Ramphai Noikaew

 “Pi” Ramphai was born and raised in Thailand, “The Land of Smiles”. At birth, she was given a name meaning, “The sunshine after the rain is gone” which, to all who know her, is rather appropriate. She grew up in a small rural village near the Thai-Laos border. As her grandparents migrated from Laos, she grew up with a unique cultural blend that has greatly influenced her language, way of living, farming, preparing food and interacting with the world.

Ramphai is passionate about engaging youth and empowering them to become aware of our interconnectedness with all living things. She has worked with NGOs in Sri Lanka assisting small-scale farmers to adapt to climate change under the FK Norway project. She received a scholarship to join the South East Asia Permaculture Convergence in the Philippines. She led a delegation of young people to participate environmental panels at the Asia Pacific Environmental International Youth Forum in South Korea.

Currently, Ramphai lives in an ecovillage in Northern Thailand called Pun Pun Center for Self Reliance where she runs educational programs for students on sustainable living practices such as implementing simple water filtration systems, organic farming, ecological building design and construction. She facilitates workshops in both Thailand and Internationally where she teaches permaculture principles, natural product making and natural healthcare for women.  As a long-term Pun Pun community member, Ramphai takes a leadership role in managing community development, including emotional well-being and childcare.