Origins
Paul Hancock and Patricia Solar started the Khom Loy project in 2002. Khom Loy Development Foundation is now a foundation registered under Thai law, working on projects assisting the Burmese migrant/refugee communities based on the Burma/Thai borders. We are currently working on projects in the fields of agriculture, income generation, education and handicrafts.
Our Founders
Paul Hancock studied law at Oxford before qualifying as a solicitor in the UK and obtaining an MBA from INSEAD Business School, Fontainebleu, France. He worked as a lawyer, management consultant and property entrepreneur before moving to Thailand to establish Khom Loy. These eclectic educational and work choices have perfectly prepared him for developing the various projects of the Foundation. His dedication to delegation and recruiting experts means he manages to keep a firm hand on the tiller while cycling up mountains, kayaking down streams and exploring SE Asia with an eye to expansion.
Patricia Solar was born close to the North Pole in Canada and has been moving closer to the equator ever since. Her intensive experience of shopping and amateur love of textiles made her a natural for developing the handicraft project but her MBA and marketing experience are proving valuable.
Our Board of Directors
Ratri Chaichumba (President) was formerly Head of Child and Youth Activities at the YMCA, Chiang Rai and also Assistant Project Director at The Northern Thailand Women’s Development Foundation. Her work as the former Principal of a local English-speaking Montessori school, Pittisuksa gives her particular insight into our Montessori-based education project.
Dr. Waranahd Imghiad (Director/Secretary) is a doctor at the local Chiang Rai Public Hospital specialising in Ear, Nose and Throat area. She helps develop medical projects with KLDF.
Bruce Kennedy was born in Canada, and spent most of his professional career working in developing countries mainly with UNICEF in Africa. Consequently, he is able to bring a broad perspective of development issues based on his experiences elsewhere.
Ladda Kangwannawakul is a Thai educator in the non-formal education department of Chiang Rai City. Her connections and relationships with local government officials are very useful to our work.
Office Manager
Natchakarn Seneewong Na Ayudhya (Muay) is our Office Manager. Muay joined Khom Loy in March 2007. She graduated from Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai with a BA in English.
UPlift Project Manager
Mark Cox joined Khom Loy in June 2010 and now manages the UPlift Poverty Reduction Project at its base in Mae Sot as well as co-managing the Project Inspire work. Previously Mark served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Chiang Rai Province from 2008-2010.
Our UPlift Project Staff
Kaw Maw Taw joined Khom Loy in 2011 as its Agricultural Field Officer in Mae Sot. He speaks English, Thai, Burmese, and Karen, and has worked on private agriculture projects in two refugee camps on the Thai/Burma border.
Montessori Project Manager
Lyn Musan (Damaris) has a certificate in Montessori Childhood Education and a number of years of experience teaching Montessori in Kenya, as well as other involvement with young children as a Play Therapist in a hospital. Damaris originally came to Khom Loy in 2007 as a short-term volunteer and stayed on.
Our Montessori Project Staff
Vanichaya Booddee (Nin) – Montessori teacher/Montessori Assistant Manager. Nin graduated from Chiangrai Rajabhat University in Early Childhood Education. Nin has been working with Khomloy since 2006. During her spare time she likes knitting and she enjoys preparing Thai desserts.
Anthika Moonsueb (Lee) — Montessori teacher. Lee graduated from Chiangrai Rajabhat University in Early Childhood Education. Lee began working with Khomloy in 2007. Lee likes karate, collecting stamps and she is a “Supa” cook – she loves preparing Thai mouth-watering cuisines and she plans to run her own restaurant in the future.
Nattanan Kongthanapinit (San) — Montessori teacher. With a degree in Early Childhood Education Chiangrai Rajabhat University, San started working at Khomloy in July 2010. Fishing is one of San’s pastimes.
Busadee Booddee (Budd) – Montessori teacher. Budd began working with Khomloy in July 2010. She holds a degree in Primary Education from Chiangrai Rajabhat University. In her free time, Budd enjoys listening to music and reading magazines.
Ratthasad Arsaku (Thon) – Montessori teacher. After graduating from Chiangrai Rajabhat University with a degree in Social Science Development, Thon joined Khomloy in June 2011. Playing football (soccer) and running are among Thon’s favorite activities.
Monta Kampangkhom (Fay) – Montessori teacher. Fay started working at Khomloy in June 2011. She graduated from Chiangrai Rajabhat University in Social Science Development. In her spare time, Fay enjoys creating new things by using used/old materials.
Diyanti Tumada (Silo) – Montessori volunteer. Diyanti holds a Montessori Early Childhood certificate from NEMTEC – USA. Besides working with children, Diyanti has a passion for photography.