BANGKOK, THAILAND // SEA-Junction, in collaboration with Asia Justice and Rights (AJAR), produced an engaging and thought-provoking collection of works by artists from across Southeast Asia titled “Cartooning the ASEAN Way of Non-Interference and Consensus” at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC). The exhibition uses the power of cartoons and comics to spark critical conversations about the role of ASEAN in addressing the region’s pressing issues.
These works were selected from a recent Cartoons and Comics Competition, where participants creatively explored ASEAN’s long standing principles of “Consensus” and “Non-Interference.” While these principles have historically supported unity and respect for national sovereignty, they are increasingly scrutinised as the region faces ongoing human rights crises and transnational challenges.
With a focus on transparency, accountability, and inclusivity, the exhibition aims to inspire a vision of ASEAN that goes beyond diplomatic protocol to genuinely uphold human rights and address the needs of its citizens.
The opening ceremony, held on October 22th, featured notable speakers who provided insights into the complex dynamics of ASEAN and its impact on the region’s people.
“ASEAN has failed to address Myanmar’s crisis,“stated Khin Ohmar, a peace and security advocate from Myanmar who is currently advising the organization Progressive Voice. “I have been engaging with ASEAN since 2004. People often assume I am inside the meetings, speaking with officials. But that’s not the case. ASEAN has kept its doors closed to civil society. It’s a powerful elite club where there’s little room for people like us. We’ve worked tirelessly to get ASEAN to prioritise human rights, especially under Myanmar’s brutal military rule”, voicing frustration over its failure to include concrete protections for human rights.
“When Myanmar’s military, under General Than Shwe, sent ‘representatives’ for human rights and children’s rights, we knew these were not truly representative voices. They could not address the issues facing people on the ground,” Ohmar recounted. Her attempts to engage representatives from Indonesia and Thailand were also stymied. “I even travelled to Jakarta to personally deliver documents to the ASEAN Secretariat, but we were turned away.”
ASEAN, she argued, needs to be more than a “caring and sharing community” in name only. “For years, we were told to be patient. But now, with Myanmar’s military using airstrikes on civilians, over 3,400 lives have been lost in the past three and a half years—children, families, people fleeing bombed villages.”
Khin Ohmar praised ASEAN’s 2021 decision not to invite Myanmar’s military chief, Min Aung Hlaing, to official summits, but insisted it was not enough. “ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus on Myanmar is not being upheld. The first point calls for an end to violence, yet the violence has only intensified. For years, we were told to be patient. Yet, despite the Five-Point Consensus to end violence, the military’s brutal airstrikes continue—killing thousands and displacing countless civilians including children. The international community, including the UN, cannot keep hiding behind ASEAN’s inaction. Myanmar’s people have been advancing the struggle for democracy on their own. It’s time for ASEAN to step up, support the people of Myanmar, and truly contribute to peace and stability in the region.”
Founder of the Ministry of Farang Affairs page, long-time Bangkok based French political cartoonist Stéphane Peray spoke about the growing challenges facing his profession. “I have been a political cartoonist for 30 years, and it’s never been easy,” he said. “Media outlets don’t want controversy; they quickly pull cartoons when readers complain, and we end up losing our jobs. I love this work, but it’s become harder to publish, especially in English-language papers. Even The New York Times stopped running political cartoons.“
He pointed out that cartoons are more than simple expressions of opinion; they encapsulate powerful messages that can critique and provoke. “But now, we’re also seeing a trend where more extreme right-wing cartoonists are gaining visibility—something that was unheard of years ago. Political cartooning is changing, not always for the better.”
Peray noted another disturbing trend in the industry, including the struggles of Myanmar cartoonists forced to flee to Thailand. “In Europe, people are shocked to see cartoonists in Myanmar driven out by pressure from authorities. It shouldn’t be like this.”
He also reflected on his own experiences in France after the 2015 Charlie Hebdo attacks. “That incident changed everything—newspapers became scared to hire cartoonists, fearing the risks. The intimidation worked.” Despite this, Peray expressed optimism for the next generation. “I have been a judge in many competitions, and I am impressed by young artists. They are skilled at delivering clear, powerful messages—something crucial in political cartooning.“
Kelly Twinkle I. Mangi, who received a Special Mention in the Comics Category from the Philippines, spoke on her work as a cartoonist during the Covid-19 pandemic. “During that time, we built connections across regions, discussing humanity, not politics, in my classes at the university. But government restrictions were harsh. Criticise, and you risk jail.”
Inspired by the political climate, Kelly posted her cartoons online, “Filipinos enjoy humour; it helps them connect with deeper issues. Political cartoons are popular here, with clear messages against government actions”.
Kelly also engaged with activist groups to foster regional support. “We started connecting with groups from Thailand and Cambodia, like the ‘Milk Tea Alliance,’ to bring attention to Southeast Asian youth movements for justice.”
Through this display, the exhibition hopes to engage visitors with the theme of regional governance and stimulate conversation on ASEAN’s future. Ultimately, the organizers envision these works inspiring meaningful discussions on building a genuinely “people-centered” ASEAN Community.
Also through the lenses of artists from diverse backgrounds, the exhibition reminds us that art can be both a mirror and a catalyst—reflecting the current state of ASEAN while inspiring steps toward greater unity, understanding, and collective growth.
Read More : https://visualrebellion.org/words/sea-junction-cartoon-exhibition-myanmar-asean
