Thailand’s coastlines, once teeming with marine life, face unprecedented threats from pollution, overfishing, and climate change. But a new generation of ocean defenders is fighting back.

Guardians of the Sea

Somchai Wattana grew up in a fishing village on the Andaman coast. He watched as coral reefs that his grandfather knew as thriving ecosystems turned to bleached wastelands. That experience shaped his life’s mission.

“The ocean gave my family everything,” Somchai reflects. “Now it’s our turn to give back.”

Community-Led Conservation

Working with local fishing communities, Somchai’s organization has established marine protected areas, coral restoration projects, and sustainable fishing cooperatives. These initiatives prove that conservation and livelihoods can go hand in hand.

Through AktivAsia’s regional network, Thai marine conservationists have shared strategies with activists across Southeast Asia, building a regional movement for ocean protection.