‘Merman’ Sparks Debate After Dismissal from Marine Advisory Role
BANGKOK – Marine conservationist and social media personality Siranudh Scott, better known as “Merman,” has ignited national discussion following his removal from an advisory post with Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP). The controversy stems from a series of high-profile encounters with tourists, internal park disputes, and his increasing focus on content creation.
Who is Siranudh Scott?
A Thai-Scottish marine activist and endurance swimmer, Siranudh gained fame for environmental advocacy and his leadership of the volunteer group Sea You Strong. In 2023, he led a 70-kilometre Andaman Sea relay swim, setting a Southeast Asian record to highlight ocean pollution.
A descendant of the Bhirombhakdi family, owners of Boon Rawd Brewery, and a graduate of CalArts in animation, Siranudh returned to Thailand during the pandemic to focus on marine conservation. His online presence has surged, with over 555,000 TikTok followers and more than 272,000 on Facebook.
Viral Encounters and Public Reaction
The turning point came after a viral video showed Siranudh confronting a foreign couple in a national park after the man mocked him with a “ni hao” greeting. Siranudh called out the racial undertone, saying it reflected ignorance and disrespect toward Thai identity.
Another incident involved two Italian tourists illegally swimming in a coral restoration area off Krabi. After they ignored multiple warnings, one had to be physically escorted back to a patrol boat. In a moment that drew both support and criticism, Siranudh was seen flipping off one of the tourists — a video that amassed over 20 million views.
Push for Ranger Welfare and Reform
Siranudh has also advocated for better working conditions for marine rangers, pointing out low wages, lack of life insurance, and insufficient recognition for the dangers they face. His efforts resonated with the public, but allegedly clashed with internal operations.
Complaints from Within
On April 19, park officials submitted a complaint to the DNP, accusing Siranudh of overstepping his role. Allegations included unauthorised use of park vehicles, unauthorised drone use, and bringing foreign team members into protected zones without clearance. He was also criticised for creating personal content rather than DNP-sanctioned media and for making “arrogant” comments about other staff.
Park Chief Sangsuree Songthong expressed that Siranudh’s actions created tension, especially when staff felt unfairly portrayed in his videos.
DNP Response and Removal
DNP Director-General Attapol Charoenchansa, who initially appointed Siranudh in January, acknowledged his environmental contributions but stated that his recent focus on content misrepresented the DNP’s work. “Conservation is a collective effort, not a solo mission,” he said, announcing Siranudh’s removal from the advisory post due to continued protocol breaches.
The move triggered backlash from netizens, many of whom defended Siranudh and called for the DNP to investigate its own practices instead.
Merman’s Response
In his defence, Siranudh claimed he strictly followed the rules and that resistance to his presence stemmed from exposing corruption, especially around ticket fraud in marine parks. “I’ve never accepted money from the DNP,” he stated. “I belong to the sea, and no one can take me away from what I love.”
Despite his removal, Siranudh remains a prominent and polarising figure in Thailand’s environmental scene, seen by some as a whistleblower and by others as a disruptive outsider.
