About Coconuts

Before coming aboard Coconuts as Senior Reporter in Manila, Sam worked with the Philippines’ top publications as a freelance lifestyle and culture writer and editor focusing on food, art and design, while searching for stories beneath its glossy veneer. When not writing, she’s looking for the next hole-in-the-wall to fill her belly, or thrifting vintage finds at an obscure alley.

Nadia heads social media and audience development at Coconuts, wearing many hats to help with the company’s strategy, storytelling and community building across Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Youtube and Tik Tok. With over 10 years of experience in roles spanning all manner of media-related and organizational responsibilities, she’s worked with a diverse range of brands and companies such as Singapore Press Holdings, Netflix, VICE, Universal Music Singapore and Collective Minds Asia. She’s also adept at on-camera hosting, content production, modeling, and advocates for mindful ways of living through her own social platforms. Nadia holds a Bachelor in Communication from Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS).

Chayanit “Milk” Itthipongmaetee is a seven-year veteran of online journalism in Thailand, covering everything from street protests and gender issues to weed, subcultures, and a wrecked liver’s worth of bars. Formerly an intern at Coconuts Bangkok and full-time reporter at Khaosod English, Milk rejoined Coconuts Bangkok in July 2019.

Andra was born in Indonesia, raised in Qatar, and went to university in Canada and Australia. Now he calls Jakarta home for the time being, where he appeared on your screens with Kompas TV before going on to work with Coconuts Media. Andra is now in his sixth year at Coconuts, having started as an Associate Editor for Coconuts Jakarta and, most recently, being promoted to Indonesia Managing Editor in 2019, a role in which he oversees all editorial content from the archipelago nation.

Nicky Tanskul has written for Coconuts, Bangkok Post’s Guru Magazine, and AsiaLive365 on topics ranging from food and tourism to events and entertainment. A graduate of Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Communication Arts and Newcastle University in the UK, Nicky enjoys exploring Thailand’s diverse attractions and cultural experiences, and meeting people from all walks of life.

Todd Ruiz began journalism in late 2001 traveling to the front lines in Afghanistan and worked as a newspaper staff writer in his native Los Angeles. He graduated with honors in Journalism from the University of La Verne and has been following Thai politics and news since first coming to Bangkok in 2000. He’s been living here since 2009 and now runs Coconuts’ editorial ops in Bangkok, Singapore, and Yangon. Todd would love to hear tips on everything from human rights issues and street food to necromancy and underground music.

Carolyn is an Associate Editor in Singapore. Before joining Coconuts, she was freelance writing for media companies specializing in arts and film and handled communications and social media marketing for a mural painting studio in Singapore. To her, a completed painting brings the same amount of joy and satisfaction as completing a written piece of work. Carolyn graduated with honors from the University at Buffalo, New York under Singapore Institute of Management with a BA in Arts and Communications.

Puu brings over two decades of publishing experience to Grove, where he works as Production Manager. He joined Asia City Media Group, the former publisher of BK and Soimilk, in 2009. Before that, he managed production for several fashion magazines, as well as lifestyle magazines like MTV Tracks magazine and Men’s Health Thailand. Since 2000, he has also supervised the creation of many different pocket books for independent Thai publishers. In his spare time, he stays busy with art, design, and crafts projects and sharpens his mind with daily gym and meditation sessions.

Originally a branded content writer BK Magazine before moving on to corporate writing gigs, Porpor rejoined the magazine as a senior writer in 2021, using her strange sense of humor to capture Bangkok’s lifestyle landscape, particularly in food and culture content. Her almost unhealthy social media addition helps her dig for stories.

Dietrich Neu has over 11 years’ experience in publishing, journalism and content creation, including past stints at Burda International and Asia City Media Group. Before taking on the role of managing director at BK and Soimilk, Dietrich was the Thailand business director at Grove: Coconuts Brand Studio.

Tyler Roney is the managing editor with BK Magazine, previously an editor with The Third Pole, China Dialogue, Travelogues, and The World of Chinese. A regular contributor with Foreign Policy and The Diplomat, Tyler’s photography has been featured with the Associated Press and National Geographic.

A Thailand native and former music student who didn’t find her love for writing until she took a job as a nightlife writer with BK Magazine in 2016, which she helped launch the popular B.A.D. (Bangkok After Dark) nightlife awards. She’s back with BK as deputy editor after a stint writing for Vice, Lonely Planet and more.

Rayner is an award winning Lead Editor and Story Producer who has 16 years of experience working on the biggest productions across Asia. His work has been diverse – television commercials and branded content for for DBS, McDonald’s, Shell, Nike and Coca Cola and global reality shows like Asia’s Got Talent, The Amazing Race Asia and Asia’s Next Top Model. He is consistently seeking to bring stories to life and produce exciting, entertaining and highly engaging content.

Sin Ee is a content producer with more than 10 years of experience under her belt. From commercials and broadcast television, to digital and social media content, Sin Ee has dipped her toes in all the waters she had come across. An opportunist who never says no to trying new things and exploring new roles, she also directed and wrote many content pieces that are part of her portfolio. Across the agencies she had worked with, she is adaptable to international markets and different types of clientele. Some notable brands she had produced work for are: P&G (SKII, Head & Shoulders, Oral B), Sephora, and Singapore Tourism Board.

After graduating from the University of Southern California – School of Cinematic Arts, Vim has spent more than 18 years across the world producing content for TV, film and digital platforms. With almost a decade at NBC Universal in development programming, he’s also worked on various projects for Hulu and Netflix. From branded content to feature films, he has a proven track record of success with brands (P&G, Unilever, Apple, Google ), agencies (Ogilvy, OMD, Publicis, Group M) and networks (NBC, DIVA, USA, Bravo). He believes strongly that the best content is created when the Art of Storytelling meets the Science of Data.

Nok is a documentary producer who is passionate about a wide range of storytelling formats. In her 20s, she has already produced 40 documentaries with ThaiPBS channel, requiring 19 trips in 25 months across Asia. She also worked as a freelancer with international media outlets including The Guardian, Financial Times, Stern magazine. At Coconuts TV, she attempts to utilize her multi-skills and interests to create the extraordinary out of the ordinary.

Julianne Greco has been living in Southeast Asia for eight splendid years. Before she took on her current responsibility of handling commercial writing as Senior Brand Editor for Grove, she helped launch Coconuts Bali as the city site’s first managing editor. She graduated from Dickinson College in the US where she was editor-in-chief of the college newspaper.

On top of being the senior designer at Grove: Coconuts Brand Studio, Ump is the founder and creative director of “Art Issue”, which has offered art classes for kids and creative therapy for adults since 2016. Ump’s skills have also graced the covers of magazines like DON’T and HAMBURGER, as well as luxury fashion brands.

Ed is a Google-certified digital marketer with extensive experience in Thailand and globally. He co-founded a digital marketing agency and developed his own mobile games which are now available on Google Play and the App Store. Ed leads and executes the digital marketing strategy at Coconuts. Nuttajuk holds a Bachelor degree in Economics (Hons) from Assumption University.

With over 5 years of project managing experience, Tib has contributed her multitasking skills to lead various projects in media companies both offline and online, from print magazines to booking websites, from working on administration documents to coordinating on-site for fashion shoots. She graduated from the Faculty of Education, majoring in Counseling Psychology and Guidance at Chulalongkorn University Thailand. She likes parties and going to concerts but also enjoys reading and staying inside. But above all, she loves the moment when she can tick all the to-do boxes off her list!

Hafiz started his career in fashion journalism in 2009, working for Designaré, Designaré Homme and Men’s Folio. The lifestyle editor then  joined Singapore Press Holdings’ pioneer content marketing team, Content Lab. As a Specialist Editor (The Straits Times/Business Times, New Paper), he handled multi-platform campaigns for clients such as Audi, Hongkong Land, Parkway Pantai, DBS and Professional Engineers Board Singapore.

Kar Liang is a multidisciplinary producer with a decade of experience in video production, animation and designing graphics content for TV, film and digital media. After graduating from Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in 2008, he started off his career as a Digital Artist in MediaCorp. Having done a fair share of motion graphics, animation, visual effects and art directing in the following years, he has shifted into producing and directing short form content for brands, agencies and studios. He believes that “whatever doesn’t kill you simply makes you… STRANGER.”

Pyae was formerly an editor at Coconuts Yangon before switching over to her current role as Grove’s in-house branded content writer. Outside of writing, her hobbies include baking and giving unsolicited book recommendations. She also teaches creative writing part-time, and currently lives in Yangon with her dogs, Gus and Missy.

Clarissa heads operations and hiring across the Coconuts offices. A multitasker by nature, she has also taken on the role of Production Manager for numerous branded and Coconuts Media original videos, including projects for Discovery, iflix, and Toggle. She has over 10 years’ experience in office administration with a special interest in event planning, marketing, and client liaison. Clarissa holds a BA (Hons) in Arts Management from LASALLE College of the Arts.

Poonsuk “Susie” Glanroengsang takes care of admin for the Coconuts Bangkok office. She has over 10 years’ experience in office administration for many industries including apparel, automobile, and F&B. Susie loves to read in her spare time and makes a habit out of keeping fit.

Manita “Mim” Satra handles admin, finance, and HR for the Coconuts Bangkok office. Before joining Coconuts, she spent some time in the UK before returning to Thailand to work in business solutions and customer service. Mim holds a BA from Silpakorn University, majoring in French. She loves to travel and is somewhat of a make up and beauty guru in her spare time.

Philip joined Coconuts as Tech Lead in 2017. He graduated in 2002 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from Bina Nusantara University in Jakarta, and worked there before moving to Singapore in 2005 where he has been based since. Prior to working at Coconuts, he was with Singapore Press Holdings, building and managing websites across multiple industries, including e-commerce, news, property and the jobs portal. When he is not busy building websites, you can find him at home, building model kits.

Byron is the Founder and CEO of Coconuts Media. He was Executive Producer for Coconuts TV productions for Netflix, Discovery, MTV, iflix, and Mediacorp. Byron has led production of branded content and advertising on Coconuts for brands including Hilton, Mercedes-Benz, Grab, Johnnie Walker, MasterCard, Singapore Tourism Board, Hong Kong Tourism Board, and Singha Beer. Before founding Coconuts Media in Bangkok in 2011, Byron worked as an editor for Hollywood trade magazine Variety; Cambodia’s English language newspaper The Phnom Penh Post, and local city magazine San Francisco. He is a graduate of Georgetown University in Washington, DC.