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Below the Tides
Our Background
Arisa Thongtang (Aim)
I have a wide range of hobbies and interests, including figure skating, volleyball, cooking, watching cartoons, and video editing. Currently, my primary aspiration is to represent Thailand as a national figure skater, aiming to inspire others through my journey. I derive great joy from preparing meals for my family and friends whenever they visit me.
I have a deep affection for animals, which I believe was influenced by my brother. He has a strong love for all kinds of creatures, particularly exotic reptiles. Our home is brimming with both domesticated and non-domestic animals, creating an environment that seems like a safe haven or sanctuary for them. It is a blessing to be able to connect with nature and play a role in caring for it. I wholeheartedly believe in the importance of nurturing our natural world and allowing the original inhabitants who were here millions of years before us to have a better future.
Together, I hope that we can make meaningful contributions to environmental recovery, the restoration of our seas, and the protection of the once-vibrant natural environment we once had.
Education
2012 - present
Shrewsbury International School, Riverside, Bangkok, Thailand
As a Year 12 student, I am known for my hardworking nature, academic excellence, and commitment to personal growth. I consistently achieve high academic results, often earning A grades, and actively contribute to the school community through leadership and creativity. I currently serve as a House Captain and a Drama Scholar, representing the school in leadership initiatives and performing arts.
In previous years, I was a member of the Team Shrewsbury Elite Athlete Programme (2023–2025) and represented the school in U19 Volleyball, demonstrating dedication, teamwork, and resilience both on and off the court.
Extracurricular Activities
Year 12
Actress in the school Drama Scholars production of Constellations by Nick Payne
Year 10 - 11
Year 9
Year 9
Member of FOBISIA Volleyball U19 Team A
Member of U15 Volleyball Team
Acted in the school show "The Witches by Roald Dahl".
School Role
Sixth Form
House Captain
Year 11
House Representative
Year 10
Captain of U15 Volleyball Team
Year 10
Leadership class representative
Year 9
Part of Sustainability Team
School Awards
December 2023
Received Floreat recognition from the school for my initiation in the Zero Starving Sea Turtle project.
Year 9
Speech Day Award
Year 2023/24
Team Shrewsbury Elite Athlete Programme
Year 10
Sport Excellence Awards 2024 Breakthrough U15 Girls Volleyball
Year 9
Sport Excellence Awards 2023 Most Improved Player U15 Girls Volleyball
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.
Year 2024/25
Dec 2024
Year11
Year 12
Team Shrewsbury Elite Athlete Program
Excellence Award - Mandarin Department
Speech Day Award
Drama Scholar
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 under a bridge on the pavement.
National Sport Excellence
2024
Figure & Speed Skating Association of Thailand
2024
Figure & Speed Skating Association of Thailand
2025
Figure & Speed Skating Association of Thailand
Gold Medalist
Achieved first place at the Level 3 category in a prestigious national competition.
Figure Skater, Samut Songkram
Served as a figure skater representing Samut Songkram in the 2024 National Youth Games.
Figure Skater, Samut Songkram
Served as a figure skater representing Samut Songkram in the 2025 National Youth Games.
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 brother, 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.
19 Mar 2025
Lead Role, "Himmapan Express", The Empatheatre (Empathy + Theatre)
Thai Association of the Blind and Shrewsbury International School
Empatheatre was created to bridge the gap between visually Impaired individuals and those with sight through the power of performance. This production aimed to foster mutual understanding and break down barrier between these communities.
Performed in an "in-the-round" setting to ensure equal access to the arts, the show provided a deeply immersive experience. Both performers and audiences engaged in storytelling beyond sight—using sound, scent, touch, and taste to bring the narrative to life, creating an inclusive and meaningful theatrical journey.
6 August 2025
Thailand Youth Climate Action 2025 – 2nd Place Nationwide
The Department of Climate Change and Environment, Thailand
Recognized as the second-ranked youth nationwide in a government-led program empowering young leaders to engage in national and international climate platforms. Supported with capacity-building, partnerships, and funding to represent Thai youth in global climate 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 25
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.
8-10 Oct 2025
Drama Scholar and Lead Actor, Constellations by Nick Payne
Shrewsbury International School Bangkok
Awarded the Drama Scholarship for exceptional talent in performing arts and leadership in theatrical productions. Starred as the lead in Constellations by Nick Payne, a challenging dual-role performance exploring themes of science, love, and parallel universes. Recognized for outstanding emotional depth, stage presence, and ability to convey complex narratives to diverse audiences.
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.
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. Served as screenwriter, cinematographer, and actress.
August 2024
The GATE Program at Suankularb Wittayalai, in collaboration with 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 an oral presentation on environmental research titled "Living Carbonomics: Tracking Footprint and Storage Dynamics Above and Below Ground"in the competition.
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.
February 2025
Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment Program (GLOBE) - NASA
June 2025
The 20th Asian Chemical Congress from Federation of Asian Chemical Societies (FACS)
Research Presenter
My research, "Living Carbonomics: Tracking Footprint & Storage Dynamics Above and Below Ground," has been published on www.globe.gov.
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’.
