Bio

 

      Sirachai (Shin) Arunrugstichai is a Thai photojournalist, based in Bangkok, Thailand.

      Formally trained as a marine biologist, Shin studied community-based coral reef restoration and shark fisheries. But after witnessing detrimental changes in the marine environment that he loves, he shifted his career toward conservation photojournalism. It becomes his purpose to tell the stories of our intertwining relationships with the oceans, so as the natural wonders that remain and need protection.

 

      Shin mainly works with conservation organizations, including IUCN, Save Our Seas Foundation, WildAid, Ocean Conservancy, and others, and also photographs news for Getty Images as a stringer. His images have been published by National Geographic, the Smithsonian, TIME, the New York Times, the Washington Post, and the Guardian, amongst others.

 

      Shin is a National Geographic Explorer, an Associated Fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers, one of the World Press Photo 6x6 Global Talents, listed among the PDN’s 30s, and a talent of Xposure Global Focus Program. He gave TEDx talks on marine conservation photography for Bangkok in 2017, and Hong Kong in 2021. His photographs were awarded in multiple international competitions.

 

      Although his focus is now on conservation photojournalism, he is still active within the scientific community. Shin is a co-founder of Thai Sharks and Rays, an independent research collective, and he regularly collaborates on sharks and rays research in the Southeast Asia region, which he calls home. He serves as a consultant for the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources of Thailand.

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Education

 

Master of Science: Ecology: Prince of Songkla University

Bachelor of Science: Environment (Ecology): Mahidol University International College

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Membership

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International League of Conservation Photographers

Diversify Photo


Grants
 

2024 : Vital Impacts Dr. Sylvia Earle Environmental Photography Grant

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2023 : National Geographic Society Level II Explorer Grant

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2020 : National Geographic Society COVID-19 Emergency Fund for Journalists 

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2019 : National Geographic Society Early Career Explorer Grant

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2016 : Save Our Seas Foundation Marine Conservation Photography Grant

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Awards

2024 : Ocean Photographer of the Year: Finalist / Conservation (Impact)

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2024 : Nature & Human Photography Competition: Finalist / Conservation (Thematic Series)

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2024 : Big Picture Natural World Photography Competition: Finalist / Public Choice

2024 : FPA2 Environmental Photography Award: Finalist / Change Makers Reasons for Hope

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2024 : Pictures of the Year Asia: Award of Excellence / Cultural Practice

 

2024 : Pictures of the Year International: Finalist / Daily Life (Picture Story)

2024 : Pictures of the Year International: Award of Excellence / Science & Natural Histories (Single)

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2024 : Underwater Photographer of the Year: Commended / Marine Conservation

 

2023 : Ocean Photographer of the Year: Winner / Portfolio

2023 : Ocean Photographer of the Year: 3rd place / Conservation (Impact)

2023 : Ocean Photographer of the Year: Finalist / Human Connection

2023 : Ocean Photographer of the Year: Finalist / Conservation (Impact)

2023 : FPA2 Environmental Photography Award: Finalist / Ocean Worlds

2023 : FPA2 Environmental Photography Award: Finalist / Humanity vs Nature 
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2023 : Underwater Photographer of the Year: Commended / Marine Conservation

 

2022 : Asociación Española de Fotógrafos de Naturaleza: Honorable Mention / Man & Nature

 

2022 : Asociación Española de Fotógrafos de Naturaleza: 3rd place / Underwater

 

2022 : Asociación Española de Fotógrafos de Naturaleza: 3rd place / Other Animals

2021 : Nature's Best Photography International Awards 2020: Highly Honored / Conservation Story

2021 : Underwater Photographer of the Year: Commended / Marine Conservation

2020 : Oceans Photography Awards: Finalist / Exploration Photographer of the Year

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2020 : United Nation World Oceans Day: Winner / Clean Our Ocean

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2020 : United Nation World Oceans Day: 3rd Place / Human Interaction

 

2020 : Pictures of the Year International: Award of Excellence / Science & Natural Histories (Single)

2019 : Fourth IUCN Red List of Ecosystems Photo Contest: Finalist (Single)

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2019 : Fourth IUCN Red List of Ecosystems Photo Contest: Finalist (Photo Series)

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2019 : MontPhoto International Nature Photography Contest: Honour / Environmental Report

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2019 : Dive Photo Guide SharkCon Photo Competition: Bronze / Shark Behaviour

 

2019 : Dive Photo Guide SharkCon Photo Competition: Finalist / Shark Portrait

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2019 : Sustainable Ocean and Forest Photo Competition: First Runner Up / Seascape, Forest, Conservation

2019 : Thailand Dive Expo Photo Photography Competition: Winner / Marine Conservation

2019 : Underwater Photographers of the Year: Highly Commended / Marine Conservation

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2018 : United Nation World Oceans Day: Third Prize Winner / Above Water Landscape

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2018 : National Geographic (Thailand): 2018 Thai Explorer Award

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2018 : Thailand Dive Expo Photo Competition: Second Runner Up / Open Wide Angle

 

2017 : Big Picture Natural World Photography Competition: Finalist / Human/Nature

2017 : Thailand Dive Expo Photo Competition: Second Runner Up / Open Wide Angle

2016 : International Union for Conservation of Nature Ocean Photographer of the Year : Special Mention

 

2016 : Big Picture Natural World Photography Competition: Finalist / Human/Nature

 

2016 : Save Our Seas Foundation: Marine Conservation Photography Grant Winner 

2015 : Thailand Dive Expo Photo Competition: Commendatory Award / DSLR

2014 : 4th Marine Science Conference: Grand Prize / Behaviour & Biodiversity

2014 : 4th Marine Science Conference: Popular Vote / Behaviour & Biodiversity

2014 : 4th Marine Science Conference: 1st Runner Up / Macro

2014 : 4th Marine Science Conference: Popular Vote / Macro

2014 : United Nation World Oceans Day: Finalist / Underwater Life

2013 : National Geographic Thailand: Finalist / 10 Photos Storytelling

2013 : OCEANS 2013: Finalist / Resources Harvest

2013 : OCEANS 2013: Finalist / Fauna and Flora

2013 : La Mer Love the Sea Competition: Grand Prize Winner

2013 : Koh Tao Photo Contest: Grand Prize Winner / Landscape

2013 : Thailand Dive Expo Photo Competition  Grand Prize Winner / Compact Camera

2013 : iThink Wildlife Photo Competition: First Runner Up

2012 : Department of National Park Wildlife and Plant Conservation National Photo Competition: Honourable Mention / Open Competition

2012 : Love Wildlife Photography Competition: Honourable Mention / Marine Life

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2012 : Koh Tao Photo Competition: Grand Prize Winner / Underwater
 

Exhibitions

2022 : "Tangled" with Love Wildlife Foundation and Environmental Justice Foundation at Bangkok Art and Cultural Center, Bangkok, Thailand

 

2021 : "Deep VI Photo Exhibition" with Deep VI at Woofpack, Bangkok, Thailand

 

2020 : "The Truth from Two Seas" at Alliance Française, Bangkok, Thailand

2017 : "Sights of the Seas" with ORIS at Siam Paragon, Bangkok, Thailand

2017 : "Yum Talay" with Love Wildlife Foundation at Sirikit National Convention Hall, Bangkok, Thailand

2017 : "Arts for the Oceans" with Greenpeace at Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, Bangkok, Thailand

2015 : "Save Koh Tao Festival" with Save Koh Tao Community Group, Suratthani, Thailand

2014 : "Marine Conference Photo Exhibition" at Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand

2012 : "Love Wildlife Photography Exhibition" at Foreign Correspondents Club Thailand, Bangkok, Thailand.

2012 : "The Elephant" with Taejai at the SYNC, Bangkok, Thailand

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Scientific Publications

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​Womersley, F. C., Rohner, C. A., Abrantes, K., Afonso, P., Arunrugstichai, S., Bach, S. S., Barash, A., Barens, P., Barnett, A., Boldrocchi, G., Buffat, N., Canon, T., Canovaz Perez, C., Chuangcharoendee, M., Cochran J. E. M., de la Parra, R., Diamant, S., Driggers, W., Dudgeon C. L., & Araujo, G. (2024). Identifying priority sites for whale shark ship collision management globally. Science of The Total Environment, 934, 172776

 

Klangnurak, W., Arunrugstichai, S., Manopawitr, P., & Krajangdara, T. (2023). DNA-based species identification of shark fins traded in thai markets. Conservation Genetics, 1-10.

Clark‐Shen, N., Chin, A., Arunrugstichai, S., Labaja, J., Mizrahi, M., Simeon, B., & Hutchinson, N. (2022). Status of Southeast Asia's marine sharks and rays. Conservation Biology.

Magson, K., Monacella, E., Scott, C., Buffat, N., Arunrugstichai, S., Chuangcharoendee, M., Pierce, J., Holmberg, J. & Araujo, G. (2022). Citizen science reveals the population structure and seasonal presence of whale sharks in the Gulf of Thailand. Journal of Fish Biology.

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Lim, K. C., White, W. T., Then, A. Y., Naylor, G. J., Arunrugstichai, S., & Loh, K. H. (2022). Integrated Taxonomy Revealed Genetic Differences in Morphologically Similar and Non-Sympatric Scoliodon macrorhynchos and S. laticaudus. Animals, 12(6), 681.

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White, W. T., Arunrugstichai, S., & Naylor, G. J. (2021). Revision of the genus Mustelus (Carcharhiniformes: Triakidae) in the northern Indian Ocean, with description of a new species and a discussion on the validity of M. walkeri and M. ravidus. Marine Biodiversity, 51(3), 1-24.

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Arunrugstichai, S., True, J. D., & White, W. T. (2018). Catch composition and aspects of the biology of sharks caught by Thai commercial fisheries in the Andaman Sea. Journal of Fish Biology 92, 1487-1504. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.13605

Scott, C. M., Mehrotra, R., Cabral, M., & Arunrugstichai, S. (2017). Changes in hard coral abundance and composition on Koh Tao, Thailand, 2006-2014. Coastal Ecosystems 4, 26-38.

Chen, X., Shen, X. J., Arunrugstichai, S., Ai, W., & Xiang, D. (2014). Complete mitochondrial genome of the blacktip reef shark Carcharhinus melanopterus (Carcharhiniformes: Carcharhinidae). Mitochondrial DNA 27, 873-874.

Chen, X., Xiang, D., Arunrugstichai, S., Cai, L., & Xu, Y. (2014). Complete mitochondrial genome of the mangrove whipray Himantura granulata (Myliobatiformes: Dasyatidae). Mitochondrial DNA 27, 1-2.