problems including physical disabilities, visual or hearing impairment, dementia, autism, children with communication difficulties or behavioural and emotional problems.

There are several qualified occupational therapists at the hospital. Volunteers can gain experience in paediatrics, orthopaedics and hand therapy. Volunteers spend the first week observing the local staff, after this you will be given your own cases to work with and will be expected to work independently. You will work in the same treatment room as the local staff and they are available to help and advise you.

Occupational Therapy at Krabi Special Education Centre

The special education centre in Krabi was established by the government to provide integrated educational and social opportunities for children with special needs. The children are aged from about 5 to 19 years old and are split into groups depending on their needs.

As a volunteer at the centre you will work directly with children who have a variety of physical, mental and multiple handicaps.

At the Krabi Special Education Centre there is a qualified occupational therapist.

At this placement volunteers are expected to work independently with the children. The local staff speak very little English, however, the Projects Abroad coordinator will help explain the work and give you detailed information about the patients when you first arrive. They will also visit you regularly.

The staff at the special education centre would also appreciate help with some general educational activities during some parts of the day.

Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Elective Placements in Thailand

Volunteers in Thailand can do an Elective in Physiotherapy or Occupational Therapy.

Physiotherapy volunteers can take part in an elective placement at the special education centre in Krabi.

Occupational Therapy volunteers can complete an elective placement at the hospital in Surat Thani and need to commit to 2 months.