The sea belongs to us: Stories from Thailand’s Ocean Defenders
As the climate crisis increasingly harms Thailand’s oceans, local communities also face mounting pressure from industrial projects—both onshore and offshore—and destructive fishing practices. In response, coastal populations are coming together to protect their homes and the rapidly changing marine ecosystem. Khairiyah Ramanyah, the daughter of a fisherman from Chana, Songkhla, began campaigning at just 18 years old against the government's decision to build the Chana Industrial Estate. She hopes future generations will experience the same healthy environment she grew up in. Most members of her community are fishers who provide seafood across Thailand and beyond. For four years, Khairiyah has fought alongside the Chana Rak Thin Network, protesting the flawed public hearing processes. In doing so, she has faced legal charges for exercising her rights to protest and freedom of expression. Today, she continues her activism by proposing policies and envisioning a future rooted in community cooperation. Matom Sinsuwan lives in a small fishing village near Rajakrud, Ranong, home to displaced Thai people. She is concerned about the expansion of large industrial estates and the development of a deep-sea port in Ao Ang. Years ago, she moved to the village as a displaced person and was left without an ID card after being missed in national surveys. Like many in her village, she survived through fishing, but their community has long been neglected by the government. Children still lack access to education, and Matom hopes to preserve the sea and its resources as a legacy that can provide stability for future generations. Despite their deep knowledge of and reliance on the sea, most coastal communities are excluded from decisions about its protection. Thailand’s marine ecosystem is largely regulated through zoning systems in national parks and reserves, which are designed and controlled by government agencies—offering little to no opportunity for communities to participate or share their local knowledge. Women like Khairiyah and Maton are pushing for change as they protect present and future communities.