[Exhibition] Heard the Unheard: Remember Tak Bai 2004

The Sasakawa Peace Foundation Peacebuilding Program held the exhibition "Heard the Unheard: Remember Tak Bai 2004" as part of The Deep South Museum and Archives' Initiative project in collaboration with the Silpakorn University in Thailand.

The Deep South Museum and Archives' Initiative is an innovative attempt to provide a sociopolitical public space based on the belief that museums and archives are not only places to enjoy art and culture, but also spaces for democracy, inclusion, and engaging with divergent viewpoints. Although the conflict in the Deep South Thailand has been serious, many people in outside of the Deep South Thailand, including Bangkok, do not even know the conflict exists. In order to resolve the conflict, it is important that the Thai people become aware of its existence and push for its resolution. This project aims to inform people outside of the Deep South region about the conflict through collections, exhibitions, and educational activities, to preserve and restore the memories of the conflict. The project also provides resources to help people confront the culture of impunity, which enables the perpetrators of human rights violations to avoid being brought to justice.

The exhibition was held at the Silpakorn University in Bangkok, Thailand from March 9 to 14, 2023. The exhibition displayed 17 stories accompanied by the Tak Bai Incident [1] victims’ personal belongings left behinds and photographs. Those items were provided by 17 families who supported this project to display the lives, experiences, and memories of their loved ones who were killed, went missing, or were disabled in the incident. In addition, the testimonies from 53 families were presented as a challenge to the state's attitude of injustice, violence, and impunity.

The following side events were also held.

• Screening of the film "18 Years: Memories, Dream and Violence" and discussion with the Director Prempapat Plittapolkranpim and the youth representative from the Deep South Thailand, Munin Yusuf

 

• Discussion by the three women affected by the Tak Bai incident and two women who lost their children due to the current political conflict

 

•  Screening of the film "Tak Bai" and discussion with the Film Director Teerawat Rujenatham

 

• Book launching event of the photobook "Tak Bai 2004: Taste of Memories" featuring the Editor Kusra Mukdavijit and the Field researcher Nikarema Hayeeniloh

 
The exhibition attracted a total of about 400 visitors, most of whom were university students, and was covered by seven news organizations and various media in Thailand. This indicates the high level of interest in this issue, especially among young people. 

The Sasakawa Peace Foundation will continue to make an effort to resolve the conflict in the Deep South Thailand.