Piyanut “Nute” Kotsan

HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST, FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL THAILAND

Industry : Advocacy

Piyanut Kotsan is a dedicated human rights advocate with over two decades of experience working alongside communities, youth, and civil society across Southeast Asia. From 2016 to 2025, she served as the Executive Director of Amnesty International Thailand, guiding the organization through some of the country's most challenging political periods. Under her leadership, Amnesty was at the forefront of efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, campaign against torture and enforced disappearance, and advocate for refugee rights, while significantly enhancing grassroots and youth participation.

Despite experiencing digital harassment and targeted smear campaigns, Piyanut has consistently championed principled, people-powered movements as key drivers toward a just society. She was instrumental in advocating for the enforcement of Thailand’s anti-torture legislation and elevating the voices of young people and marginalized communities in national conversations.

Following her tenure at Amnesty, which concluded in March 2025, Piyanut remains actively engaged in human rights advocacy as an advisor to the Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network (APRRN). She is also currently running a free children’s library project with her six-year-old daughter, embodying her profound belief in empowering young people as catalysts for positive, rights-based social change.