Photo Exhibition “Resilience and Uncertainty: Mekong Migrant Workers Amid the Pandemic Downturn”

On 15-20 December 2020, Mekong Migration Network organised a photo exhibition in collaboration with SEA Junction. The exhibition showcased the images taken by documentary photographer John Hulme, and stories of migrants interviewed by MMN team in Phang Nga, Mae Sot, Ranong, and Chiang Mai. The project attempted to provide  migrants an opportunity to tell their stories in their own words, and bring their challenges and resilience into the limelight.  We also hope that it will serve as a means to illustrate how complex systems, whether in relation to migration policies or social protection policies, can impact migrants’ lives, further initiating a discussion on existing problems and possible solutions.

6:00 AM. A group of migrant workers waiting for a company bus which will take them to the fish can factory, Ranong.
6:00 AM. A group of migrant workers waiting for a company bus which will take them to the fish can factory, Ranong.
The now empty International Immigration building at Ranong seaport.
The now empty International Immigration building at Ranong seaport.
Head Mistress and founder of White School Learning Center in Pob Phra District, Tak Province, who is currently fighting hard for migrant children in agricultural areas to access education. However, a lack of funds and debt accrued for the centre are now threatening the center’s survival.
Head Mistress and founder of White School Learning Center in Pob Phra District, Tak Province, who is currently fighting hard for migrant children in agricultural areas to access education. However, a lack of funds and debt accrued for the centre are now threatening the center’s survival.
Soe Lwin came to Thailand 23 years ago, working on oil palm plantations for 18 years. He and his wife and son will have to extend their work permits soon and it will cost at least 35,000 baht (1,167 USD). He is planning to negotiate with a broker to pay in installments.
Soe Lwin came to Thailand 23 years ago, working on oil palm plantations for 18 years. He and his wife and son will have to extend their work permits soon and it will cost at least 35,000 baht (1,167 USD). He is planning to negotiate with a broker to pay in installments.
Early on the morning of 22 November 2020, Shan people dressed up in traditional outfits and gathered at Wat Pa Pao, which is an important place for Shan migrant workers in Chiang Mai. Krue Soon, from the “Metta Group” committee, said that this event was the result of collective organisation and the gathering of donations, such as money, food, and other supplies, to be distributed to people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. During lockdown, Metta Group raised money, food, and supplies which they distributed to a number of communities both inside and outside of Chiang Mai Province
Early on the morning of 22 November 2020, Shan people dressed up in traditional outfits and gathered at Wat Pa Pao, which is an important place for Shan migrant workers in Chiang Mai. Krue Soon, from the “Metta Group” committee, said that this event was the result of collective organisation and the gathering of donations, such as money, food, and other supplies, to be distributed to people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. During lockdown, Metta Group raised money, food, and supplies which they distributed to a number of communities both inside and outside of Chiang Mai Province
Toe Toe and her husband were both laid off from domestic work and gardening due to the impact from Covid-19 on their employer's business who could no longer hire them, therefore they moved to rent a house for them and their 4 children in Chiang Mai. They don't want their children to be skip schooling, so they are trying their best to earn money, her husband gets work in construction for few days a month and Toe Toe has started to cook Burmese food for selling, she uses Facebook live to get customers.
Toe Toe and her husband were both laid off from domestic work and gardening due to the impact from Covid-19 on their employer's business who could no longer hire them, therefore they moved to rent a house for them and their 4 children in Chiang Mai. They don't want their children to be skip schooling, so they are trying their best to earn money, her husband gets work in construction for few days a month and Toe Toe has started to cook Burmese food for selling, she uses Facebook live to get customers.

The launching event of the exhibition took place on 15 December 2020. Moderated by Pranom Somwong, Photographer John Hulme, Brahm Press, Director, MAP Foundation/MMN, Sai Aung Tun, Community Liaison Officer, Foundation for Education and Development/MMN, Su Myat Hlaing, a migrant worker from Myanmar currently in Thailand, formed a panel and shared their perspectives on migrants’ lives during the pandemic downturn.

The full video of the event can be found on SEA-Junction’s Facebook page

Take a virtual tour of the exhibition and hear from documentary photographer John Hulme below