ALL INCLUDED
Accommodation, Volunteering and Touring in Unseen Thailand
Starting from € 295,- per week
Click here to make a reservation and get a 30% discount
Thai style bungalow
- double bed
- air-conditioning
- ceiling fan
- power socket with USB
- charging
- dresser and closet
- mini fridge
- TV screen
- western style bathroom
- shower heater
Garden facilities
- fully equipt kitchen corner
- fridge
- hot and cold water dispenser
- barbecue
- sitting corner and dinner table
- ceiling fan
- TV screen
- projector
- media system
- books and board games
Breakfast necessities
- tea and coffee
- bread, jams and spreads
- eggs and cheese
- ham, bacon, sausages
- milk, yogurt, water
- cereal and fruit
Volunteering
- welcome briefing
- placement at a school of choice
- school introduction day
- English resource library
- weekly meeting
- volunteer guidance
Weekend touring
- transportation
- tour guide
- park entry fees
- lunch
Additional
- transportation to and from
bus station - free bicycle use
- high speed internet
- full time assistance
About villa voluntour
Who We Are
After doing volunteer work himself, Doeke Koedijk from Holland, his wife Wanwisa and their two children, settled down in Phetchabun, Thailand. They build their dream house and a tropical garden behind it.

During travel in the province it became clear that at many schools in the region, students learn English but are never able to practice with a foreigner. Students lack the confidence to speak English and the vocabulary they have learned is easily forgotten. Doeke Koedijk and his wife realized that they were in a position to help.
In 2017 Villa Voluntour was founded and construction of a resort was started. Its first goal; to provide comfort to volunteers who, with kindness and joy, help others. And second, to set out a path for creating a unique experience. One that will never be forgotten but forever cherished.
Wanwisa Chuasuwan
Born in Phetchabun, the heart of Thailand, I really enjoyed learning English. At university I chose English as my major. After receiving my bachelor degree in English and finishing my internship at Nong Bulanpu, I moved to Nong Khai to teach English at Ratprachanukroh 14. This school, founded and supported by late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, is aimed to, help those suffering from natural disasters such as storms and flooding, and to provide free quality education to those who can not afford it.I had dedicated my life to teaching students English grammar and vocabulary, but I also took care of volunteers who were assigned to my school. These volunteers helped Thai students improve not only their English communication, but also their comprehensions skills. In 2006 I met Doeke.
Doeke Koedijk
In 2002 I decided to take a sabbatical year. I traveled to Australia and shortly explored New Zealand. It was at the end of my trip that I visited Thailand. In that month I fell in love with the people and their culture. I quickly noticed that Thai people were sincerely friendly and that Thailand was truly the land of smiles. I returned to my home in the Netherlands but I had not forgotten about my first impressions of Thailand. Two years later I decided to quit my job and become a volunteer teacher.In Nong Khai, in the North of Thailand, I taught computer science and Photoshop to Mattayom students at secondary school Ratprachanukroh 14. The opportunity to share what I had learned, was an amazing rewarding experience. It’s during this time as a volunteer that I met teacher Wanwisa.
Settle down
Having family in Phetchabun, Doeke and Wanwisa figured that it made sense to move to there. They built the house of their dreams, prepared plans to build a beautiful tropical garden, they continued teaching and they even set up a small school for students to follow extra English lessons.
Both Wanwisa and Doeke have always had a desire to make positive contributions to society. In 2008, Doeke’s father announced that he had found a new tulip variety. Since it was a new yellow species, both Doeke and Wanwisa imagined how beautiful it would be if this new tulip could be named after His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. They decided to write an official request.
In 2009, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej granted permission to name the tulip “King Bhumibol“.
Highly honored by this announcement, they were motivated to do more. When they learned that schools in surrounding communities often lacked a qualified English teacher, they remembered the positive influence foreign volunteers had on the students’ ability to learn, understand and more importantly, speak the English language.
Every school they had talked to, showed gratitude and all were very positive about the prospect of learning English with a foreigner.
With the tropical garden in the back of their house nearing completion, they started working on a plan to house volunteers, guide them with volunteering and even on showing them their beautiful province Phetchabun. Volunteers would not only help others but would also gain an unforgettable experience of true Thailand.
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Villa Voluntour is located in the heart of Thailand, in the province Phetchabun. Part of the North of Thailand, Phetchabun borders rural Isaan in the North East.
This beautiful province, some 350 kilometres North of Bangkok, lies in the broad fertile river valley of the Pa Sak river. There are mountains to the North, East and West. Because of these mountains, the weather is cooler and Phetchabun has therefore become a very popular tourist destination for Thai people, who seek relief for the hot weather in the metropolitan area.
The symbol of the province is Tamarind, a bean-like fruit that is used in cuisines around the world. In the name Phetchabun, phetcha comes from the Sanskrit word vajra meaning “diamond”, and the word bun comes from purna meaning “perfect” or “full”. The name of the province literally translates to “perfect diamond”.
Phetchabun is largely unseen by western tourism but is surely worth visiting. There are three large national parks with local wildlife and beautiful waterfalls.
Throughout the year there are several large festivals and on Fridays and Saturdays there are atmospheric night markets in the city Phetchabun and to the North, in Lom Sak.
Phetchabun proudly celebrates its Thai culture through festivals and ceremonial activities. Furthermore, there are some spectacular temples to be seen and the scenery with its mountainous landscape is breathtaking.
An interactive Google Map can be found here.
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As a volunteer you teach or assist at a local school. Your help, no matter how much or little, is greatly appreciated. Students become more confident in learning the English language and are forever grateful.
The volunteer work involves teaching English to Thai students aged 5 to 18.
Before committing to volunteering ask yourself what you would like to teach, to what age group and for how long. Contact us so that we can find a school that suits you.
On the first day of volunteering we will introduce you to your school and to its students. The school might ask you to also give a short introduction about yourself in ‘easy to understand English’.
A typical school day looks like this:
8:00 assembly and announcements
8:30 classes begin
11:10 lunch time
12:10 assembly and classes continue
15:30 school day ends
One of the first things you will notice at your school, is how grateful the teachers are and also that they want to take care of you, all the time. The students too, although shy, are very happy to meet you. You’ll quickly get to know them better and learn about their passion to practice English with you.
As for teaching, let us know what you feel comfortable with. Take your time to observe. Once you’ve settled-in, you might want to assist a Thai teacher with their lessons. This can be done by playing English games, doing communication activities, teaching new vocabulary, guiding students with their workbook exercises, or even by running small projects. Do you have any ideas yourself? Please let us know.
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Although these reasons may vary from person to person, one thing is very likely, you care about a better world. You want to help others but you also understand that there is nothing wrong with enjoying yourself while doing that.
Age:
You are at least 18 years old on the day you start.
Language Skills
You can speak English.
Criminal Background
You have no criminal record.
Education Level
You have at least finished High school.
Nationality
You from any country in the world. Your help is always welcome.
Behavior and Skills
You are somewhat creative and able to easily adjust to a new situation. You are respectful to others, their customs and their traditions.
Time Commitment
You are willing to help on week days during your stay.
People choose to volunteer for a variety of reasons. For some it offers the chance to give something back to the community or to make a difference to the people around them. For others it provides an opportunity to develop new skills or build on existing experience and knowledge.
Being interested in doing volunteer work shows that you like to spend your time proactively and wisely. You are investing it in something you care about.
Volunteering allows you to connect to a community and make it a better place. Even helping out with the smallest tasks can make a real difference to people in need.
On a personal level it is good for your mind and body. It provides many benefits to both mental and physical health. Volunteering helps counteract the effects of stress, anger, and anxiety.
Volunteering can help you learn new skills, gain experience and sometimes even qualifications. Through volunteering you can challenge yourself to try something different, achieve personal goals, practice using your skills and discover hidden talents.
Volunteering abroad allows you see the world and do something for a community in return. In the end it’s all about the joy of making a difference on the one side, while receiving immense value on the other. At Villa Voluntour you do just that. Take on a challenge and have fun!
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INCLUDED
On the day of your arrival or departure, we’ll provide free transportation from and to Phetchabun or Lom Sak city.
Most people arrive in Thailand by plane, either through Bangkok (Suvarnabumi airport) or Chiang Mai. There is an airport in Phetchabun but it’s currently under construction. There is no railway to Phetchabun either, but it makes up for all this with a good bus link. Buses in Bangkok leave from public transportation hub Mochit.
A bus to Phetchabun will take you approximately 6 hours during the day, and 8 hours at night.
Taking a bus from Bangkok, your destination will be bus station Phetchabun. From Chiang Mai, choose bus station Lom Sak.
Inform us when you are an hour from your destination. We’ll be there to pick you up.
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Upon arrival we welcome you to our home and give you a full welcome briefing. We also show you your accommodation and the surrounding area.
During this orientation briefing we’ll do our best to make you feel at home and answer any question you might still have. This is then followed by an informal briefing with things you should know about. We’ll also give you advice and teach you some useful words and sentences in Thai.
We understand how important it can be to have some guidance during your first days as a volunteer. Our goal is to support you in any way, and to make your stay at Villa Voluntour as pleasant as possible.
The briefing covers the following:
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You’ll stay in a Thai traditional style bungalow located in a relaxing tropical garden.
double bed
room size: 20 m²/215 ft²![]()
air-conditioning
ceiling fan
western style bathroom
universal power socket with USB
dresser and closet
mini fridge
TV screen
shower heater
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An open pavilion with everything you need. From facilities to prepare food to entertainment. Relax in a perfect garden hide away.
A head start for your teaching or simply a source for inspiration, these resources are there to help you.
Learning English in Thailand has to be fun. Non native speakers learning English are exposed to the English language through music, movies, books and adopted English words in their language. Naturally this makes it fun to expand their vocabulary or to practice English conversation.
Especially in the countryside Thai students rarely hear or read the English language. It’s therefor far more difficult for them to learn the language.
An effective way of increasing student’s confidence is by doing activities or playing games. The engagement is huge and students start to associate learning English with having fun.
What you will quickly notice is that older students enjoy these activities as well. Even boys!
Over the years we have collected a large amount of English activities. Beside books and dictionaries they include worksheets, activity sheets, games and flashcards.
You can use these resources or add your own activities for others to use.
Every weekend we go touring and engage in several exciting activities. Transportation, lunch and park fees are all included. We’ll be your guide to an unforgettable experience.
Every tour is packed with some of the following activities.
What activities, will depend on time and weather. Transportation, lunch and park fees are all included.
……Temple Wat Pra Son Kaew in mountain range Khao Khor has become a tourism hotspot. Its beautiful decorated walls and sculptures are an artist’s dream come true……
• Visit temple Pra Son Kaew
• Evening picnic at dam Pa Deng
• River canoe in Khoa Khor
• See historical park Si Thep
• Join a monk inauguration
• Um Pra Dam Naam festival
• Vegetarian festival in Lom Sak
• Boat race festival Lom Kao
• Ghost festival in Loei
• Rocket festival in Wichian Buri
• Explore caves at national park Nam Nao
• Camp at mountain range Tha Boek
• Join a traditional Thai wedding ceremony
• Swim at one of Phetchabun’s larger hotels
• Picnic at local dam and swim at a waterfall
• Thai dinner buffet and karaoke for the brave
• Swim and picnic at waterfall Than Thip
• Bicycle trip through the surrounding area
• Experience local Sweet Tamarind festival
• Lom Sak and Phetchabun evening market
• Round trip through mountain range Khoa Khor
…and more
Feel free to use our bicycles for a rewarding exercise, to explore the beautiful surroundings or simply for transportation.
There is nothing better than to take a bike ride in the early morning or a late afternoon. A route to the mountains leads through lush green rice fields (depending on the season) and a typical Thai village.
Continue into the valley and take a rest at the dam and lake. The location is very peaceful and an ideal spot for a picnic or to do some meditation.
When the water in the lake is low enough there is a small waterfall were you can swim. A naturally formed slider, carved into the rock by water, is good fun for the afternoon.
For a full exercise you could continue a little further up the road. You’ll find a challenging off road track that follows a winding river.
Every week we’ll pick a restaurant in the city of choice and invite our volunteers to join us. Transportation to the city is included and dinner is on us.
We’ll start the evening in Phetchabun by visiting large super markets SR, BigC, Tesco Lotus and/or Makro.
After shopping we’ll head to the city center for a nice atmospheric free evening dinner. Share your last week’s experiences or just relax and enjoy the delicious food.
WiFi access to a high speed fiber optic internet connection (300 Mpbs).
What many people don’t know is that internet in Thailand is very quick. During your stay at Villa Voluntour, you can enjoy free WiFi with a reliable high speed internet connection.
Also, there is an excellent mobile data network in Thailand. There are virtually no dead spots in its network and prepaid subscription is very cheap.
Provides volunteers full time assistance, help, advice and support.
We at Villa Voluntour have a background of doing volunteer work ourselves. Combined with the experience in official English teaching, we know very well what you can expect.
When you start your travel preparations, we are happy to help you with:
- your visa application.
- advice on what to bring and what not to bring.
- any question you might still have.
Once here, we’ll:
- guide you through the work permit application process.
- advice you about food, travel, safety, regulation, etc.
- support you wherever we can.
Our goal is for you to enjoy an amazing time. Never be shy to ask us anything!
PRICES
Prices
1 person 2 persons
1 Week: € 295,- € 420,-
2 Weeks: € 495,- € 745,-
3 Weeks: € 685,- € 1060,-
1 Month: € 860,- € 1360,-
2 Months: € 1600,- € 2600,-
3 Months: € 2208,- € 3780,-
Promotion (limited offer)
Make a reservation now and you will receive a 30% discount.
Making a reservation is 100% free and you only have to make payment on the day you arrive at Villa Voluntour.
Furthermore, you can change, reschedule and cancel your reservation for free at any time.
OPTIONAL
Simply the best way to travel. Discover local unseen Thailand and feel the joy of being free to go wherever you like.
Yamaha Aerox 155cc motorcycle with auto transmission:
Per day: € 7,-
Per week: € 30,-
Per month: € 108,-
Holiday Specials
Thailand is famous for its large holiday festivals. We offer organized affordable trips to the province most dedicated to celebrating the festival.
We record your experience, you select your music of choice and we’ll turn it into a beautiful highlight video.
Camerawork and editing is done by Erina Studio, a studio with many years of experience in photography and video.
The video includes an intro, is about 10 minutes long and is shared with you through Google Drive. You can then download the file, upload it to your platform of choice and share it with your friends.
Highlight Video: € 135,-
Are you interested? Please let us know before you arrive or on the day of arrival so that we don’t miss anything.
What you need to know
Villa Voluntour Covid-19 situation update (October 2020):
- Currently, Thai borders are closed to all foreigners.
- A Special Tourist Visa has been approved.
- Careful reopening of borders has been started
Follow our Villa Voluntour Facebook fan page for Covid-19 situation updates and a border reopening announcement.
At the moment, Thai borders are closed to all foreigners. However, a new visa has been approved, slowly allowing tourists to return. With this Special Tourist Visa (STV) foreign visitors are required to a Covid-19 test taken 72 hours before departure, buy Covid-19 health insurance, and sign a letter of consent agreeing to comply with the government’s Covid-19 measures. On arrival, foreign travelers with a STV must still undergo quarantine for 14 days in a by the government approved hotel.
Thailand is eager to reopen its borders but they are very careful not doing it too quickly. The STV is a first step towards restarting international tourism in Thailand.
No confirmed local infections have been recorded for over 100 days, and people have carefully adapted to the new normal. Three cases of suspected local transmissions have been found in September however, the contact tracing that followed hasn’t been conclusive. Wearing a mask in public places is therefore still mandatory.
Since the Covid-19 outbreak no foreigners have been able to come to Thailand. In rural areas there is now a serious lack of foreign English teachers, and this has a large impact on how students learn to communicate in English.
Plan and make a reservation but wait with confirming it until the situation becomes more clear, and your are confident that you can make the trip. Also, remember that after confirmation, you don’t have to pay until you arrive.
Like all countries in the world, Thailand too has been affected by the pandemic. Thailand was the first country outside China that registered a case of the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). From there on the situation remained relatively stable for a number of weeks.

At the end of March however, the infection rate entered a path of exponential growth. The government introduced swift containment measures like closing the borders and high-risk establishments, and also introduced a night curfew. Provincial governors introduced border checks. Furthermore, the general public quickly stepped into action by wearing a mask and by reducing unnecessary travel.
In little over a month, Thailand had gotten the situation under control. There was a strong decline in daily new cases, and recovery was on the rise. On August 3rd, 2020, Thailand proudly reported 10 weeks without local COVID-19 transmission. This record extends up to this day. However, there are almost daily new imported cases and so the country remains alert to the possibility of local transmission.
Since then, the curfew has been lifted but although Thailand has largely returned to (a new) normal, many people still follow the advice, hoping to prevent a return of the virus. Furthermore, international arrival is limited to repatriation flights and special situations. Everyone entering Thailand is quarantined for 14 days and tested several times.
Borders are still closed. However, the situation is being monitored day by day and the government is motivated to allow regular international travel to return as soon as possible. Expectations are that in the beginning of next year, people start returning to Thailand for their holiday.
Regarding Villa Voluntour, we understand that your planning could have been complicated by this, and so we offer a very flexible way of changing your reservation. Not only can you change your date as often as you need to, but you also won’t have to think about any costs until you arrive. Feel free to look at the calendar and don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ll try to answer any questions you still might have and can give advice for planning your trip.
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Thailand
Thai traditions, customs and etiquette. Learn a little about them and be surprised about the amount of mutual respect you’ll receive.
During the welcome briefing we’ll inform you about different aspects of Thai society and culture.
Although Thai people are very forgiving, some things are considered rude or even offensive. Therefor, before traveling to Thailand it is good to learn a few Dos and Don’ts.
Don’ts
- Don’t raise your feet.
- Don’t touch someone’s head.
- Don’t throw things.
- Don’t disrespect the monarchy.
Dos
- Remove your shoes.
- Return a wai.
- Show respect to monks.
- Smile.
Food
Thailand is known for its amazing food. International food is also widely available and with most western ingredients in store, you can always make your own.
In town, convenience stores Tesco Express, 7-Eleven and local family stores, offer western snacks and even complete meals.
There are also many shops with a wide variety of excellent Thai dishes.
Visit the market if you are interested in trying local food.
In Phetchabun city, you can find pizza, sushi and steak restaurants. Places that serve delicious Thai food are found on almost every corner.
If you prefer to cook yourself, large supermarkets Tesco Lotus, Big-C and Makro, have everything you wish for.
Regarding vegetarian food. There are a few restaurants that serve vegan food. Also, convenience stores and supermarkets offer a small variety of vegan microwave meals.
Although many Thai dishes use fish-sauce, it is normal in Thailand to specify your wishes. Don’t be shy to ask and remember we’ll help wherever we can.
Weather
The North of Thailand has a Cool, Hot and Rainy season.
- March to April: warm and sunny
- May to October: chance of rain
- November to February: cool and dry
Starting from March the average temperature steadily increases. April is usually the hottest month of the year. It’s not unheard of that temperatures rise above 40°C (104°F). It’s also when rainstorms start to form. This welcomes the beginning of the Rainy season. Almost like clockwork, the first rain often falls during the Songkran festival. Although Phetchabun is far from windy, during large thunderstorms there is a risk a big gusts of wind.
From May you can expect a late afternoon rainstorm. The rain results in pleasant cool evenings. Also, in only a few days the province comes back to live, as plants and trees turn vibrant green. In September, remnants of cyclones that crossed mainland Vietnam and Laos, can bring a lot of rain. It might rain for a week, sometimes two.
From November it becomes cooler. To Thai people its known as the Cold season, however temperatures rarely go below 16°C (61°F) and around midday 30 degrees (86°F) is normal. In the following months the rain retreats and green is slowly replaced by brown and yellow. The Cold or Cool season is also known as the Dry season for it won’t rain for several months. Close by, mountain range Khao Khor is visited by many Thai tourists for its cold weather during this season. People go camping and enjoy the opportunity to wear thick clothes, a scarf and even warm gloves. Temperatures can get as low as 2 degrees (35°F)
Thailand is close to the equator and during the year the sun rises around 6:30 and sets the same time in the evening. Sunlight at midday is strong and it’s advised to wear a hat and or use sufficient sunblock.
Needed Documents
In Thailand, volunteer work is considered regular work. This means that you need to have the correct visa and a work permit. We’ll guide you through the process.
In Thailand you can not volunteer unless you have a “Non-Immigrant O” visa and a work permit.
You can apply for the visa is in your home country at the nearest Thai Consulate. You can also arrive in Thailand on a tourist visa, take a short trip to a Thai Consulate in a neighboring country and apply for a “Non-Immigrant O” visa there.
A work permit is applied for at the Ministry of Labor office in Thailand.
Don’t let the requirement of these documents put you off. We’ll help with your visa application during your travel preparation and we’ll guide you through the work permit application process when you are here.
Health and Safety
The same as in any other country, there might be risks that are important enough to be informed about. For example dangerous wildlife, diseases and road safety.
Thailand is home to more than 10% of the world’s animals. From exotic animals to unique bird species. Among these, there also a couple of dangerous and potentially dangerous animals.
Snakes
On average, you might spot a snake once or twice a year in the area. Most are harmless. They are scared and quickly disappear, never to be seen again. However, not uncommon to Phetchabun is the Russel Viper (in Thai: ngu meow sao). This snake is known to move very slowly and its only defense is to attack. Although it is highly venomous and potentially deadly, being aware of it is enough not to worry about it, as sightings are very, very rare.
Insects
In general insects in Thailand are not deadly. However, if you are allergic to insect stings, experience a severe allergic reaction and you don’t seek help in time, they could be.
Scorpions
It is difficult to ever come across a scorpion in Thailand unless you actively try to find them. They usually hide under rocks that are undisturbed for a long time. Although their sting is poisonous and painful, they are not lethal.
Giant Centipedes
More rare than scorpions and even harder to find. A sting however, can be very painful.
Wasps
The larger, the more painful. However, they don’t bother you if you don’t bother them. Nests are actively removed.
Ants
At least 5 different kinds of ants can easily be found in the local area. None of them have a poisonous sting. Red ants live in trees and build nests from its leaves. They are protective, can bite with a sharp pinch but they are not harmful.
Mosquitoes
Thailand is in the tropics and unfortunately that means mosquitoes are a common sight. The Thai government has a thorough eradication program which limits their numbers. Danger comes, not from the itchy mark they leave behind but from their ability to spread disease (see below).
Malaria
Phetchabun has no active Malaria outbreaks and most likely won’t have any either. Malaria appears to be bound to the far west and far east of the country.
Dengue Fever
Dengue occurs in urban and suburban settings with higher transmission rates happening during the rainy season. Thailand has a very good eradication program to limit the spread of mosquito related diseases. Nevertheless, local transmission during the rainy season does sometime occur. Dengue spreads very slowly compared to some airborne diseases and if a province is affected, areas are easily mapped and action to contain the disease is quickly taken. The risk of “catching” Dengue Fever in Thailand is low to very low and even negligible if you use mosquito repellent or wear moderate skin covering clothes. Look here for more tips on how to avoid getting Dengue Fever.
Road Safety
Thailand drives on the left side and has an extensive road network. However, there is no way around it, Thai roads are dangerous. Every year too many people loose their lives. Most accidents happen due to drunk driving and/or speeding. If you decide to travel by motorcycle, limit your speed, be alert and stay safe.
On the day of arrival you can pay in Dash, Euro or Thai baht and we use the exchange rate of that day, as listed on currencyrate.today
If you decide to pay in Dash, you’ll receive a further 2% discount.
Why Dash and what is it?
Dash is a crypto-currency like bitcoin but better. You can make small payments to anyone in the world with transaction costs of less than 1 EuroCent. It’s also very quick. It takes less than 2 seconds for a transaction to be made and confirmed.
Dash is Digital Cash and it allows you to be your own bank. It’s safe, quick and cheap but ultimately it provides the opportunity to build a better and more equal world.
If you want to learn more, Amanda B. Johnson made a very easy to understand YouTube series about what crypto-currency is, and how Dash has built on that.
What our guests say
"Great atmosphere, fantastic hospitality"
Villa Voluntour's location is very good, in the middle of the country. Thai traditional food can be enjoyed at it's best here. It's close to the town center and surrounded by hills and great nature.
The atmosphere is one of the best things about Villa Voluntour. It is very calm, peaceful, relaxing and comfortable to stay.
The second best thing for me is the staff's hospitality, Doeke and his lovely wife A will make sure you get anything you need. They are very cheerful and kind. They can speak several languages including English, Dutch, and Thai.
Staying at Villa Voluntour is for me one of the best experiences in Thailand
Michiel Vergunst







