Globally, trade in fish products continues to reach record highs, and developing countries now contribute over half of the value of total exports. Within this expanding world market, Thailand has emerged as a major supplier, with the value of its seafood exports reaching US$6 billion in recent years. A significant contribution to the industry’s growth is given by the migrant labour force. Shortages of Thai workers willing to work on fishing vessels, emerging simultaneously with expanding structural differences in population demographics and economic development between Thailand and its neighbouring countries, have transformed fishing crews to predominantly consist of migrant workers from Cambodia and Myanmar. Several hundred thousand women and men migrant workers are now employed at different levels within the seafood supply chain in Thailand, working precariously under various temporary labour migration regimes and constrained living and work conditions.

Recognizing the contribution of migrant workers to Thailand’s society and the blue economy, the exhibition “Not Just Labor; Migrant Photo Voices from Thailand Fisheries” gives them a platform to showcase their photo voices. Photos taken on their mobile phone by migrants from Cambodia and Myanmar, who are now living in Phuket, Chanthaburi and Phang Nga to work in the fishing and seafood industry, were on display from 14 to 26 May, 11AM to 7PM, at the Curved Wall, 4th floor of BACC.

Photographer: Chawin Chantalikit