Q&A: Jakkrid Peearetid

November 29th, 2007

You can usually find Jakkrid Peearetid (Oak) with other Greenpeace members, in public places, folder in hand, ready to talk to you about why we should care about the environment and how we can lend a hand—by giving Greenpeace some money, for example!

What inspired you to do this job?

I love nature and the environment, and since I used to live outside of Bangkok, I see the differences between here and there and also how Bangkok is changing. Also, Greenpeace is an international organization; that's interesting, too.

Is the job frustrating?

Some people come up to me and say that this is a foreign organization and that I’m selling our country to them, even though they don’t really know what we are doing here. However, there are encouraging moments when we meet people who understand us and have similar goals.

How do you approach people on the streets?

You have to be really open. I tell them about the damage to the environment that is already visible. We have to make them see that our work is concrete. People who live in Bangkok or other big cities tend to forget about their surroundings, being too caught up in their work and other things.

What is the question you most frequently get?

Well, we’re fundraisers, and a lot of people ask what we do with the money. People in Thailand don’t really have a clear picture of what our work is. They’ve heard about GMOs, global warming or pollution, but few people know their real cause or what’s really going on.

What is the hardest thing about this job?

The environment is a huge issue, but I only have a short time to talk. Sometimes there’s only a minute or two, but I have to make them see the big picture so they can understand and decide to help us.

Aren’t there better ways of raising funds?

We don’t have donation boxes—our money comes from people we have spoken to and who understand our work. They can transfer the money through bank accounts or using their credits cards—and some donate regularly. For the same reasons, and to preserve our independence, we don’t accept money from the government or private organizations.

What kind of person gives the most money?

In each area, people are different. In Ayudhaya, I met a factory worker who made B200-300 a day. He had good environmental awareness and said that he thought there was a real problem. He had been saving money for us, to help out. Next to him was his boss, the factory owner, talking to another Greenpeace worker. The boss said he didn’t have any money. Everyone’s different, and these people bring out different feelings in me. Actually, spreading the knowledge is more important than the money. If you educate one person, they can spread the knowledge to others.

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