Project Leaders
Volunteer at a Primate Rehabilitation Centre in Thailand

Scott Coates - Project Staff

Born and raised in Canada, Scott moved to Thailand in 1999 to set up a cultural adventure travel company with his business partner, Dan (see below). Scott is an avid outdoor enthusiast, he’s willing to try most things once, whether it’s the prospects of an undiscovered mountain trail or a means to bring English language training to rural children. In Thailand Scott’s efforts in pioneering community outreach programs and volunteer tourism projects in education, mentoring orphans and rehabilitating abused gibbon apes have gained recognition both in Asia and North America. In 2004 Scott was awarded Alberta’s ‘Provincial Award Celebrating Excellence’ (PACE), which is awarded to an Albertan who has used their post-secondary education to grow a career while benefiting the global community. With a background in communications and journalism Scott has written freelance articles for publications worldwide, including Penguin’s ‘Time Out Thailand’ travel guide. He’s also been a guest lecturer at colleges/universities on eco-tourism and social entrepreneurship. Scott is working alongside GVI to provide support to all GVI volunteer in Thailand and to ensure that GVI’s Thai projects are always running smoothly.

Daniel Fraser - Project Staff

Also from Canada, Daniel first came to Thailand in 1995 to work on several teaching and consulting projects under the Thai Royal Family. After completing a Commerce degree at Texas A&M University, he returned to his home city, Calgary, Alberta, where he conquered the advertising world before trading in his tie for a life of adventure and moved to Thailand in 1999. In addition to leading people on life-altering adventures throughout the Thai Kingdom, Dan has worked as a TV presenter in Japan, business advisor in Singapore and team-building facilitator for such companies as Nokia, PriceWaterhouseCoopers and IBM. Dan has been a public speaker at eco-tourism conferences, international student-exchange forums and multi-cultural corporate workshops.

Pharanee Deters - Project Staff

The inspirational work of Pharanee Deters has touched many people. Born and raised in Thailand, she completed a Masters in Business Administration after moving to America where she worked and lived for 21 years. It was during this period she met her husband Bill. They retired to Thailand in 1991, building a home and reforesting land in the far throws of Tak province, near the Myanmar border. First they took in one gibbon ape, then two and so on. A quiet retirement turned into a fully blown Gibbon Sanctuary, a refuge for injured/abused/abandoned gibbon apes and other creatures in need. Since the passing away of her husband in 2002, Pharanee has kept up their cause and continues to operate the sanctuary. Her warm smile welcomes people from every walk of life to the sanctuary and into her life. Her efforts with wildlife conservation have garnered her many awards, grants and speaking engagements.

Nok - official manager and caretaker

As the sanctuary’s official manager and caretaker, Nok usually has her hands in every conceivable corner of the operation. With a Bachelor in Political Science and living in bustling Bangkok, she wanted a change of pace and came to the sanctuary in 2002. Nok's gentle but firm nature allows her to keep staff and volunteers functioning effectively while ensuring the gibbons and other animals receive the tender loving care they deserve.