Underwater pioneer

The last sheep decides to go to the hill on the right.

Thon Thamrongnawasawat, a leading marine biologist, says his life is like that of the lone sheep.

"The hill most sheep choose is for engineers, CEOs or doctors. Why do I have to scramble and compete with others? I choose to live close to nature," Thon says.

He has experienced unparalleled career success. Thon is a marine-science pioneer. As a Chulalongkorn University second-year student, he worked as a researcher in an Asean-Australia cooperation, exploring coral reefs in this country.

He is the first Thai to study remote sensing of coral reefs and sea grasses and founded the award-winning website www.talaythai.com. He writes marine-life books.

Thon completed his doctorate at James Cook University, Australia but turned down a job offer at a marine institute in Australia.

"I don't like living overseas. There are few books in Thai about marine life. That's my target," Thon says.

Today he is a marine-science lecturer at Kasetsart University.

Thon's life has involved marine since he was young. He often travelled to the sea with his father, Thaloeng, a former of deputy minister and permanent secretary of the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry.

In every rhythm of life he has never been far from the sea.

"It's not only me who is fascinated with seas. Where do you court girls? Where do you want to drink with friends the most? I'm sure the sea is the answer for many.

"If you are broken hearted you go to the seaside and cry there. It's a place which arouses feelings and emotions the most."

Though born and raised in Bangkok, Thon spent most breaks at Hua Hin.

"The sea is like my close friend," he says. "When I was a student, the sea was like my teacher. At present, the sea is my boss who earns me money."

Thon is dedicated to working for marine life.

"The role of marine scientists is to do things for the sea. You talk to kindergarten or primary students, teach university students, lecture CEOs, write articles about the sea or protest against damage to the marine habitat. Prawns, shellfish, crabs and fish can't talk. I have to speak for them," he says.

Thon has researched Australia's Great Barrier Reef. He has snorkelled since he was six and scuba dived since he was old enough. He has made more than 10,000 dives, and there is no location in Thai waters he has not dived.

However, if you want to be a marine scientist just because you enjoy diving, you might have to think again. It is not all fun. Nobody will help you with tanks and gear.

Marine scientists sometimes have to walk for kilometres to catch a boat. Sometimes they have to fill their tanks themselves.

"To dive for the enjoyment of seeing the beauty of the sea, you can do it anywhere and anytime you want.

"But for work you have to do it all the time. If you want to learn the life of a crab or prawn you have to dive at night. Sometimes the current is strong; but you still have to dive," says Thon.

Marine scientists work both under water and onshore. Thon spends about 100 days a year under water.

To get his message across Thon has had to learn communication skills: speaking, writing, taking photos and producing a website.

Thon won an environmental photography award from Unesco in 1999 and a Thailand Tourism Award in 2001 and 2002 for his website.

Being a marine scientist does not require special or different qualifications or characteristics from being an actor, or even prime minister.

"You need just four qualifications - confidence, steadiness, willingness and hard work," he says.

Story by Suwicha Chanitnun

Photo by Konthee Laungaram