A public mural, "Together we build," has been painted in Bangkok's vibrant Thong Lor neighbourhood to celebrate the social, cultural and economic ties between migrant workers and Thai society.
Located on Soi Thong Lor (Sukhumvit 55) in Vadhana district, the striking four-story mural stands as an affirmation of the invaluable contributions of migrant workers in sustaining key industries in Thailand, such as fishing, seafood processing, construction and domestic work.
The mural was designed and painted by acclaimed Myanmar contemporary artist Chuu Wai, working together with fellow artists Sai Chit Min and Khant Win, and producer Josephine Simone. The project was developed and implemented by SEA Junction, in partnership with the ILO Ship to Shore Rights South-East Asia programme. The mural was made possible with funding from the European Union, complemented by support from other individual and institutional donors.
Through the use of vivid imagery drawn from Thailand's fishing and seafood processing industries, the mural shares the life and work experiences of migrants from Myanmar and Cambodia. Vessels, fish and the sea are prominent features of the mural, transforming the urban wall into a meditation on the interdependence and shared humanity of migrant workers and their coastal communities.
Migrant workers, Thai community members and local civil society organizations participated in all phases of the mural production from design to execution. Before painting began, Chuu Wai and SEA Junction travelled to Samut Sakhon and around Bangkok to gather real life stories during 'co-creation' workshops, giving Myanmar and Cambodian migrant workers and their host communities a voice in shaping the work to ensure it offers an authentic portrayal of their lives.
"The blue economy remains the economic backbone of many coastal communities," said Lars Johansen, ILO Deputy Country Director for Thailand, Cambodia and the Lao People's Democratic Republic. "Thailand has taken major steps to better protect the labour rights of migrant workers in the fishing and seafood processing industries and initiatives like this help to build the public awareness of the important contribution of migrant workers in these sectors."
For SEA Junction, the project is part of a long-standing commitment to migration issues in South-East Asia. "Public art has a unique power to make visible the experiences of migrant workers," said Dr Rosalia Sciortino, the Founder and Director of SEA Junction. "This mural will invite thousands of people in Bangkok to pause for a moment and view migrant workers through a different lens, one that emphasizes their dignity, hard work and shared humanity."
The European Union welcomed the potential of public art to empower migrant workers. "Enabling migrant workers to share their lives and experiences through this public art project is truly inspiring to witness. In day-to-day life, migrant workers don't often have much of an opportunity to really express themselves. This project has provided a very public platform to have their voices heard," said Tom Corrie, Head of Cooperation for the Delegation of the European Union to Thailand.
Although migrant workers still face many challenges in Thailand, the "Together We Build" mural provides a message of hope - standing as a reminder of the deep connections between Thais and migrant workers. "This mural is really about what we hold in common," said Chuu Wai. "We all live on the same planet. The same waters connect our shores. I hope this work reminds people that migrants and Thais are not strangers to each other; we are neighbours, colleagues, friends and family."
