Chi is from the Karen hill tribe and more specifically from the White Karen group.

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He was born in a tiny village on the banks of the Salawin river that delimits the border between Thailand and Myanmar in Mae Sariang District.

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He went briefly to school before starting to work at 9 years old in his village, in the rice fields, growing vegetables to sell on the market, taking care of the goats, the buffaloes and the elephant of the family who was working at the farm and logging.

Chi used to sleep with the elephant at night in the jungle to keep an eye on him. It's during this time that his love for this majestic animal was born.

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At 12 years old, he left his village for Mae Hong Son District where he started to work at an elephant camp, learning how to become a mahout (elephant caretaker).

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At 13 years old, he moved to Mae Wang National Park where he has been living and working with elephants for more than 25 years.​

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Since 2018, with Chi Jungle Man, he's pursuing his goal to protect the domestic elephants by helping elephant owners to move forward to a more ethical tourism, suppressing the riding and bathing, and giving the elephants more freedom while teaching the visitors about their natural behavior.

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Chi's also involved in supporting the Karen community.