Staff

Chanchanit (Chancee) Martorell

Founder & Executive Director

Born in Thailand and raised in Los Angeles, Martorell studied political science and public law at UCLA where she received her B.A. and her M.A. in Urban Planning with a specialization in Urban Regional Development/Third World Development. She also studied Humanities at Chiang Mai University in Northern Thailand in 1988. 

Engaged in social activism for the past 35 years, Martorell is currently the Executive Director of the Thai Community Development Center, a non-profit organization she founded in 1994 in an effort to improve the lives of Thai immigrants through services that promote cultural adjustment and economic self-sufficiency. Her experiences leading to the founding of Thai CDC include work as a planner, as an aide to Congressman Mel Levine and work with other local and state legislative offices. She also created and taught the first Thai American Experience course offered as part of UCLA’s Asian-American Studies curriculum in 1992. 

During Thailand’s military coup of 1992, she mobilized the Thai community in Southern California to protest the atrocities committed by the military junta against civilian demonstrators in Bangkok, demanding a peaceful return to democracy for Thailand and its people. After the Los Angeles Civil Unrest in 1992, she co-authored the Mid-City Plan for the Coalition of Neighborhood Developers which sought to address the lack of economic resources in an inner city area of Los Angeles. The pivotal event also led her to documenting the demographics and social and human service needs of Thais in Los Angeles for the first time in a landmark community needs assessment study as a way to advocate for more resources in underserved communities. 

She has written on the topics of ethnic competency, the Thai immigrant community, Asian poverty, community economic development, urban revitalization strategies, human trafficking, and global capitalism. 

She is known most notably for her work on over a half dozen major human rights cases involving over 2,000 Thai victims of human trafficking who were discovered working in conditions of slavery in the United States. Her tireless advocacy on behalf of the victims and the success of each case has made her a leading expert and sought after spokesperson on the serious issue of modern-day slavery. She taught a course entitled “Human Trafficking and Modern-day Slavery” at the UCLA Department of World Arts and Cultures. 

Because of her deep commitment to creating positive change, she has also become a leading practitioner in the field of community development engaged in ongoing affordable housing development, small business promotion and neighborhood revitalization projects. Two of the projects undertaken by Thai CDC under Martorell’s leadership include the development of affordable housing through the rehabilitation of one of Hollywood’s historical edifices, the Halifax Apartments, and the development of Palm Village, an affordable senior housing project in Sun Valley. 

In 1999, under her leadership, Thai CDC played a pivotal role in the eight-year long community organizing campaign which raised community consciousness and led to the designation of the first Thai Town in the nation right here in East Hollywood. The designation of Thai Town allowed the community to define itself and its place in history. For Martorell, the designation of Thai Town was the first step of a multi-faceted, economic development strategy to revitalize a depressed section of Hollywood while enriching the City’s cultural and social fiber. 

Dedicated to social and economic justice, she actively serves in a variety of capacities in a number of community/immigrant/labor rights organizations with local, national and global concerns, including the Los Angeles Food Policy Leadership Council, the Los Angeles Promise Zone Leadership Council, the California Community Foundation Council on Immigrant Integration, the Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law, the Labor Community Services Program, and the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs. She is also the co-founder of the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking, the Asian Pacific Islander Small Business Program, the Rotary Club of Thai Town, the National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development, and the Asian Pacific Islander Human Trafficking Task Force. Committed to heightening awareness of Thai arts and culture, she also sits on the board of the Thai Community Arts and Cultural Center and serves as an advisor to the Thai New Year Day’s Songkran Festival Corporation. Formerly a member of the Convention to Eliminate all forms of Discrimination Against Women Task Force, she was part of a campaign that succeeded in the performance of a gender analysis by the City of Los Angeles of its personnel. 

In December 2021, she was the featured speaker at the launching of the Asian Pacific Islander Interest Group of the American Planning Association.

The Pacific Oaks College conferred an Honorary Doctorate in Social Work to her on October 30, 2021 where she was also a commencement speaker before their graduating class.  

She was a Fellow in the UCLA Luskin School of Public Policy in 2020 providing mentoring to graduate students at the school.

She was also a Fellow in the Business Alliance for Local Living Economy between 2016 and 2017. 

In 2012, she received a Special Invitation to the White House on Combating Human Trafficking.

The California State University of Northridge Women and Gender Studies Department presented her with the Phenomenal Women Award on November 3, 2012 where she was also a commencement speaker. 

On June 29, 2012, she was bestowed the Royal Decoration of the Most Admirable Order of the Direkgunabhorn from His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej for her tireless service to the Thai community abroad. 

She also received written honors from Congresswoman Karen Bass that were included in the Congressional record for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May 2012. 

She served on the Union Bank Community Advisory Board for three years between 2008 and 2011 and was chair in her last year. The members help guide the bank in its community reinvestment activities and outreach efforts in low and moderate income communities. 

On September 28, 2005, she was confirmed by the Los Angeles City Council as Commissioner for the Central Area Planning Commission upon being appointed by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and later by Mayor Eric Garcetti. She ended her service as commissioner in 2013 after serving her second term as Vice Chair. 

In 2001, the California Wellness Foundation selected her as a Violence Prevention Initiative Fellow. 

She is also a recipient of a number of awards and honors, including the Rotary Club of Thai Town Community Service Award, KCET/PBS SoCal Local Hero Award, the Museum of Social Justice Social Justice Award, the Thai New Year’s Day Founder Award, UCLA Our Stories, Our Impact Award, Lotus Festival Community Service Award, Artists Against Oppression Award, Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Award presented by Los Angeles Councilmember David Ryu, Asian Pacific American Institute of Congressional Studies Award, Organization of Chinese Americans Award, Thai Association of Southern California Outstanding Service Award, Asian Americans For Equality Dream of Equality Award, Assemblyman Mike Eng Inclusionary Award, Assemblyman Kevin De Leon API Heritage Month Honoree Award, State Senator Curren Price Sheroes Award, Thai Association of Southern California Exemplary Leadership Award, Kasertsart University Alumni Association of USA Advocate Award, KCET Unsung Hero Award, Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics Leadership Award, Asian Pacific Women’s Network Women Warrior Award, Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance Distinguished Service Award, Korean Immigrant Workers’ Advocates Solidarity Award, Asian Business Association Asian American Leadership Award, Los Angeles Women’s Foundation Mentor Award, Los Angeles City Commission on the Status of Women Woman of Courage Award, and a Certificate of Recognition from Assemblyman Luis Caldera for “A Woman Making A Difference in the Heart of Los Angeles.” 

Martorell has been married to her husband, Esteban Martorell since 1994 and has two grown sons. 

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Panida Rzonca

Directing Attorney

Panida Rzonca is Directing Attorney at the Thai Community Development Center where she manages the delivery of comprehensive social and legal services to victims, which includes assistance in reporting trafficking to law enforcement and assisting victims to obtain immigration status, restitution, and ultimately, justice. ​​Her experience includes representing 25 victims of sex trafficking who were called upon to testify in United States v. Michael Morris, et al. and United States v. Sumalee Intarathong, et al. where 36 defendants were found guilty by a federal jury. Additionally, she provides immigration remedies to victims through the T Visa and other means. Panida provided immigration services and referrals to hundreds of victims involved in the Global Horizons Thai agricultural labor trafficking case. She also administered claims for the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission connected with the EEOC v. Global Horizons., et al. amounting to over $12M restored to victims.

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Curtis McElhinney

Public Relations and Marketing Manager

Curtis is Thai CDC’s first Public Relations and Marketing Manager. His role involves marketing, branding and advertising Thai CDC. Curtis graduated with a B.S. in Marketing from the University of Southern California in 1992. After graduation, he started working at Robinson’s May in the  buying offices and advertising production. In 1997, with an overwhelming interest in photography and visual communication, he launched his career in photography and videography. Through his photography, he stumbled upon Thai CDC and its works, while shooting for his project, “City of Angels. Bangkok and Los Angeles.”  Through the course of five years, he volunteered his skills for Thai CDC while becoming acquainted with its operation. In December 2012, he was drafted into the organization to became the Public Relations and Marketing Manager.   Curtis was born in Idaho and in his spare time, he likes to read, cook, do yoga, watch movies and travel.

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Pornlert Pongsamart

Thai Town Marketplace Operations Manager

Pornlert Pongsamart  grew up in Bangkok, Thailand and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Statistics in 1986 and a MBA in 2003 from Ramkhamhaeng University Thailand. He also received the CIPS Level III – Certificate of Purchasing & Supply from the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply in England. He was also a Faculty Member of Blue Ocean Strategy of Blue Ocean Strategy Network INSEAD in France.

He spent twenty years working in the supply chain management of manufacturing companies from overseas such as Thainox Stainless Public Company Limited of France, Golden Foods Siam Ltd. of England, and Ingredion Inc. of Illinois, USA. And the latest company he worked for was Stars Microelectronics PCL of Thailand before he moved to the USA for his permanent residency. His work experience in Thailand also includes managing a food court in the Siam Paragon shopping center and the Chaeng Watthana Government Complex as the part of his family business.

After moving to Los Angeles, he became employed as the Operations Manager of the Thai Town Market Place, a project of Thai CDC.

To stay healthy, he plays badminton every week and he would like to be a swimming instructor in his spare time.

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Phatchara Udomsin

Staff Attorney

Phatchara Udomsin is bilingual in Thai and English. He has a Bachelor of Law from Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand. He also has a Masters of Law and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawaiʻi. Udomsin has worked as an intern for Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. While in law school in the United States, he worked as a Law Clerk for the Hawai’i Immigrant Justice Center where he helped the staff attorney with T-visa (visa for trafficking victims) applications for Thai labor trafficking victims. He is presently working as a Staff Attorney for Thai CDC where he continues to help trafficking victims. He is also a member of the Thai American Bar Association and is barred in the State of California.

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Kobkaew Field (P’Kung)

Office Assistant

Farland Field (Kung) was born in Bangkok, Thailand.  She received her B.A.
in Education from Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University in Thailand.  In 2004,
she emigrated from Thailand to join her husband in the United States.
In 2006, she became aware of Thai CDC through reading a local Thai
newspaper article.  Thai CDC’s work piqued her curiosity, and she decided
to volunteer at the center.  After 8 months of volunteering, she was
hired as Thai CDC’s Office Assistant.  In her spare time, she loves to travel, read books, curate, watch movies, and cook.

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Cathy Taylor

Accountant

Born in Los Angeles and raised in Compton, CA, Cathy has a bachelor’s degree in Financial Accounting from National University in La Jolla, CA.

She has 15 years of accounting experience in corporate, property management and non-profit accounting (i.e., First 5 LA, Step Up On Second, Big Brother, WLCAC, Relief International, LA Universal Preschool, LA Homeless Services Authority). She has also worked with the City of Los Angeles, Public Works and Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office Child Support as a Sr. Clerk Typist and Clerk Typist.

In addition, she is a 21 year retired Air Force Air National Guardswoman who was stationed in San Diego, CA (147^th Combat Communications Squadron). She retired at the rank of E-7, Master Sergeant and was the facility manager of the data communications center which was worldwide deployable.

When she first enlisted, the communications center was using paper tape and transitioned to data cards, cassette tapes, floppy disks, cd’s and now use flash drives.

During the tax season (January – April), she interviews and prepares income taxes for individuals and sole proprietors. She has been an income tax preparer for 16 years.

Her hobbies are bowling, watching sports, listening to jazz and cooking soul food.

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Adul Doheng

Business Counselor

Kevin Vazquez

East Hollywood Certified Farmers’ Market Manager

Kevin Vazquez Cabrera is Thai CDC’s East Hollywood Farmer’s Market Manager, where he oversees the general operations and daily activities of the market. He is a first-generation Mexican American originally from Lancaster, CA, and has spent the majority of his career working in the the real estate and business sector. Kevin originally joined Thai CDC as a CalFresh Enrollment Specialist in 2021 before taking on the Farmer’s Market Manager position. In his free time, Kevin is pursuing a certificate in financial investments. 

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Jason Bautista

Administrator/Community and Civic Engagement Associate

Jason Bautista was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley and studied at the University of California, Los Angeles, earning his B.A. in Political Science and minor in Asian American Studies in 2019. He was also active in queer, Filipino, and Asian student organizations where he found his passion in community organizing and social advocacy work. Jason was introduced to Thai CDC after meeting Chancee at an Asian American Studies service-learning course that paired students with API nonprofits in Los Angeles. 

Shortly after graduating, Jason began his internship at Thai CDC and worked on projects such as the 2020 Census and drafting outreach materials for the COVID Vaccination Clinics. In October 2022, he joined Thai CDC staff as Office Administrator where he coordinates and manages office operations, logistics, and procedures. In December 2022, Jason expanded his role at Thai CDC to become the Community & Civic Engagement Associate. In this capacity, he focuses on systemic changes in policy, with the aim of uplifting the vibrant yet underprivileged and underserved immigrant communities in Los Angeles, drawing on his background in grassroots organizing within the Filipino community.

In his spare time, Jason likes to go cafe-hopping, cooking, and taking long walks throughout the city.

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Parit Kasemsri พริษฐ์เกษมศรี

Small Business Counselor

Parit Kasemsri is a first generation Thai-American from the greater Los Angeles area. Their professional background is in event marketing and social media. Parit graduated from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising with an Associates in Fashion Design and continued their education at California State University, Northridge earning a B.A. in Marketing and minoring in Asian American Studies. During his time at CSUN, Parit was involved in the Asian American Studies Department working as an administrative assistant and student mentor for the Asian American Studies Pathways Project. Through the project, he was able to create events that encouraged students to connect socially and showcase their artistic talents. In his spare time, Parit likes to spend time attending art galleries, cooking and exploring with his friends. 

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Brenda Romero

Research Associte, Thai CDC Center for Health Equity

Brenda Romero Granados was born and raised in South Central LA. She earned her Bachelor degree in Public Health at California State University, Los Angeles. She is a research assistant for the SEA US, HEAR US project, which aims to identify the impact of COVID-19 on Southeast Asians. Brenda has extensive experience in mixed-method research, participant recruitment & retention and data management. She now works with Thai CDC as a Research Associate, where she will work with Thai CDC’s East Hollywood Certified Farmers’ Market and Center for Health Equity to continue the fight against food insecurity.

As a first-generation Salvadorean-American in Los Angeles, Brenda aims to work with the people in her community to provide them with the resources necessary to achieve health equity. In her spare time, Brenda enjoys discovering new music and reading webtoons.

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Napat Maneerit

Palm Village Senior Housing Social Services Coordinator

Born in Thailand and raised in the San Fernando Valley, Napat Maneerit studied at California State University, Northridge, earning his B.A. in Asian American Studies and minoring in Political Science. During his undergraduate years, Napat worked various food service jobs to help support his mother. He was also involved with the Ethnic Studies Education Pathways Project (ESEPP) and the Asian American Studies Pathways Project (AASPP), where he critically analyzed social issues and provided resources to marginalized communities within educational environments. His time at both ESEPP and AASPP encouraged him to be involved in a social justice-centered career and to later pursue a Master’s in Social Work with the goal of helping to make an impact on the Thai American community. Napat enjoys photography, concerts, watching movies, spending time with his cats, and hiking in his spare time. 

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Khemmaporn “Khemm” Poosanapokai

Organizer, Thai Workers Center

Khemm is a mother and worker organizer. She joined Thai CDC as a Thai Workers Center Organizer and performs outreach in the Thai Community. She is a lived experience expert who advocates for the rights of Thai migrant workers and ensures that they have access to social and legal services. Khemmaporn was born and raised in Chon-Buri, Thailand. Before immigrating, she worked at a Bangkok based technology company and graduated from Chonradsaddornumrun School.  Her hobbies include gardening, climbing, hiking, and scuba diving.

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Proud Proudpisut Sang-ou-thai

Project Coordinator

Proud was born and raised in Thailand and graduated from Chulalongkorn University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism.

She interned at the United Nations (UN) and worked for the United Nations High Commissioner of Refugees (UNHCR). 

On a UN Scholarship, she graduated with a master’s degree from the Universidad de la Paz or University of Peace (UPEACE). Her master’s program was in Responsible Management and Sustainable Development. Proud came to the US to pursue her dream and continue her studies in the Performing Arts.

She believes in having a passion and in equality and freedom as declared in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

Proud is a chocolate lover, world traveler, and book lover. Proud is also a firm believer in living life to the fullest.

As all Lord of the Rings fans know, Gandalf once said, “I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay” and “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that has given to us.”  To make each day count, she is going to do it one human connection at a time. 

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Thirapimol “A” Serirangsan

Human Resources Coordinator

Thirapimol was born and raised in Bangkok, Thailand.  She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Chulalongkorn University in Political Science with a minor in Government. She received her Master of Arts degree in Human Resource from Lancaster University in the United Kingdom. She has been working in the area of Human Resource for eight years including for a Thai energy company and a Thai bank providing staffing analysis, performance evaluation, and promotion and talent management, staff recruitment, and implementation of overall HR policy for different business units. She also worked for the international company, Sony Thai, which provided her an opportunity to work in human resource in a multicultural environment. She brings to human resource, empathy, interpersonal skills and an open-minded attitude. During her spare time, she enjoys staying home with her family and cats, watching movies, and cooking.

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Capri Merida

Case Manager

Capri Merida is a first-generation Guatemalan immigrant working at Thai CDC as a bilingual case manager. Their Guatemalan background has allowed for an approach to work which advocates for immigrant justice in the greater Los Angeles area. Being raised in Los Angeles, Capri has been involved in labor organizing as part of the LA County Federation of Labor as well as doing work organizing tenant unions in their local community. Capri’s work has had them bring together communities through food distribution programs as well as worker’s rights advocacy to communities oftentimes overlooked. Capri’s background lies in the arts, having been part of community art center programs as well as having worked setting up community spaces for other artists coming from under-represented backgrounds. 

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Michelle Rivera

Community Planner

Michelle Rivera is a Community Planner at the Thai CDC, where she focuses on the Thai Town Enhancement Plan which involves developing a Community Design Overlay, improving existing public monuments, and contributing to various beautification projects.

Originally from East Salinas, California, Michelle grew up in a family of Driscoll farmworkers. Experiencing the socioeconomic disparities in her community fueled her commitment to anti-poverty initiatives. She earned a B.A. in International Relations from UC Davis, where she was actively involved in political organizing with Students for Justice in Palestine and co-founded the American Association of University Women UCD Chapter.

After graduating, Michelle joined Thai CDC as an AmeriCorps VISTA and later transitioned to a full-time role as Project Manager for the East Hollywood Certified Farmers’ Market. Her experiences there motivated her to pursue a Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning (MURP), with a focus on Design and Development, which she completed at UCLA in 2024. Through the UCLA MURP program, she temporarily lived abroad in Paris, France to study at the Urban School of Sciences Po in late 2023. 

In her free time, Michelle volunteers with her neighborhood council, manages the MacArthur Park Buy Nothing Group, enjoys thrifting, and explores new pop-up markets in LA.

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Allanah Sorianoivera

Grants and Fund Development Coordinator

Allanah Soriano was born in Pampanga, Philippines and is completing her studies at the University of California Los Angeles, studying Sociology and Asian American Studies. As a first-generation Filipino-American, she prioritizes community upliftment and grassroots organization. Previously, she worked as a Teaching Fellow for Teach For America and a Library Assistant at UCLA Young Research Library. Introduced to Thai CDC as an intern during an Asian American Studies service-learning course that paired students with AAPI nonprofits in Los Angeles, she researched labor exploitation in the poultry industry to unionize transnational workers and provide legal referrals for work visas. 

As a Grants and Fund Development Coordinator, Allanah assists in conducting research and following up on grant and funding opportunities, drafting and assembling grant applications, attending weekly grants meetings, and following up with prospective donors. Additionally, Allanah will assist with planning fundraising events and attend staff and committee meetings to report out and participate in meetings with the Executive Director and funders.

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Steven Tran

Community Planner

Steven Tran(he/him) was born and raised in South Sacramento, California. Steven graduated in 2023 with a B.A. in Asian American Studies from UCLA and is currently a graduate student in the Master of Urban and Regional Planning Program at UCLA. Steven credits the collective experiences and passion for social justice and activism of his friends and family for leading him to pursue both fields. After finishing his Master Degree, he plans to combine his background in both Asian American Studies and urban planning to uplift communities as a career. He is excited to be a part of Thai CDC as a young community planner. In his free time, he likes to play and watch sports, learn about different cities, and engage in fashion culture.

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