About Us

The Koh Ra Ecolodge was started by Kim Obermeyer with the incomparable help and support of Sirikanjana Chantakian (“Awe”) and a small group of dedicated Thai and Westerners who love nature, community, and support the vision of sustainability.

Kim started the Ecolodge after working in the Northern Andaman region for about six years doing coral reef conservation work with the non-profit Reef Check as the Country Coordinator and Lead Scientist. He has a background in research biology, conservation and project management with degrees in environmental economics, environmental management, and biology. The Reef Check team based their field research at the closed “Koh Ra Nature Beach Resort” for two years before taking over the management to open up this sleepy but amazing place as the Koh Ra Ecolodge in 2008. With help from many people and drawing on connections with other local NGO's and communities, the Ecolodge was born.

Awe also came to the region with Reef Check as their Educational and Volunteer Coordinator. She has a degree in political science and is passionate about Thai cooking, gardening and medicinal plants.

Other key members of the team include, Renu “Juum” Saengsawang with her background in hotels and managing a dive center. Khumron "Tos” Waipaka our dedicated dive master and techy (check out his You Tube video under News & Photos tab). Long term volunteers Jarod and Heather Raithel are remembered for their trails, field guides, maps, educational materials and cheerful dispositions. “Sii", who has lived on Koh Ra full time for eight years, does it all and “Ruut” our student chef from a nearby village is completing his degree from Rhamkamhaeng University in Bangkok.