Born by the Water, Built for Adventure

About Me : Peerapong Plianpoom (Heart)

I grew up in Kanchanaburi, right next to the Bridge over the River Kwai. Tourism was part of my life from the start. As a kid, I helped my family sell souvenirs to visitors from all over the world. It wasn’t just about selling, it was about sharing our history, our culture, and the beauty of the place I called home.

The river wasn’t just a landmark to me; it was my playground, my teacher, and eventually, my career path. I spent my childhood swimming, exploring, and learning from the water. It taught me respect for nature, the importance of understanding your environment, and the balance between adventure and safety.

That love for the water led me to where I am today. I became a certified instructor in swimming, freediving, paddleboarding, and kayaking, not just to collect qualifications, but to ensure I could teach these skills properly and safely. Every certification represents a commitment to sharing my passion in a way that helps others experience the outdoors with confidence.

Kanchanaburi will always be home, and showing people its beauty is something I take pride in. But what drives me the most is working with young people, especially those who don’t always get the chance to experience outdoor adventure. Teaching kids to push past their fears, build confidence, and connect with nature is what I love doing.

Everything I’ve learned resilience, community, and environmental responsibility, didn’t come from books. It came from experience. From countless hours on the water, from the wisdom of local elders, and from the responsibility of guiding others safely through their own journeys.

Over the years, I’ve built my expertise, led tours, earned certifications, and started businesses. But the real reward isn’t in the titles or achievements. it’s in creating meaningful experiences for others. Whether it’s introducing someone to their first Paddling session or helping a child gain confidence in the water, those moments are what matter.

Giving back is also a big part of what I do. Whether it’s organizing river cleanups, I’m also dedicated to sharing safety protocols within the spearfishing community, ensuring responsibility and most importantly, safety! also teaching kids about conservation, or creating opportunities for yonger children to get outdoors, I believe in taking action to protect the places that shaped me.

Outside of my work, my biggest inspiration is my family. My wife and I have been together for nearly 20 years, and she’s been by my side through it all. Our daughter, Maple, is nine now, and she shares my love for the water. She’s also incredibly creative, she loves art, drawing, and animals. Watching her explore the world reminds me why I do what I do: to create opportunities for the next generation to grow, learn, and experience life beyond their comfort zones.

Looking ahead, I want to continue growing, learning, and sharing my knowledge with others. Success, in anything, comes down to consistency, dedication, and the right mindset. Whether it’s mastering a new skill, building a business, or making an impact in the community, the key is to show up, stay committed, and keep moving forward.

For anyone looking to make their mark, remember every expert starts as a beginner. Passion, effort, and persistence will take you further than talent alone. Start where you are, use what you have, and keep pushing forward.

"Heart and his family made this paddle-boarding trip one of the standout highlights of our whole holiday! Supping under the bridge over the river Kwai was stunning, and the whole river was spectacular. It was super chilled and Heart made sure we had loads of photos and videos to go home with, all taken by his team so you don’t have to worry about taking anything out on the river. An amazing way to spend a couple of hours. Definitely try and make time to do this trip while you’re in this area."

Cat Daimond

★★★★★