Thailand is home to some of the most beautiful beach destinations in the world, including Railay, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Tao and many more. These locations are well-known and appreciated by both locals and visitors from around the globe. However, with global warming and the increasing impact of human activity, these natural treasures face growing threats including rising sea levels, coral bleaching and environmental degradation. One of the biggest concerns is the loss of coral reef systems, the foundation of marine biodiversity, as they support ecosystems and local economies. Without them, tourism and fishing would decline, affecting millions. 

In response to these challenges, Plengrhambhai “Pleng” and Pynbhairoh “Pyn” Kruesopon, two passionate young sisters, have taken action. They founded Care for Coral to raise awareness, educate communities and rehabilitate marine ecosystems, becoming an inspiring example for the younger generation. Today, Koktail chats with the two of them about their work in helping restore coral systems and lead youth-driven initiatives that inspire others.

Diving into Action: From Exploring the Ocean to Saving It

“As avid scuba divers, we witnessed firsthand the degradation of Thailand’s marine landscape and the lack of tangible opportunities to help protect the environment. Hence we wanted to transform our dismay into a constructive youth-led movement, one that empowers local communities to actively engage in environmental conservation efforts.”

In Thailand alone, coral reef loss has increased from 30% to 75% in just a decade, driven by rising temperatures, coral bleaching and the 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic polluting our oceans. If these issues continue, coral reefs could disappear completely by 2050. Pleng and Pyn first became aware of these problems during their visits to the sea, where their love for diving led them to notice the growing pollution threatening the once-pristine environment. This sparked their passion for ocean conservation and led them to take action.

They started Care for Coral with a goal to address this by using social-ecological methods, which combine community involvement with environmental restoration. By doing so, they ensure that future generations will have a healthier, more sustainable environment to live in. Travelling across Thailand, they have brought their projects to Koh Tao, Phuket, Koh Phi Phi and Sattahip working hands-on to protect and restore coral reefs with volunteers while inspiring local communities to take action.

Making Reef Restoration Enjoyable and Impactful

Pyn: “Just as we were about to embark on a dive, it started raining heavily. However, despite the rain, the group couldn’t stop smiling–there was something so peaceful and grounding about being underwater working alongside the ecosystem to help bring it back to life. ”

For Pyn one of the memorable moments was when heavy rain began to fall as they were preparing to dive. Even though the divers faced challenges, instead of dampening their spirits, it made the experience even more special. The thriving coral and sea life showed that nature endures even in tough conditions. It was a meaningful moment, pointing out how true fulfillment for her comes from overcoming difficulties and finding purpose along the way.

Pleng: “As eagle rays, turtles and angel fish glide by our restored and thriving reef ecosystems, I remember the smiles shared amongst our community of divers.”

Reminded of the shared joy among the divers, Pleng couldn’t help but think of her time in the water with them. Though they had only met recently, their shared passion for ocean conservation created a strong sense of community. Working side by side to restore the reef transformed them from volunteers into a family of dedicated environmental stewards, united by a common purpose. 

Koktail: As a sea lover, do you both have a favourite marine creature? 

Pyn: “Beluga whales! Their nickname as the “canaries of the sea” reflects their playful and interactive nature, which I find especially endearing. Additionally, belugas thrive in close-knit pods–just like I do!”

Belugas are often called the “canaries of the sea” because of their highly vocal nature, making them one of the most expressive marine mammals. Just as belugas rely on close-knit pods for survival, Pyn and her team depend on collaboration and shared efforts to protect and restore coral reefs. The whales’ playful and interactive nature reflects the teamwork and passion that drive volunteers in their conservation efforts, reinforcing the power of community in creating meaningful change.

Pleng: “Corals! Although the reefs cover less than 1% of the ocean floor, they are home to 25% of all marine life and are an essential habitat for over 1 million aquatic species. In coastal regions like Thailand, flourishing reef ecosystems are especially integral to supporting our home’s blue economy and national culture.”

Since Care for Coral began with a mission to protect marine life, it’s no wonder that coral is Pleng’s favourite. Beyond their environmental role, the reefs support human livelihoods, with around 500 million people worldwide depending on them for fishing, tourism and coastal protection. Acting as natural barriers, reefs help protect shorelines from erosion, waves and storms, lessening the impact of extreme weather. As the foundation of marine ecosystems, coral sustains countless species–underlining the importance of her work that focuses on restoring and preserving these vital reefs for future generations.

Dream the Same Dream: Youth Leading Change

Pyn: “Even though my sister is three years older, she has never hesitated to entrust me with big responsibilities. That trust has pushed me to step up, take ownership of my work in Care for Coral and expand it further.”

Pleng: “I feel very lucky to have such an awesome, smart and talented younger sister. I am very grateful for our close relationship, which has only strengthened through working on our NGO together.”

Working together as sisters, they motivate each other with Pleng’s trust encouraging Pyn to become more involved in Care for Coral and drive the project forward. Through this experience, they learned that leadership isn’t about age, but about reliability and passion. Their confidence in each other has taught them to appreciate how collaboration strengthens their work. 

Pyn: “As young people, we often think we need more experience or authority to make an impact, but the truth is, our voices can cut through the noise and push through crowds.”

As examples of the youth generation, Pleng and Pyn aim to encourage others, especially younger individuals to step up and pursue their goals. Their energy, full of passion, is exactly what’s needed to break through stagnation and drive progress.

Pleng: “Dream big, stay curious and execute with compassion. Care for Coral started as just an idea. At 12 and 16 years old, we simply wanted to get more youth involved in protecting our ocean. We never could’ve imagined that we’d be invited to speak at the United Nations and featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 and Koktail’s 100 Future List.”

Building a Future: Care for Coral’s Next Steps

“Our next plan for Care for Coral is to focus on ensuring its long-term sustainability.”

Pleng and Pyn are committed to ensuring that their initiative continues to make a lasting impact for years to come. They are teaming up with the Stanford Centre for Ocean Solutions to publish a manuscript on Nature Portfolio offering a helpful guide for young people looking to start their own environmental projects worldwide. They’re also expanding their reach by partnering with companies like Air Canada and British Airways to organise CSR reef restoration trips to give businesses and their employees a chance to get hands-on with conservation. 

Alongside this, they’re working with local schools to educate vulnerable communities and raise awareness at the grassroots level. Care for Coral is also growing and welcomes anyone interested in joining their bigger community of passionate environmentalists.