I grew up in Ayutthaya and always saw lots of water during flood season. I was used to it and enjoyed swimming in the floods with friends.

I really wanted to study journalism at Thammasat University but I got a quota acceptance at Chulalongkorn’s Science Faculty. I chose to study geology because I loved the outdoors.

I had the chance to become a professor at Rangsit University because they needed someone to teach basic-level engineering. I didn’t plan to work there for long but ended up staying for 13 years.

I still wanted to work in the environmental field. So I tried to establish environmental projects that brought me into contact with people in the field, including the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation where I later became the secretary. It has been eight years now.

I quit teaching to be a full-time activist because I realized that a professor couldn’t change things as fast as an activist. I also missed the outdoors.

I work every day, even on my day off.

It’s been nearly a decade like this but only those close to me know.

I did clips on Youtube because I wanted to show people what the situation was. I had been driving back and forth from Bangkok to the jungle every week and noticed that the amount of water was tremendous. Administrators had failed to communicate that we had to brace for it.

I’m pissed off that they didn’t warn people, including my family in Ayutthaya, to prepare for this flood. They knew it was happening in Nakhon Sawan for a month but failed to warn the people and the industrial sites in Ayutthaya. People were still working when the water arrived. It was really at the last minute that I managed save my mom before the water covered everything.

I investigated the possibility of flooding in Bangkok with Rataya [chairman of Sueb Nakhasathien Foundation] who used to be a city planner and the chairman of National Housing Authority. We found out Bangkok would be flooded for sure. So we put up a clip on Youtube hoping it would reach at least a hundred people. But it actually got hundreds of thousands of views.

I wasn’t prepared to be famous. I don’t like my life right now. I’ve become a public figure, and it’s too hectic. I love working for society, but I didn’t expect it to be this exhausting. I’m too old.

Some people might be skeptical about my credibility and whether I know anything about floods. I might not be an expert about water control but I’ve worked in natural resource management for a decade. Plus I have direct experience of this flood. I just want to share what I know.

This flood disaster has taught us the lesson that you have to learn how to live in the Chao Phraya plains alongside nature.

I don’t want to be anything else because my hobby is my work. Now I spend more time on Facebook because it’s a good channel to spread news about our foundation. I try to update my page every day.

You don’t need much stuff to live. I spent only 15 minutes moving things in preparation for the coming water. I try to limit stuff like clothes and have only five each of shirts, jackets and trousers.
My job is my only inspiration. I am not rich but I have a happy life with my girlfriend.

I actually love the sea even though I work in the jungle. I love coral reefs and to sit in the sea. But I also love to stay in the jungle because of its serenity. I love to sleep on a hammock and wake up to the beautiful sounds of the jungle. It is really alive and changing every day.

I am a big fan of Nga Caravan [Surachai Janthimathorn, the writer and musician]. His lyrics are very deep. They tell you how to live and what your mission is as a human. I now plan to establish a Surachai Janthimathorn foundation dedicated to his life and work.

My biggest dream is to make the natural resource management in Thailand’s western jungles a model for every jungle in Thailand. It’s 5% of the land in this country and includes six provinces: Tak, Nakhon Sawan, Khampangpet, Uthaithani, Suphanburi and Kanchanaburi. If I can save it, that’s a big enough accomplishment.

I might write books or songs after I finish my work with the foundation, things that I have long been interested in.

The foundation's Youtube channel is here.

Read about the Thai Floods 2011's other Youtube sensation, Roo Su! Flood.