Our Thailand Team

Suwat Hannarong
Chairman
Suwat has run Ao Nang Scuba Centre since 1990 and joined Projects Abroad in May 2005 when our conservation project relocated to Ao Nang. Suwat enjoys spending time with his wife Sao who also works for Ao Nang Scuba and his young son, Chain. Suwat was the first person in Thailand to gain a qualification as a trainer of Dive Instructors and in his free time he likes to play golf and go paragliding.
To find out more about Suwat click here

Marten Meynell
Director for Conservation
Marten joined Projects Abroad in August 2006 as the Conservation Director for the Marine Conservation project in Ao Nang. During 2005 he ran a programme of reef and beach cleanups in Sri Lanka following the Indian Ocean Tsunami. He has an MSc in Marine Resource Development and Protection and a BA in Sociology and Spanish. He has been diving for ten years and is a trained Dive Master and HSE commercial diver. As well as scuba diving he enjoys rock climbing, tennis, swimming and skiing.

Parichart Chaipikul (Ant)
Director for Teaching and Care
Ant started working as the Director of our teaching and care projects in July 2007 after moving to Krabi from Chang Mai. She used to work in the shipping business. She is enjoying her new role working with people from all over the world and in her free time likes travel, photography and spending time with her boyfriend.

Marie Goarin
Field Coordinator
Marie joined Projects Abroad in October 2007 as Field Coordinator. Marie is from France but studied Marine Science at university in Scotland and has been involved in conservation and environmental education projects in France, Australia and Malaysia. She enjoys most outdoor and aquatic activities, in particular camping and scuba diving.

Pattaravut Patangtato
Assistant Field Coordinator
Pattaravut (Knot) joined the conservation team in Ao Nang as Assistant Field Coordinator in January 2008. In July 2007 Knot graduated from Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok with a major in marine biology. Whilst at university he gained work experience with the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Centre and Sichang Marine Science Research and Training Centre. He also helped run a marine education camp for high school children. He is very interested in photography and enjoys diving and football.

Apornpradab Buasi
Teaching & Care Desk Officer and Coordinator
Apornpradab, or Nou as she's known took over as Desk Officer for the Teaching and Care programmes in March 2008 and is based at the Projects Abroad Office in Ao Nang. Nou also assists Ant in organising the Teaching and Care projects and monitoring the volunteers. Nou worked as an interpreter for the Southeast Asia Games in 2007 and in her free time she enjoys travelling Thailand on her motorbike, reading, watching films and gardening. Nou can be contacted by e-mail or phone for any questions you may have concerning your time Thailand.

Chane Sutsadang
Conservation Desk Officer & Social Manager
Chane was born in Thailand but lived in the USA for over 15 years. She returned to Thailand and worked as a language teacher and office manager. She has been working with Projects Abroad since 2004. Chane moved from Bangkok to Krabi in April 2007 to continue working with our volunteers. She is one of the most energetic people you will ever meet and loves to chat. If she's not looking after her elderly mother, you can bet she's doing something fun with our volunteers!

Jamnong Kaewnapan
Volunteer Coordinator - Chumphon
Jamnong is based in Chumphon where we have some teaching and care placements. He and his wife, Nuey are two of the friendliest people you will ever meet. They love taking care of volunteers and will quickly make you feel part of their local community.