Useful Information About Thailand
From dense, lush forests to long, stretching white beaches and all the glistening temples in between, Thailand embodies an elegance that filters from nature across culture and community. The country abounds with beautiful terrain and charming villages and is the home of some of the greatest historical civilisations, with royalty echoing across into their current political landscape.
When it comes to Thailand, the saying ‘Land of a Thousand Smiles’ is no exaggeration. The Thai people have an unassuming and contagious happiness. A playfulness and sense of humour are what characterises the nation along with a gentleness of spirit that makes you instantly feel calm. Volunteers in Thailand will be spoilt for choice spending time there – incredible natural wonders, aromatic and delicious food, ancient history and fascinating culture, beautiful fauna and flora – Thailand has all of it and more.
Read more here about Thailand’s climate, geography, history, culture and biodiversity.
Marine Research in South East Asia
South East Asia is one of the world’s most interesting locations for tropical marine research, especially with respect to ecology. The coral triangle, formed by the landmasses of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Timor Leste, is recognized as the global centre for marine biodiversity. Its also possible that what we call coral today, has originated here. Unfortunately, South East Asia is also a particularly stressful environment. Rapid coastal development, unsustainable industrial practices, and rapid response to atmospheric changes (climate change) make understanding, and ultimately conserving, this area key for billions of people.
The Gulf of Thailand is a particularly interesting body of water; young, shallow and notoriously underinvestigated. It originated about 10,000 years ago, when the glaciers receded after the last ice age, and its shallow depth (on average 45 meters) suggests a quick response to a warming atmosphere. River inlets frequently change salinity and introduce nutrients and organic material. Despite these changing factors (or maybe because of them) and it’s youth, it sports surprising biodiversity. The estimated species richness is higher than in the Andaman sea.
