16 RIS Students with ideas worth spreading
16 Student Presenters from RIS
Student presenters are given here in the order they will appear on stage along with a brief biography of them and a synopsis of their TEDx talk.
Supisaranee (Mimi) Komthongchusakul
"A Step to the Futuristic World"
Not only advanced technology but also the morality in humanity are important factors that influence the world in which we live, Mimi believes. In this inspiring TEDx talk, knowing that effort, passion, and belief are the keys to success, she motivates all to reach and thrive for their dreams, and together, create a memorable history.
Mimi Komthongchusakul immediately became interested in robots and technology when a family member gave her a robotic dinosaur as a birthday present when she was young. Now a sixteen-year-old sophomore, when the topic ‘robot’ came to mind, she was inspired and determined to bring back the memory of her robotic dinosaur to the TEDx stage upon which she had dreamed to one day stand. She is a well-rounded student who enjoys playing piano and violin, singing, dancing, and drawing; she is known for her creativity and her artistic skills.
Namthai Hoang
"Do people really care that much?"
Adolescent teen, Namthai Hoang, was always worried about his reputation. To him, every mistake was catastrophic, every blunder, astronomical. He has since discovered the truth however, and in this ego-boosting talk, is here to tell you that you’re not as memorable as you think you are.
Vietnamese Namthai Hoang has an armor-clad ego that reveals itself in both humble and ostentatious ways. The 15-year old transplant to Thailand enjoys reading and watching movies, as well as power posing before he takes the stage to present before an audience.
Phatraporn (Toffy) Chureeganon
"Can we Eat Man’s Best Friend?"
Why do we humans make the carnivorous choices that we do, like not eating dogs? Toffy believes people do not make most decisions using reason; instead they use their emotions without realizing it. News reports on the illegal dog meat trade inspired her to poke further into the emotion vs. reason argument with the belief that most humans are biased towards eating dogs only because they are kept as pets and perceived as “cute”. In this talk aimed at widening perspectives and the supermarket list of meat choices, she explains why some animals are met with a cleaver and others are met with a hug.
Toffy does not have a pet dog, but does notice the street dogs everywhere and has watched news reports on people who do eat dogs. It motivated her to think that people should be responsible for their own dogs or if not, why can’t humans just make use of those dogs for other purposes. She thinks maybe dogs can also be livestock just like pigs, chickens and cows. Why is it wrong to eat dogs? Besides considering the tradeoffs of dog meat, she often reads novels and enjoys cooking during her free time (but not dog meat).
Roopesh Krishnamoorthy
"How can God and Spirituality improve the world?"
Roopesh believes that there is more to spirituality than just the belief in it and that God exists in this world. The purpose of God is to protect us and create people who actually follow in his foot steps to make the world a better place through nonviolence and peace. There is one problem, however--the assumption that God does not exist because his physical presence is absent. In this thought-provoking talk, Roopesh discusses what bothers him most about people who still don’t realize the truth about God and how the belief in God can perhaps help improve our lives.
Fifteen-year old Roopesh is originally from Madurai, India, but currently lives in Bangkok, Thailand. All his life he has had goals and those goals were what inspired him to work harder to achieve them, especially in sports. However, being in Religion classes since he was seven years old, he soon realized that there may just be more to life.
Methira (Meg) Saksiriwatekul
"The Lens We Possess"
Has a topic discussed in class ever fascinated you to the point where you went home and meditated about it? Well, that’s exactly what happened to Meg. It started with a simple discussion of Tape Measure by Nadine Gordimer in English class. From that, Meg learned a new concept that changed her view of the world. In this mind-widening TEDx talk, she explores the idea that with the lens each individual possesses there is application not only in literature, but also life.
A westernized Asian child, born and raised in Bangkok, Meg is a proud food enthusiast who believes that culture is best experienced through taste. Apart from her love of eating, she actively engages in various activities ranging from academics to sports to community service. This creates a very lively high school experience, and she is relishing every moment of it. Several of Meg’s favorite pastimes are watching movies with her family and reading books. Whether it’s eating, reading, or watching a film, Meg loves to explore the world in its many different forms.
Manaka Saito
"Dance creates happiness♡"
Although I am just an amateur and not the best dancer of the school, I wanted to talk about my passion for a different type of dance more uncommon in Asia. I will show some moves during the talk, but will also talk about my experience with dancing and what "dance" is to me.
I'm Japanese but have been living in Thailand for more than 10 years. I started dancing when I was in grade two. I learned hiphop under the same teacher for more than five years and he's the one who helped me get to this level. I can breakdance and do some gymnastic moves too because I learned that when I was young. I've learned many different things related to dancing that make me what I am today.
Hannah Faith Diopenes
"The Hollywood Principle"
Given the opportunity in one of her high school classes to explore her passions, Hannah Diopenes was excited to give her own TED-like presentation. Thinking hard about the right idea, she decided to combine the general topic of passions for what you do and the pursuit of a career after high-school. Here, she explains the “Hollywood Principle” and outlines how to follow a the path to a passion-based career, encouraging teens to take the lead in their lives.
Hannah Diopenes is a 15 year old girl from the Philippines, but born and raised in Thailand. With a love of reading, playing video games, surfing the internet, and laughing until her cheeks hurt, she lives near Bangkok and is a student at Ruamrudee International School.
Peeranat (ToTo) Tokaeo
"3D Print a New World (or When Can the 3D Print a Shoe?)"
Fifteen-year old Peeranat Tokaeo already realises how one innovative technology can change the world in which we live. In this informative and deadpan hilarious TED talk, he explains how 3D printing technologies have the potential to become a way to literally create our individualized future and to end his personal suffering.
ToTo likes learning about the new things that are happening around the world, and if possible, sharing the knowledge with other people. New technologies have always fascinated him in terms of their effects on global society. He would like to take this opportunity to showcase one of the most influential pieces of technology in this generation that may also save his toes from further pain.
Name: Ravipa (Amp) Burapachaisri
"A is for Asian, or is it?"
Son: “Dad, I want to be actor.”
Dad: “You mispronounced it! It’s ‘doctor’ “.
In an era of competitive college admissions, it seems like more and more Asians are gaining admissions into the world’s top universities. But is this really true? Is the notion that only Asians get straight-A’s true? In this hilarious, thought-provoking talk, Amp delves inside the “straight-A’s conviction” and debunks it.
Amp Burapachaisri is a 15-year-old devotee of Chinese history and culture. She spends much of her time reading about contemporary China, with a special emphasis on the Chinese Revolution. When she isn’t reading, she can either be found doing quizzes on Buzzfeed or binge watching VICE documentaries.
Kanapol (Pung-pond) Glinpu
"Chance is Limited-Edition"
When Pung-pond is recommended by his teachers for an event, he uses his life experience and passion about technology to talk about solving one of the world’s major problems. And in it, he will give insight, and even determination and hope to everyone to solve their own problems.
A young one who is talented in sciences and art, Pung-pond is a casual kid who just messes around and plays games with his friends. Pung-pond has been recommended for multiple events by multiple teachers, and enjoys a casual, and sometimes serious life.
Pitch (Pit) Sitthitrai
"Video gaming as a full time career"
At age 16, Pit Sitthitrai sees the opportunity for procrastinators all around the world to seize the opportunity to make a living from their very own home. Pit’s TEDx talk will explore how playing games has turned into a full time job for many and the future of gaming being a included as part of formal educational systems.
Spawned into the world in 1998, Pit has been an active gamer since he was four years old.. Specialising in FPS and RTS games, he has taken down multiple kinds of foes in the past. While off duty, Pit is an avid otaku who spends most weekends watching anime and reading manga. He often describes himself as an introvert who tends to have random wild thoughts with no real goal. Timid yet curious, Pit is ready to face many new experiences of the online world.
Supavee (Sandy) Kanjanakuha
“What should I do next,” Destiny?
“ Everything happens for a reason,” said Marilyn Monroe--an idea that many believe only exists in fairy tales. Pulling from a decade and a half of life, Sandy uses her experiences to put forth an answer to the question that has an elusive answer: Does destiny exist? In this inspiring talk, Sandy answers the question with a twist, sure to give the audience a big smile at the end.
Sandy Kanjanakuha is a 16 year old girl who grew up in a family full of firm believers in the idea of destiny. Since she was young, she was taught that destiny really does exist. However, after some different experiences of her own in life, she starts to question the firmness of this belief.
Kendo Demonstration
Pao-Pao, Pao, and Kan
Kendo, "the way of the sword", is a form of sport similar to sword fighting. Kendo is used to confront competitors using "shinai" to perform a clean cut while having full control over body and emotions. The practice has roots in both ancient China and Japan, where Samurai would practice kendo, connecting it to their spiritual training. Modern Kendo uses bamboo swords or "shinais" and protective equipment, and is internationally popular.
Panpailin (Ploy) Jantarasombat
"What About the Elephant in the Room?"
From poverty to terrorism, the world is constantly in turmoil. In this thought-provoking, controversial talk, Ploy sheds light on issues most would rather ignore.
A fifteen-year-old voracious reader and avid writer, Ploy Jantarasombat seeks to make a difference in a world ravaged by ignorance and selfishness. Her experiences living in third-world countries such as Nigeria and Pakistan as well as first-world countries like the Netherlands shaped her passionate view on the politics that control the masses. Now in Bangkok, Thailand, she brings her insights to the stage.
Alangkan Plangsastra
"Have Faith in Cartoons"
Described as a brainwashing form of media, cartoons have sometimes gotten negative reactions from the public. Are cartoons really that damaging? Alangkan does not think so. In this unique TEDx talk, he shares his personal experience with cartoons, emphasizing how we could think differently about the animations that deliver essential lessons that need to be learned by all human.
Alangkan was born in Bangkok, Thailand, but soon moved to Vietnam and later Indonesia. He has been watching cartoons since his childhood and has carried this nostalgia into his teenage life. He loves the creativeness in each animation and is inspired by the ideas within them. Being a sophomore in high school, he now juggles school work; when he has free time he enjoys playing the violin, jogging, listening to anime soundtracks, and of course, watching cartoons.
Naman Kedia
"Third Culture Kids: Future Citizens"
Naman Kedia, being a third culture kid himself, believes that TCKs develop skills that are vital to solve upcoming world issues. He steps up to share his story and illustrates that the benefits of being a third culture kid completely outweigh its disadvantages of moving from place to place.
Naman was born in India but spent his childhood in Thailand, moving to Egypt for four of his teenage years. Presently, he’s back in Thailand studying and reflecting on how easy it was to fit into life in Egypt since many of his peers were welcoming and open-minded third culture kids (TCKs) themselves. They had intriguing stories to tell about their backgrounds and the places they had lived and visited, just like him.