SEAFDEC Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center
On 2 October 2025, SEAFDEC welcomed Ms. Sampan Panjarat as its new Secretary-General and Chief of the Training Department, succeeding Dr. Suttinee Limthammahisorn, whose term concluded on 15 September 2025.
Prior to her appointment at SEAFDEC, Ms. Sampan served as Director of the Fisheries Development Policy and Planning Division, Department of Fisheries (DOF) of Thailand. She also previously held the position of Director of the Fisheries Resources Management and Measures Determination Division, DOF Thailand, and earlier worked in the Overseas Fisheries and Transshipment Control Division, the Fisheries Foreign Affairs Division, and the Andaman Sea Fisheries Research and Development Center.
Ms. Sampan holds a B.Sc. in Aquatic Science from Prince of Songkla University, and an M.Sc. in Natural Resources Management from Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand. She also completed advanced training from the United Nations on the Law of the Sea.
Her nomination by the DOF Thailand was unanimously approved by the SEAFDEC Council. She will serve a two-year term until 30 September 2027. With her extensive experience in fisheries policy and planning, as well as international cooperation, Ms. Sampan is expected to make significant contributions in advancing SEAFDEC’s mission and operations.
