Photo Exhibition GEN-F: Living in Fear amid Ecocide by Sayan Chuenudomsavad
May 5 @ 11:00 am - May 17 @ 7:00 pm
The planet and the well-being of its people face a growing existential threat from environmental destruction caused by unsustainable mining and industrial extraction, deforestation, toxic pollution, and climate-driven devastation. In recognition of the widespread man-made crisis, pressure is mounting to recognize crimes against our planet as ecocide and to demand immediate action and accountability from governments and the private sector.
Southeast Asia is one of the regions experiencing large scale destruction of ecosystems, particularly in Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Mekong region, as evidenced by the high and increasing number of disasters and disease outbreaks. Beyond the effects of a changing climate, such ecocide is also driven by irresponsible corporate practices and ill-conceived mega-development projects and investments, often tolerated if not boosted by ineffective government policies and administrative actions.
The photo exhibition GEN-F: Living in Fear amid Ecocide by documentary photographer Sayan Chuenudomsavad draws on four years of reportage, partly published in the environmental platform Bangkok Tribune, to expose the ecological collapse occurring in Thailand and the surrounding region and its repercussions for local populations, particularly the most vulnerable. Organized by SEA Junction in collaboration with Bangkok Tribune, it runs 5-17 May 2026 on the Curved Wall, 5th Floor, Bangkok Arts and Culture Centre (BACC).
The photos document PM2.5 haze and forest fires in the North and beyond, driven not only by precarious rural livelihoods but also by mono-cropping agriculture backed by agribusiness corporations. Meanwhile, toxic contamination in major rivers like the Mekong and the Salween rivers across the region and extending to the Northeast, involves non-state actors engaged in unregulated mining in Myanmar. Toxic pollution is also present in hazardous waste disposal cases linked to defectively operating processing plants. The damming of the mainstream Mekong River for electricity trade, despite relentless calls from local residents, is devastating fisheries and livelihoods. At sea, precious species such as Bryde’s Whale are increasingly disturbed and killed by traffic on ever-busier shipping lanes. Disasters are also on the rise, with storms, floods and earthquakes—compounded by inadequate infrastructures and building and improper disaster response—causing loss of life and livelihoods, displacement, and damage.
The exhibition captures what it means to live, adapt, and endure in a world shaped by ecocide and to belong to a generation defined not by age, but by a shared fear for our planet and ourselves, as the title suggests. In doing so, it hopes to serve as a wake-up call for all to recognise the ecocide unfolding in our midst, take action to stop the destruction, champion environmental justice and demand accountability before greater and irreversible damage is done.
Further reflections on these themes will be offered by a panel discussion followed by Q & A held at the launch of the exhibition at 5.30 pm on 5 May 2026 at SEA Junction, Room 407-408, BACC. The panel is organized by SEA-Junction, Bangkok Tribune, the Rivers & Rights Foundation, and Decode.plus.
For more information, please email: info@seajunction.org or phone/wa: +66970024140
NB: The event is free, but we count on donations to sustain our work.
Organizers:
SEA Junction, OUR Venue to Interact on Southeast Asia
SEA Junction aims to foster understanding and appreciation of Southeast Asia in all its socio-cultural dimensions –from arts and lifestyles to economy and development. Conveniently located at Room 408 of the Bangkok Arts and Culture Centre or BACC (across MBK, BTS National Stadium) SEA junction facilitates public access to knowledge resources and exchanges among students, practitioners and Southeast Asia lovers. For more information see www.seajunction.org and join the Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1693055870976440/
Bangkok Tribune
Bangkok Tribune is an Indie and in-depth online news agency to inform and inspire people with scoop-based news reports on environment and development in Thailand and the Mekong region. For more information, see https://bkktribune.com/
