Bangkok’s Art Biennale Brings Forgotten Voices to the Forefront
Bangkok Art Biennale (BAB) is keeping the city buzzing with 75 shows across 20 spots—nothing from ancient temples to upscale malls. The theme, Beyond Bliss, nudges us to think about those tucked away in the city’s shadows: migrant workers and sex workers.
Why the City Became the Gallery
The artistic director, Apinan Poshyananda, says: “If we miss these stories, we’re chasing bliss on a hollow stage.” So he flipped the city into a giant venue, hoping everyone dives into the conversations.
Spotlight on Migrants
- There are about 3 million migrants in Thailand according to the International Organisation for Migration.
- Rights groups point to the hidden workforce in construction, fishing, and low‑pay roles where abuse is rampant.
- Art moves beyond numbers by giving them a voice.
Sornchai Phongsa’s bamboo sculpture “Alien Capital”—crafted by illegal migrant workers—highlights how Bangkok thrives on their labor yet they remain unseen and unheard. Poshyananda says the piece “gives them a voice.”
Firoz Mahmud’s photos of Bangladeshi workers, seen through oversized green glasses, hint at dreams of a brighter life abroad.
Sea‑Side of the Sex Industry
Despite the illegality, Bangkok’s sex trade is a tourist magnet, pulling visitors for go‑go bars, “soapy” massages, and beachside escapades. Yet stigma still pulls the rug from their lives.
How Art Challenges the Myth
• Imhathai Suwatthanasilp wraps sex workers’ hair around sewing machine parts in Chiang Mai—mocking the idea that pureively sewing can “rehabilitate” them.
• Chumpon Apisuk curates a 10‑minute video featuring female and transgender sex workers from Chiang Mai describing their aspirations.
- Pueng dreams of a home and grocery shop.
- Apo hopes to own an airline because “it looks good, and people will see me as a smart woman.”
Chumpon says the clip aims to boost confidence and let sex workers voice their pride.
The Numbers
Thailand’s 2014 UN report lists over 123,530 sex workers. The industry fills a huge niche, supporting families while simultaneously being dehumanised.
“The sector fuels tourism and supports families, but we keep stigmatizing and dehumanizing those involved,” Poshyananda reflects. “Perhaps seeing their real lives and dreams will shift our perception.”
