Nadol has spoken at many events to raise awareness about the plight of leopard sharks, a species critically endangered in Thailand.

Thanadol (Nadol) Chuashuwongse, a G7 learner at VERSO, is a young environmental advocate with an unwavering passion for leopard shark conservation. As a founding student since 2020, Nadol has seamlessly integrated his love for these magnificent creatures into his educational journey.

Driven by a deep connection to nature instilled through participation in nature camps organized by the Environmental and Social Foundation (ESF), Nadol became a founding member of The Youth Wildlife Guardians (YWG), group, comprising students aged 8-17 dedicated to preserving endangered species through the creation of documentaries.

With an insatiable curiosity and a thirst for knowledge, Nadol has devoted countless hours to studying these fascinating creatures, immersing himself in their world.

"When I was much younger, I was really scared of public speaking. Dr. Alongkot reminded me that these animals can’t speak. If we don’t speak for them, no one can help them. That is why I am no longer afraid of public speaking."

-NADOL, G7

At VERSO, Nadol has been actively involved in numerous Explore projects, VERSO's unique approach that allows learners to pursue projects based on their personal interests while developing academic skills, abilities, and knowledge. Nadol's projects have focused on raising awareness about the plight of leopard sharks, a species critically endangered in Thailand.

Nadol's passion for leopard sharks extends far beyond the classroom. He has been a certified Advanced Open Water Diver for three years, completing over 100 dives in Thailand, primarily at Shark Point Phuket, renowned for its leopard shark sightings. His commitment to conservation has led him to collaborate with his mentor, the esteemed environmental conservationist Dr. Alongkot Chukaew (pictured in the middle below), who has guided Nadol in his documentary endeavors.

"Ever since I attended these camps, it just made me feel attached to nature, and I really want to help protect the environment, especially marine life in the ocean, as the ocean is a big part of the world," Nadol explains. "There is one specific species I would always see at aquariums but never during my dives in its natural habitat, and that is the leopard shark, so that is why my project is on this."

Nadol's dedication to his cause has propelled him to the forefront of environmental advocacy. In February this year, he presented at the "Power of the Youth Wildlife Guardians-Environmental Education Unit '' event at NIST International School, collaborating with Thailand's ESF. Here, he conducted an engaging presentation, highlighting the importance of leopard sharks to marine ecosystems and the conservation efforts required to protect them.

Nadol and a member of the The Youth Wildlife Guardians presented at the "Power of the Youth Wildlife Guardians-Environmental Education Unit '' event at NIST this year.

"I have been sharing my research on leopard shark behaviors, habitats, and the threats they face," Nadol says. "I also had the opportunity to meet with Khun Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, to discuss my project further."

Nadol  met with Khun Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, to discuss his project

Nadol's impact extends beyond presentations. Last year, on World Environment Day 2023, he addressed an audience of over 500 participants at the Amari Watergate hotel, supported by the World Wildlife Fund Thailand and the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (Germany). He shared the plight of leopard sharks and fundraised THB 50,000 through the sale of keychains he made.

Nadol fundraised THB 50,000 through the sale of keychains (pictured below) he made to support his  project on leopard shark

Last year, on World Environment Day 2023, Nadol addressed an audience of over 500 participants at the Amari Watergate hotel

Furthering his mission to raise awareness about leopard sharks, Nadol has spent the past few months filming a documentary on these captivating marine creatures. 

Inspired by his friends' success in winning awards for documentaries on leatherback turtles and dugongs at film festivals, Nadol is now in the final stages of completing his own documentary with the goal of submitting it to competitions across the US, Japan, and other parts of the world. With just final edits and adding of some clips left, Nadol's documentary promises to be a powerful medium to shed light on the declining leopard shark population and ignite a global conversation about their conservation.

"Winning or losing is not important," he says, "as long as I am able to spread awareness of the decreasing population of leopard sharks, I am happy.”

The cover of Nadol's powerful documentary video, created to submit to  film festivals worldwide. He hopes this impactful film will shed crucial light on the declining leopard shark population and ignite an urgent global conversation about conserving these remarkable marine predators

Nadol (back row, third right)) is a member of The Youth Wildlife Guardians (YWG), group, comprising students ages 8-17 dedicated to preserving endangered species through the creation of documentaries.

On World Environment Day held on on 5 June this year, Nadol shared a trailer to his documentary, The charming Leopard Sharks, to the audience to give them a sneak peek before he completes his final edits. Once again, he joined his peers at the event entitled Power of the Youth Wildlife Guardians organized by the ESF. 

 Nadol shared a trailer to his documentary, The charming Leopard Sharks, at the World Environment Day event held on 5 June 2024 at Amari Watergate hotel.

Nadol  (front row, third right) and his peers from the Youth Wildlife Guardian, along with  esteemed environmental conservationist Dr. Alongkot Chukaew at the World Environment event this year on 5 June

During the weekend of 8-9 June 2024, Nadol will be in Krabi to conduct a workshop on ocean conservation with local school children and participate in a beach clean-up activity.

Nadol's journey at VERSO has been instrumental in nurturing his passion.

"Being a project-based learning school, VERSO has allowed me to immerse myself in what I'm truly passionate about. I'm encouraged to explore my interests through hands-on projects, which has helped me develop essential skills like public speaking and research. 

"When I was much younger, I was really scared of public speaking. However, Dr. Alongkot reminded me that these animals can’t speak. If we don’t speak for them, no one can help them. That is why I am no longer afraid of public speaking,"  shared Nadol.

"Being a project-based learning school, VERSO has allowed me to immerse myself in what I'm truly passionate about. I'm encouraged to explore my interests through hands-on projects, which has helped me develop essential skills like public speaking and research."

-NADOL, G7

Nadol's projects have spanned a wide range of marine life, from corals in Grade 5 to seahorses in Grade 6, before culminating in his extensive work on leopard sharks in Grade 7.

Nadol and his projects on leopard sharks and the ocean

With his unwavering determination and commitment to leopard shark conservation, Nadol is poised to make a lasting impact on the preservation of these magnificent creatures and the marine ecosystems they inhabit.

"Winning or losing is not important. As long as I am able to spread awareness of the decreasing population of leopard sharks, I am happy.”

          -NADOL, G7