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Below the Tides
Our Background
Arin Thongtang (In)
I am an ordinary boy who is deeply in love with animals. I have taken care of dogs, chickens, rabbits, fish, hedgehog, hamsters, and lizards. I hold a deep affinity for reptiles. I have raised tortoises and freshwater turtles, even constructing ponds at home to nurture them. My house is located in Central Bangkok, Thailand, but it often welcomes unwanted visitors like geckos, snakes and the Common Water Monitor. After visiting the Koh Man Nai Sea Turtle Conservation Center, I am motivated to transform my personal interest in animal care into a meaningful contribution to society and the environment. This sanctuary has nurtured tens of thousands of hatchlings and provided care and rehabilitation for injured turtles, with its initiation dating back to the Queen of the Ninth Reign in 1975.
I gained invaluable insights into the challenges faced by sea turtles and the center's commendable efforts. This experience ignited within me the desire to initiate a public awareness project, fostering change and enlightening others about these magnificent creatures. Sea turtles are my very first passion project, brimming with enthusiasm.
Education
2011 - present
Shrewsbury International School, Riverside, Bangkok, Thailand
I’m currently a Year 13 student at Shrewsbury International School, Riverside, Bangkok, where I balance academic life with my passion for environmental leadership. What began as a school initiative grew into Below the Tides — a platform that allows me to connect science, community, and creativity to protect our ocean and climate. Over the years, my journey has been recognized by the Ministry of Education, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, and the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, affirming the value of youth-driven change. I’ve had the honour of representing Thailand as a Youth Delegate to COP30 and as a panelist at the Thailand Climate Action Conference 2025, where I continue to advocate for sustainability and intergenerational collaboration.
Extracurricular Activities
Year 10 - Year 12
Member of the JV Basketball team
Year 11
Year 11
Year 7 - Year 10
Year 7 - Year 11
Year 12
Member of the Junior Varsity Volleyball team
Member of the FOBISIA Volleyball U19 team
Member of the Volleyball team
Badminton Singles School team
U19 Badminton 1st Team
School Role
Sixth Form
House Captain
School Awards
December 2023
Received Floreat recognition from the school for my initiation in the Zero Starving Sea Turtle project.
Year 11
1st place in House Music Competition
Year 11
Sport Excellence Awards 2024 Breakthrough U19 Boys Volleyball
Year 11
Sport Excellence Awards 2024 Breakthrough U19 Boys Basketball
Year 11
Sport Excellence Awards 2024 Breakthrough U19 Boys Badminton
October 2024
Received the Floreat token for the second time, recognizing my understanding and appreciation of flourishing at Shrewsbury while encouraging others to do the same; this award follows my first-place win in the national SRC competition and an honorable mention from the World Bank.
Year 12
Speech Day Award
Supracurricular Activities
Dec 2022 - Present
Founder
Below the Tides
Established and lead a marine conservation organization dedicated to protecting and preserving marin ecosystems.
July 2023 - Present
Volunteer Tutor
Sor So Foundation, Thailand
Provide educational support and mentorship to underprivileged children every Sunday afternoon on a mat laid on the pavement under a bridge.
National Sport Excellence
2024
The Thailand Volleyball Assoication
2025
The Thailand Volleyball Assoication
Assistant Coach
Assistant Coach for the U19 Boys National Volleyball Team under the auspices of the Thailand Volleyball Association
Assistant Coach
Helped coach for the U19 Boys National Volleyball Team under the auspices of the Thailand Volleyball Association.
Key Achievements
15 July 2024
Speaker, National Geographic Photo Ark Exhibition
US Embassy, Thailand
Invited by the US Embassy in Thailand to present on "Engaging Youth in Conservation: Initiatives and Inspirations" at the first-ever National Geographic Photo Ark exhibition in Thailand.
7 September 2024
Recipient of Certificate of Appreciation
Governor of Samut Songkram
Received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Governor of Samut Songkram for the AI initiative "Echoes of the Past: Sustainable Heritage Tourism," which integrates local history with modern technology.
23 September 2024
Youth Delegate
Thai Parliament
Had the honor of being the only youth group invited to witness and exhibit our conservation efforts at the Thai Parliament event. We presented initiatives aligned with the Parliament’s sustainability goals, demonstrating the importance of youth engagement in environmental advocacy.
21 October 2024
Recipient of the Gold Ocean Conservationist Medal
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Thailand
Honored with the prestigious Gold Award for Conservationist in recognition of my outstanding contributions to marine and coastal conservation. This award celebrates my efforts through the Below the Tides organization, where I have worked tirelessly to protect and restore vital marine ecosystems.
14 January 2025
Net Zero Person
Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (Public Organization), Thailand
Recognized as the first Net Zero Person in Thailand, alongside my sister, I have been acknowledged for my efforts in supporting the Domestic GHG Removal Enhancement Project. I played a key role in Thailand's push toward a Low-Carbon Society and contributed to significant GHG reductions.
8 January 2025
Outstanding Youth Recognition
Ministry of Education, Thailand
Honored at the Government House’s Santi Maitree Building by the Prime Minister and Minister of Education for exceptional contributions to academic excellence and sustainability initiatives and global representation of Thailand.
6 August 2025
Thailand Youth Climate Action 2025 – Ranked 4th nationwide
The Department of Climate Change and Environment, Thailand
Recognized as the fourth-ranked youth nationwide in a program empowering young leaders to engage in national and international climate platforms. The program supports participants with capacity-building, connects them with partner organizations, and seeks financial support to enable youth representation in global forums under the UNFCCC framework.
23 August 2025
Outstanding Youth Recognition (Prakai Petch Award – 20th Year)
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Thailand
Honored under the Youth Group for Natural Resource and Environment (Below the Tides) for exemplary contributions to environmental conservation, sustainable innovation, and youth-led civic engagement nationwide.
20 September 2025
Outstanding Youth and Contributor to Youth Development
Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, Thailand
Below the Tides was recognized as the only youth group nationally awarded in the Natural Resource and Environment category for its exemplary contributions to environmental conservation, sustainable innovation, and youth-led civic engagement.
30 September 2025
Panelist, Thailand Climate Action Conference: Youth Message from Local to Global, Thailand Climate Action Conference 2025
Department of Climate Change and Environment, Thailand
Participated as one of four youth panelists—and the youngest—at the national conference aimed at inspiring climate solutions for all. Shared perspectives on youth-led climate action, highlighting local initiatives with global impact, and encouraged cross-generational collaboration to address climate challenges.
16-21 November 2025
Youth Delegate, Department of Climate Change and Environment, Thailand
United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), Belém, Brazil
Representing the youth of Thailand at COP30, the world’s foremost climate summit convened under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Participating in high-level discussions, policy dialogues, and youth-led side events focused on global climate action, sustainable development, and intergenerational collaboration. Advocating for stronger youth engagement in climate policy and sharing Thailand’s youth-driven initiatives, including Below the Tides.
National Academic Achievements
April 2024
The Institute for the Promotion of Teaching Science and Technology, Thailand.
1st Place Winner
Achieved 1st place out of 32 finalists in the high-school level category of the National 2024 Student Research Competition organized by the Institute for the Promotion of Teaching Science and Technology, Thailand.
May 2024
Chiang Mai University, Thailand
Honorable Mention
Developed a transformative proposal under the initiative “Echoes of the Past: Sustainable Heritage Tourism” to introduce a sustainable travel model in Samut Songkhram, focusing on minimizing carbon footprints and integrating advanced technologies.
June 2024
The World Bank Thailand
Honorable Mention
Earned an honorable mention from the World Bank's Thailand Young Economist Contest for my short video on "Building Tomorrow: Unlocking the Economic Potential of Thailand's Secondary Cities for the Youth."
August 2024
The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, Thailand
Finalist
Competed in creating a short video titled "Bridge Beyond Borders," centered on the theme "Young Generation Makes a Better Society," in the category for individuals under 18 years old, and advanced to the final round. I served as the head of the production team and an actor.
August 2024
The Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) in Bangkok
Gold Medalist
Participated in a poster presentation on our research titled "Green Secrets Unveiled: Probing Carbon Storage and Assessing Footprint in Living Spaces" at the Academic Conference and Research Presentation (ACRP), organized by the GATE Program at Suankularb Wittayalai in collaboration with the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) in Bangkok. Among 68 poster presentations, our team earned the gold medal.
August 2024
Department of Climate Change and Environment, Thailand
Project Lead
Innovated a low-carbon solution using areca palm husk, titled 'From Waste to Growth: Enhancing Sustainable Gardening with Areca Palm Husk Pots, Nutrient-Rich Medium, Natural Pest Control, Husk Shade, and Solar-Powered Innovations' at the Youth Climate Innovators 2024. This project showcased creativity and potential impact in sustainable gardening practices.
April 2025
The Institute for the Promotion of Teaching Science and Technology, Thailand
Honorable Mention
Earned an honorable mention out of 33 high school finalists for my oral presentation on environmental research titled 'Living Carbonomics: Tracking Footprint and Storage Dynamics Above and Below Ground.'
International Academic Achievements
April 2024
Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment Program (GLOBE) - NASA
Research Presenter
My research, titled 'Green Secrets Unveiled: Probing Carbon Storage and Assessing Footprint in Living Spaces,' was published on www.globe.gov and presented at the GLOBE Program's International Virtual Science Symposium in 2024. The symposium received submissions of 285 student reports from 30 countries. I am proud to share that my work was among the 125 reports that received high scores.
July 2024
The 27th IUPAC International Conference on Chemistry Education
Gold Medalist
Our oral presentation titled 'Green Secrets Unveiled: Probing Carbon Storage and Assessing Footprint in Living Spaces' earned us a gold medal at the high-school level in the Science Projects in Schools Showcase.
December 2024
International Economics Olympiad
February 2025
Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment Program (GLOBE) - NASA
Senior Division: Outstanding Award
Earned the Outstanding Award in recognition of exceptional performance in the Senior Division of the International Economics Olympiad Preliminary Round, a global competition for high school students.
Research Presenter
My research, "Living Carbonomics: Tracking Footprint & Storage Dynamics Above and Below Ground," has been published on www.globe.gov.
August 2025
International Economics Olympiad
2025 Thailand National Team Representative
Selected as one of five students to represent Thailand at the IEO Global Round, held August 21–24, 2025, in Ancient Olympia, Greece. Qualified from over 97,000 global participants through national and selection rounds. Competed with top students worldwide in applied economics, finance, and critical thinking. Organized by INEV and supported by global academic and financial institutions.
June 2025
The 20th Asian Chemical Congress from Federation of Asian Chemical Societies (FACS)
Gold Medalist
Earned a gold medal at the high-school level for the oral presentation on my environmental research titled 'Living Carbonomics: Tracking Footprint and Storage of Above and Below Ground’.
