Dr. Suchana Apple Chavanich has a broad base of ecological research interests that involve the study of nearshore species from tropical to polar regions. In addition, her research focuses on conservation and restoration of marine ecosystems and impact of climate change and marine debris on marine ecosystems. Currently, she is also the Project Leader of Coral Reef Conservation in the Western Pacific under the UNESCO/IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific, and serves as a Thailand Reef Check Coordinator that teaches and stimulates local communities to protect and monitor coral reef health using ecologically sound and economically sustainable solutions. She is also considered to be Thailand’s first female scientist to go diving in Antarctica and Arctic. Her research work on Arctic-Antarctica and coral reefs has inspired Thai and young people on the value of marine ecosystems. Because of her work, she has received several awards and recognitions both nationally and internationally such as ASEAN Biodiversity Heroes Award (2022), Sustainable Ocean Ambassador appointed by UN-AFMA-FAO Annex (2019), and Explorer Award by National Geographic Magazine, Thailand (2018)

Kawinpat Nititaechapat, 53 years old, currently owns a veterinary clinic. She has been taking care of stray dogs, cats and volunteering, conserving and preserving monkeys in Bang Khun Thian District for more than 8 years. She is a leader for a macaque conservation project aiming to build a new sanctuary.

Ravadee is with the Sustainable Development Foundation (SDF), a Thai non-government organization working with marginalized and vulnerable upland and coastal communities. Its work includes the right to productive resources and livelihoods, sustainable resource management practices, biodiversity conservation, disaster risk reduction, and building resilience to climate change. Their ongoing work focuses on advocacy of the rights of small-scale fisheries, governance in fishery management, gender mainstreaming, and governance in ecosystem-based coastal and sustainable aquaculture fishery management. Strengthening and empowerment of SSF movements is a key focus of SDF towards gaining sustainability and resilience in fishery livelihoods, food security, conservation of both marine biodiversity and fishery stocks, and identifying and mitigating threats to livelihoods and coastal ecosystems.

A teacher/local expert

Bunjong Nasae is an environmentalist, marine conservationist, activist, and advisor of the Rak Talay Thai Foundation.

Matthew Testa has been working in documentary film and television for nearly two decades as a producer, director, showrunner and writer. His work often focuses on the environment, social justice issues and the interplay between people and the natural world. THE HUMAN ELEMENT is his fourth feature documentary. Previous films include VLOGUMENTARY (YouTube Premium), FREEDOM! THE MOVIE (CMT Docs) and THE BUFFALO WAR (ITVS, winner of 9 festival awards). Some of his documentary television credits include MURDER MOUNTAIN (Netflix), WHALE WARS (Animal Planet), SNAKE SALVATION (National Geographic), GOLD RUSH: ALASKA (Discovery), THIRTY DAYS (FX) and STORM CHASERS (Discovery). Testa received an MFA in Film Directing from the American Film Institute (AFI) Conservatory in 2004. He lives in Los Angeles.