Parkin Waitayawinyu

Parkin Waitayawinyu is a 17-year-old Junior from Bangkok, Thailand. He is currently based in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, where he met Daniel. They both share a deep interest in political discussions about U.S. affairs and foundational governmental ideas. At school, Parkin participates in a variety of activities, including tennis, track, band, chess club, and Michigan Youth in Government (MYIG), alongside Daniel. Taking AP U.S. History in his junior year cemented his passion for political science and activism. He has frequent conversations with teachers about current affairs, their constitutional precedents, and how they affect the modern world. It was also in his junior year that he collaborated with Daniel to create the Thailand Chapter, which discussed the controversial Kra Canal Project, its potential environmental and geopolitical impact, and future directions.

Outside of school, Parkin plays the clarinet and guitar and loves to exercise by playing tennis, going for runs, and lifting weights with Daniel. His favorite novels include Dune and Crime and Punishment, and he is diving into more philosophical works, such as ones by Camus and Nietzsche.

Parkin is also a political activist in his hometown of Thailand. Having lived in an extremely politically unstable country for most of his life, Parkin has developed a keen passion for the inner workings of governments. In the summer of 2025, he worked on an internship with the People’s Party of Thailand, reviewing the budget of the Thai government’s next fiscal year, while also attending meetings between Thai and Chinese diplomats regarding water contamination issues across the border. From this experience, he witnessed the good of the administration—the righteous efforts towards the betterment of life for the people, such as the pushing of student-loan forgiveness—and areas that need improvement: departmental inefficiencies and exploitation of controversial justifications to expand their budget.

Parkin is honored to be part of the R.A.D. Initiative. He hopes to give a voice to the younger generation and those who promote further awareness of the climate crisis.