How our foundation started
Sustainable Maikhao Foundation started in 2020 as a project engaging the local community to focus on cleaning the beaches in Maikhao, Phuket. We quickly recognized that not only did we need to find a responsible way to manage the variety of waste collected, but we also needed to begin educating the broader community about the impact of waste on the ocean ecosystem.
Today Sustainable Maikhao Foundation has evolved beyond beach cleaning. We undertake educational workshops across 20 schools in Phuket, coordinate awareness activities with the staff of many hotels, facilitate recycling, and deliver CSR programs for local and visiting corporate teams, as well as continuing to organize cleanups every week in Maikhao.
Please join us in our mission to drive action, awareness, and education, on the ground, in our own community – get involved or donate.
Who we are
Michelle Mouillé
Founder
Michelle moved to Maikhao in 1999 and fell in love with the raw nature of this area, the rich culture and sincerity of the local community. Over the years, she has worked in the education and environment sector through teaching and coordinating environmental preservation projects. As a previous board member and the first coordinator of the Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation (founded by JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa), Michelle gained awareness about the urgency to reduce and manage waste effectively in order to help not only turtles but all marine life. Her focus with Sustainable Maikhao Foundation is to raise awareness about the waste crisis and its negative effect on all ecosystems as well as working together with communities to find solutions and implement best practices. Michelle is part of the Support Network for National Parks Operations in Thailand.
Manoch Saithong
Advisor
Our main advisor is the former village headman of Maikhao Village 4. He is the President of Baan Maikhao Environment Volunteer Group, President of the Phuket Provincial Health Assembly and President of the Phuket Provincial Community Institute Working Group. “Poo Yai” Manoch (meaning “Village Headman” Manoch) is also a member of the Subcommittee for Social Development and Human Security.
He provides us with sound advice about our projects and working with the government. With over 27 years of experience as the leader of this village, he has been instrumental in turtle preservation and improvement of life through his community development projects. He is well known and respected by the local community and government sector.
Kanokwan Sombatkunopakan (Khun Yoda)
Project Assistant and Artist
She is very talented at creating beautiful art pieces from rubbish collected in beach cleanups and runs a student environmental stewardship program with the local children in our village where she teaches them survival skills and how to preserve the natural environment. She is also part of the Support Network for National Parks Operations in Thailand.
Khun Yoda's art
Khun Geh and Khun Rohd
Support Staff
They are efficient and are willing to help in every situation.
Volunteers – Interns – Partners
