{"id":84313,"date":"2025-05-16T07:18:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-15T21:18:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/?p=84313"},"modified":"2025-05-16T18:49:08","modified_gmt":"2025-05-16T08:49:08","slug":"ecothailand","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/ecothailand\/","title":{"rendered":"How kids are helping EcoThailand protect the planet\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Thailand’s most popular tourism destinations are facing more environmental challenges than ever before \u2013 but local communities are stepping up, with support from EcoThailand. <\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018I\u2019ve been talking about climate change for over 20 years\u2026 and no one would listen,\u2019 says Jintamard Sinlapaprommard, co-founder and vice-director of EcoThailand<\/a>, as we sip fast-melting iced coffees in a ferry terminal in southern Thailand<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jinta is on her way to Ko Phangan, where EcoThailand is doing some seriously impactful work with schools and communities to inspire the next generation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a Saturday morning and the cafe\u2019s buzzing. There\u2019s the rumble of suitcase wheels, muffled ferry announcements every few minutes and the grinding of a nearby coffee machine working overtime. It\u2019s chaos, but the good kind. The kind that matches Jinta\u2019s enthusiasm as she chats about the work EcoThailand is doing, as well as more broadly about climate, community and the power of education.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the noise, Jinta\u2019s message cuts through loud and clear \u2013 she’s more hopeful than ever before. Because finally, people are listening.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Global challenges, grassroots change<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

EcoThailand is a small community-based organisation in the Surat Thani province. The team focuses on four big things: environment, education, community and ecotourism. They\u2019re on a mission to empower communities in southern Thailand to lead the charge on environmental action, starting with the next generation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The star of the show is their Environmental Guardianship Education Program for school kids on islands like Ko Phangan and Ko Paluay. The program is designed to harness all that youthful energy and use it for good.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Forget worksheets and lectures. Instead, EcoThailand brings education to life with fun activities such as beach clean-ups, lessons about the environmental impact of macro and microplastics and birdwatching excursions. The goal is to make environmental responsibility not just easy to understand, but exciting and empowering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018We have to keep it fun!\u2019 Jinta laughs. \u2018Kids learn better when they\u2019re engaged, and when they feel like they can do something about the problem.\u2019 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And that\u2019s exactly what they\u2019re doing \u2013 one classroom, one cleanup and one morning at a time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

EcoThailand has come a long way in 10 years. Starting with a single project on Ko Phangan, it now covers most schools on the island \u2013 and is also active across Ko Samui and Ko Phaluai, having engaged with almost 20 schools and more than 1000 eager students. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Why the next generation matters<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Rising tides. Plastic pollution. Increasingly unpredictable weather. These are some of the many challenges that directly affect island life, from the environment to the economy. In communities where climate change isn\u2019t a faraway problem but a daily reality, attitude is everything. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Adults know too much,\u2019 Jinta jokes. \u2018They\u2019re already set in their ways.\u2019 But children and teenagers are hopeful, curious and excited to do good, she says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of focusing on doom and gloom, EcoThailand\u2019s approach is rooted in community understanding. By providing education relevant to people\u2019s daily lives and livelihoods \u2013 especially in tourism-dependent regions \u2013 they\u2019re building resilience from the early years into the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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What\u2019s next for EcoThailand?<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The goal isn\u2019t to solve everything overnight. It\u2019s about building momentum for small changes to have a positive impact down the track. To turn today\u2019s students into tomorrow\u2019s changemakers.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

EcoThailand wants to partner with more schools, students and local businesses, with support from organisations such as\u00a0The Intrepid Foundation<\/a>. The hope is to keep expanding its<\/span> reach and impact with education that empowers people to protect the places they love.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether they’re developing a new nature-based learning module, helping schools reduce their plastic waste or partnering with local businesses on ecotourism projects, EcoThailand is constantly finding new ways to make positive change. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In October 2024, the Intrepid Foundation awarded EcoThailand an AUD 5000 impact grant<\/a> to support responsible tourism initiatives for communities on Ko Phaluai. Due to the installation of a new pier, these communities are set to see an influx of international visitors.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018The world is changing, so our programs have to change too,\u2019 Jinta says. \u2018We\u2019re always adapting to keep it relevant and fun.\u2019 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even after two decades of climate advocacy, her energy hasn\u2019t wavered. If anything, it\u2019s grown. \u2018I just keep doing what I love,\u2019 she says, smiling. \u2018And when the kids get excited about the environment, that\u2019s when I know we\u2019re doing something right.\u2019 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn more about <\/strong>EcoThailand<\/strong><\/a> or find your next adventure in Thailand with Intrepid<\/a>.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In Thailand, the next generation are joining the fight against climate change.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16148,"featured_media":84316,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[3105],"tags":[35],"class_list":["post-84313","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-good-ideas","tag-thailand","ipf_region-thailand"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nHow Thai kids fight climate change | The Good Times by Intrepid<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover how Intrepid Foundation partner 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