Greenpeace Southeast Asia appoints Veerawit Tianchainan as its new leader

Veerawit Tianchainan Takes the Helm at Greenpeace Southeast Asia

Veerawit Tianchainan, a seasoned advocate for environmental and human rights causes, has been appointed as the new Executive Director of Greenpeace Southeast Asia. His tenure begins on August 1, 2025.

Tianchainan brings over 25 years of leadership experience in diplomacy, public policy, grassroots mobilization, and international cooperation to the role. His career has seen him work with various governments, multilateral bodies, and civil society organizations across Southeast Asia and globally.

One of Tianchainan's earliest roles was with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Regional Office in Thailand. This was followed by the founding of the Thai Committee for Refugees Foundation (TCR), Thailand’s first nationally registered nonprofit focused on refugee protection. Under his leadership, TCR became a prominent advocate for refugees, asylum seekers, and stateless people in Thailand and the region.

Tianchainan's career also includes leadership roles at the USAID-WWF Mekong for the Future Programme, where he served as chief of party and led projects on environmental governance, community rights, and natural resource protection throughout the Lower Mekong and ASEAN region. He also served as Executive Director of The Freedom Story in Chiang Rai, an organization combating child trafficking.

In addition, Tianchainan has held advisory roles for the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand, the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights, the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children, and the Asian Research Center for Migration.

Tianchainan's vision for Greenpeace Southeast Asia emphasizes standing up to unjust systems and creating bold, fair alternatives that prioritize communities and the environment. His focus aligns with the organization's mission to protect the environment, empower local communities, and advocate for a transition away from fossil fuels towards clean energy. This mission is also aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 13 (Climate Action), 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

The appointment comes at a critical time for Greenpeace, as a US jury found the organization liable for defamation and other claims in a lawsuit brought by a pipeline company in March. This ruling potentially threatens Greenpeace's US operations. Despite this challenge, Tianchainan has expressed his commitment to fighting for environmental justice and a dignified future for all in Southeast Asia.

Tianchainan takes over from Jasper Inventor, who assumed the role temporarily after Naderev "Yeb" Saño's resignation in December. Under Tianchainan's leadership, Greenpeace Southeast Asia is poised to continue its work in protecting the environment, empowering local communities, and advocating for a sustainable future for Southeast Asia.

[1] [Source 1] [2] [Source 2] [3] [Source 3]

Veerawit Tianchainan's tenure as the new Executive Director of Greenpeace Southeast Asia, starting August 1, 2025, is expected to focus on environmental justice and creating a sustainable future, aligning with the organization's mission and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 13 (Climate Action), 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
Tianchainan's extensive career in diplomacy, public policy, and international cooperation, including roles at the USAID-WWF Mekong for the Future Programme, The Freedom Story, and various advisory roles, prepare him well for leading Greenpeace Southeast Asia in climate-change initiatives and policy-and-legislation efforts.
As a prominent advocate for refugees, asylum seekers, and stateless people in Southeast Asia through his leadership at the Thai Committee for Refugees Foundation, Tianchainan's appointment signals a commitment by Greenpeace to environmental-science and lifestyle changes that prioritize the well-being of communities.
Tianchainan's career in environmental governance, community rights, and natural resource protection, as well as his work in combating child trafficking, demonstrate his politically-oriented approach to addressing critical environmental issues in the general-news landscape.