Village Guide Spotlight: Nin from the Moken Tourism Team

Interactive Interpretive Trail

We would like everyone to meet Nin, a knowledgeable and talented Moken guide, who has grown in confidence and capacity since the Moken Tourism Group was formed in 2012. He is one of the original Moken guides and also took part in the pilot program project that was responsible for creating the Moken tourism team that initiated cultural activities and program development for guests to participate in with our help.

Lets go Snorkeling

He is the younger brother of Juree, who is the mother of the Village Headman in the Moken village. Nin was born on the island of Koh Ra and then moved with his extended family to Koh Surin, where he lived on a traditional Moken “Kabang” houseboat until the Moken were designated to live on one beach on the Surin Islands, allowing tourism to begin infiltrating the daily lives of the Moken. Nin has truly seen and understands the development of tourism within him home and is passionate about it happening in a sustainable and culturally respectable manner. Nin has a wife and four children, one of which he has adopted. He never received an education so being part of the Moken Tourism Team allows him to make a respectable income to support his family.

Showing Guests the Traditional Houseboat

His peaceful persona and personnel knowledge about his culture allows for verymeaningful conversation with guests. He enjoys teaching and sharing his way of life with guests and is always thrilled at their respectful enthusiasm and questions. Nin thinks that this private Moken Led tour helps to preserve the Moken culture and its integrity when dealing with tourism that is placed upon the village. It allows for the Moken tourism team to have a stake in the tourism that is affecting their families lives.

We continue to enjoy learning about Nin’s aspirations for the Moken Tourism Team and its contribution to Sustainable tourism on the Surin Islands. It is truly inspiring to be around such dedicated guides who have a genuine drive to sustain their culture and share it with others.