Who is the Man Behind the Waves?

Siranudh "Psi" Scott, affectionately known as "Merman," has recently captivated the media with his clash against Thailand's Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP). After being ousted from his advisory role amid allegations of impropriety, opinions are split: some hail his conservation efforts while others criticize what they perceive as arrogance.

An Ocean Advocate with a Mission

This Scottish-Thai marine conservationist isn't just a pretty face; he's the founder of Sea You Strong, an initiative dedicated to ocean preservation and environmental education. In 2023, he led a daring 70-kilometre relay swim across the Andaman Sea with 36 volunteers, setting a Southeast Asian record and raising awareness about the dire state of plastic pollution.

A member of the influential Bhirombhakdi family, which owns Boon Rawd Brewery, Siranudh is also a graduate of the California Institute of the Arts. After returning to Thailand during the Covid-19 pandemic, he sought a deeper purpose—and he certainly found it in the ocean.

The Viral Incident That Sparked Controversy

What truly ignited the flames of controversy was a viral video where Siranudh confronted a foreign couple for making racist remarks in a national park. In the clip, he raised awareness about their disrespectful behavior after they greeting him in Chinese. The backlash was immediate, with opinions hovering between applause for his boldness and condemnation for being overly confrontational.

Siranudh didn’t shy away from the confrontation, asserting, “This type of behavior undermines Thai identity and is, frankly, racist.” His stance resonates on social media, where he boasts over 900,000 followers combined on TikTok and Facebook.

Defying Authority: The Swimming Incident

He also faced backlash for confronting two elderly Italian tourists caught swimming in a coral restoration zone. Ignoring clear signage, they swam far from their boat, forcing rangers to intervene. Siranudh dramatically described the male tourist’s response as aggressively ignorant, claiming entitlement because he paid for a tour. Their encounter, which ended with Siranudh flipping the tourist off, went viral, amassing over 20 million views.

Championing Ranger Welfare

Not just a brawler, Siranudh passionately advocates for the welfare of rangers, highlighting their lack of support and low salaries for high-risk work. He has raised concerns about the severe discrepancies in protection and compensation for these unsung heroes.

The Fallout with the DNP

Despite his advocacy, conflict brewed between him and park officials. A formal complaint was lodged against Siranudh, alleging he overstepped his bounds and used park resources without permission. Critics argue he prioritized content creation for his social media over the mission of the DNP, leading to his eventual dismissal.

DNP Director-General Attapol Charoenchansa acknowledged Siranudh’s contributions but criticized his recent fixation on social media as detrimental. With the assertion that conservation is a collaborative effort, he deemed it necessary to part ways with the controversial figure.

A Defiant Response

Unyielding, Siranudh rebuffed the criticisms, proclaiming, "I've never crossed the line. The system is flawed, not my actions." He insists that his departure from the DNP stems from his challenges to corrupt practices among certain officials, particularly regarding ticket fraud.

As he poignantly states, "I belong to the sea… and no one can take me away from what I love." Siranudh’s future remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: he is not going quietly.