Daily life and cultural exchange in Koh Samui, Thailand

Infos

• 

  Description

  Help us take care of the house and our pets (2 dogs and 3 cats) 🏡🐶🐶🐱🐱🐱 on the beautiful island of Koh Samui. We live in the Maenam neighborhood.
  
  Important update — We have moved to Thailand the at beg. of April 2026! We are no longer accepting work-away applications for our beautiful home in Germany (which is where most of our reviews are currently from). We will continue hosting in our new home in Koh Samui, Thailand, starting from May 2026 onward but are pretty fully booked at the time being.
  
  In our new home, Workawayers will still have a private bedroom, access to a shared bathroom, and use of our saltwater pool. The house is located in the peaceful area of Maenam, about a 10-minute drive from the beach but we do not currently have a car. We can offer advice but cannot help you in regards to getting a visa if one is needed. Please read up on all laws regarding entering and staying in Thailand for your country. We do advise getting an international driving permit before you travel and getting travel health insurance. Please always be respectful of the country you travel in and respectful to the environment and animals! We do not support unethical animal sanctuaries or zoos - please do not partake in elephant riding or tiger photos etc. while staying with us. This is very important to us :)
  
  Now a little about us:
  
  I, Juniper (she/her), am a 34-year-old bi-lingual German and American who has five pets. Since 2022 we have been hosting Workawayers and it has been a really positive experience for us. We mostly need help with daily housekeeping, cooking / meal prep, animal care (dog walks, feeding, brushing), small errands, and sometimes gardening or small DIY / creative projects. The workload is usually well under 20 hours per week, but we appreciate people who are reliable, careful, and pay attention to detail (especially where cleaning is concerned). Food is included.
  
  Next, let me introduce you to your would-be housemates / my mini "zoo":
  🐶 Milo Thatch Mars (Milo) is my 5-year-old Australian Shepherd. He was meant to be my service dog, but these days he’s more of a “trained when he feels like it” kind of guy haha but that is ok - he still helps a lot but we don't take him out with us everywhere anymore. It is a longer story but all in all, he’s a playful, very vocal, and incredibly sweet boy but I certainly would not describe him as a super calm or timid dog. He weighs 30 kg and you should be comfortable with big dogs. He’s had some recent reactivity on walks (barking/pulling at random things), likely protective behavior from being a pandemic puppy, but it’s inconsistent and improving. Despite that, he’s a total sweetheart and a huge part of our family 💙
  
  🐶 Mojito B. Franz (Mojito / Hito) is our 4-year-old black pug, adopted in 2023. He’s shy at first but super loving once he warms up (and very food obsessed 😄). He can bark at noises in the house, dogs on the TV, geckos on the wall, or at anything on walks, but he’s gentle, cuddly, and gets along well with Milo—equal parts best friend and annoying little brother. He's also actually the best boy when we go out in public - totally quite and the opposite of how it is at the house haha
  
  🐱 The “spice cats” — Cinnamon, Pumpkin, and Nutmeg — are three rescued Persian cats from a hoarding situation. They’re still shy, especially the girls, but very sweet once they trust you. They stay indoors (with a future catio planned), and I may occasionally need help with grooming.
  
  🏡 About the home & help needed
  
  I’m disabled and have limited daily energy, being in Samui helps a lot but still, I’m mainly looking for help with household tasks, the yard, and animal care—nothing medical or personal. My mom will visit and later move in full-time (in ~6 months). Think house hold chores.
  
  🌈 Values & environment
  This is a safe, inclusive home. LGBTQ+ friendly, pro human rights, and respectful of all backgrounds. The only thing not tolerated is intolerance. Open, kind, and direct communication is important here 💛
  
  📋 House basics
  
  Be kind to people & animals (no negative reinforcement)
  No parties (small gatherings okay if discussed in advance)
  No drugs, and moderate alcohol only
  Smoking only outside & responsibly (clean up after yourself and don't do this around the animals).
  Clean, respectful, chill home vibe
  
  🌿 Lifestyle
  We keep things relaxed— there are AM chores and PM chores due to certain logistics but there isn't a super strict schedule - more like shared family life. Evenings often mean movies or shows 🍿
  
  I enjoy reading, writing, games, fantasy, swimming, and nature. I’ve lived in multiple countries and love sharing stories. I can't wait to hear yours! Open to Thai language exchange and can help you with English or practicing German.
  
  My mom is kind, welcoming, and a lot of fun to be around when she is here.
  
  🌱 Bonus
  We’d love to learn more about gardening, foraging, and cooking (especially veggie/anti-inflammatory). We’re still exploring Koh Samui, but there’s so much here—markets, beaches, temples, and amazing food.
  
  We eat mostly vegetarian + poultry/fish (no pork or beef).
  
  🚶‍♀️ Safety note
  The neighborhood is generally safe, but like many areas in Thailand there can occasionally be stray dogs or wildlife. We recommend being mindful on walks and going in pairs at night just to be safe.

• 

  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Projets artistiques

  Pratique d’une langue

  Jardinage

  Bricolage et construction

  S’occuper des animaux

  Cuisine/repas pour la famille

  Aide à la maison

  Entretien général

  Garde de maison et d'animaux
• 

  Centres d’intérêt

  

  Montagne

  

  Voile / bateau

  

  Randonnée

  

  Histoire

  

  Ferme

  

  Dev. durable

  

  Vie en van

  

  Sports nautiques

  

  Animaux de compagnie

  

  Films et télé

  

  LGBT+

  

  Culture

  

  Bénévolat

  

  Musique

  

  Arts du spectacle

  

  Photographie

  

  Écriture

  

  Dessin et peinture

  

  Bricolage / artisanat

  

  Cuisine et alimentation

  

  Livres

  

  Astronomie

  

  Art et design

  

  Animaux

  

  Nature

  

  Camping

  

  Plage
• 

  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  As mentioned above, I speak English and German and have dabbled in a few other languages. I’m a TEFL teacher, author, and archaeology researcher, and I love cultural exchange, travel stories, and learning about different ways of life.
  
  I’ve lived in the United States, Scotland, and Germany, and have traveled through much of Europe and beyond. I’m now based in Koh Samui, Thailand, which is my first time living in Asia—so it’s still a big adventure, and I’m really enjoying getting to know the island and its culture.
  
  I’m always happy to explore the area together—whether that’s beaches, markets, cafés, or nature spots—cook meals, share travel experiences, or just have a relaxed evening talking about life, books, and future plans. I’d love to keep learning more about Thai culture and make the most of island life 🌴
  
  For me, Workaway is not just about help around the house—it’s about creating a warm, welcoming environment where everyone feels at home. I like my house to feel like a sanctuary: peaceful, cozy, and open. Late-night chats, swims, little adventures, and movie nights are all part of that vibe ✨

• 

  Aide

  Its mainly house keeping/animal care... there are two days a week I have language school and I need someone to stay home with the dogs - I'll update this once I know which two days - other than that the schedule is very flexible.
  Here are some examples of the chores:
  
  Daily:
  Walking / playing the dogs / picking up after them
  Dishes (load /unload the dishwasher)
  Tidy the kitchen / living room
  Clean kitchen surfaces
  Preparing dinner most days
  Rinse out / Refresh pet water bowls
  Clean cat litter boxes
  Check cat food bowls are full / clean
  Wash pet food bowls
  Take out trash
  Laundry
  Misc. Errands
  Pet Sitting for a few hours at a time if I have errands/school
  
  On occasion:
  Replace / Wash blankets on the couch (every two ish weeks or as needed)
  Check plants / Water as needed during dry season
  Mop floors weekly or as needed
  Dusting / Spot cleaning
  Bathrooms - cleaning weekly (3 times / and once a month they get deep cleaned professionally)
  Spot cleaning the windows / glass / oven / microwave etc.
  Wash / Refresh bedding - as needed / monthly
  Dusting / Spot cleaning windows
  Deep clean oven / Microwave - as needed -
  
  Also;
  
  - Getting to know the cats and giving them treats.
  
  - Help here and there feeding the pets (though I can usually manage this on my own)
  
  - Enjoying your time on Koh Samui!

• 

  Langues

  Langues parlées
  Allemand: Courant
  Anglais: Courant
  Thai: Débutant

  Cet hôte propose un échange linguistique
  I speak English and German - I have a TEFL certification and have experience teaching English and tutoring spoken German (not German grammar). I am interested in learning Thai.
• 

  Hébergement

  Our Workaway room is a comfortable, private room with a queen bed. It includes a built-in desk, chair, and closet. The room is located next to a shared toilet. The toilet may be shared with my mother when she is here, or with other guests staying in the second room (private guests or other workawayers). It is lockable from both sides for privacy.
  
  If my calendar is red - I have no availability - if it is yellow, I may be able to host 1 single person, and if it is green, I may have either one or two rooms available. The house has three rooms in total - the first is mine, the second room is technically my mother's but she is not here at the moment, and the third is for work-away and guests. When my mom is in Germany, her room will be used for family and friends who want to visit, so they get priority access to it, however, if no one is visiting, then I may open it up to work-away folks.
  
  Please feel free to message me and tell me about your self.
  
  I do apologize if we can't host you for any reason and wish you well on your travels!

• 

  Autres infos...

  Things to do:
  
  beaches nearby (about 10–15 minutes by car depending on which one you go to)
  
  swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving
  
  island trips to places like Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, and Ang Thong Marine Park
  
  Thai cooking classes
  
  dance classes and dance nights
  
  Muay Thai gyms and fitness classes
  
  yoga, wellness, and massage places all over the island
  
  night markets, street food, cafes, and restaurants
  
  waterfalls and jungle walks
  
  boat tours and sunset cruises
  
  temples and cultural sites
  
  shopping areas and malls (Central Samui, Fisherman’s Village, etc.)
  
  ethical elephant sanctuaries - please do not visit any that allow RIDING (BIG NO), or swimming with elephants.
  
  scooter rides around the island (if you are comfortable driving)
  
  pool at the house for relaxing days
  
  just chilling, reading, swimming, and enjoying island life 🌴
  
  Samui is a great mix of nature, beach life, and town life — you can have very quiet days here, but there is always something to do if you want to explore.

• 

  Informations complémentaires

  • 

    Accès Internet

  • 

    Accès Internet limité

  • 

    Nous avons des animaux

  • 

    Nous sommes fumeurs

  • 

    Familles bienvenues

• 

  Possibilité d’accueillir les digital nomads

  Your room has a built in desk - we have very fast wireless internet: 240.7 Mbps download and 392.4 Mbps upload (I tested this with multiple tabs open, multiple devices connected and Netflix running). You can get an e-sim or a cheap sim for your phone to get 5G on the island too.

• 

  Espace pour garer des vans

  We've got a covered garage available - but no electrical hook ups or water hook ups.

• 

  Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

  Deux

• 

  Mes animaux

  

  The "Spice" Cats - Cinnamon, Pumpkin, and Nutmeg.

  The spice cats come from a hoarding situation - I adopted them in 2020 when they were approximately 3 (Nutmeg), 5 (Cinnamon) and 6 (Pumpkin) years old - they have come a long way but the girls can still be quite shy. Cinnamon is definitely the most adventurous of the bunch and you can certainly win him over with treats!

  

  Mojito B. Franz (4 ans)

  Mojito B. Franz is an old school pug (with a longer snout) who we unexpectedly (in late September 2023), ended up seeing and then adopting from a pug rescue here in Germany (Mops In Not).He is a healthy, rambunctious little guy (and a bit of a momma's boy), he's got his own little quirks (he barks too much at random noises >.<) but it has been wonderful having him around - him and Milo play a lot! He is totally "verfressen" - he loves food, I mean really loves it, and also acts like he is starving even if he just ate - which is a very normal thing for a pug haha (he also tries to steal food so we have to be vigilant).

  

  Milo Thatch Mars (5 ans)

  Milo Thatch Mars (aka Milo) is an Australian Shepherd and was meant to be my service dog, though he really just acts like a normal dog most of the time (one who has been trained to help me when needed - although lately hes been really stubborn - we are working on it lol). He's an energetic, sometimes crazy, smart, sweet, occasionally stubborn, loving doggo ❤️

Sécurité du site

Discutez avec des workawayers qui ont séjourné chez cet hôte

+7

Feedback (13)