It is widely known that countless Isan people have left their hometowns behind. But take a moment to look around you. How many “Isan migrants” do you know? Perhaps you are one of them yourself. We often see this journey portrayed in news, music, and films as a quest to earn a living in distant lands. But beneath these familiar narratives, how well do we really understand the migration of the Isan people? Have you ever wondered about the real lives of Isan people working not just in Bangkok or industrial zones, but in distant countries like South Korea, Israel, and Finland? What are their origins, where are they ultimately headed, and what truly drives each of their journeys? You can discover these stories through a new experience in the heart of Bangkok. Don’t miss “STUCK IN TRANSIT: Isan Lives in Motion” Exhibition at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC), 5th Floor, from August 19-31, 2025.

STUCK IN TRANSIT: Isan Lives in Motion” is a bilingual Thai-English exhibition. While firmly grounded in research, this is not the kind of dry, academic display you might be accustomed to. Designed specifically for BACC’s contemporary art space, the exhibition blends rich content with an interactive, experience-driven approach. It reveals the thoughts, lives, and aspirations that have fueled the Isan migratory phenomenon for over half a century, a movement that has unfolded within Thai society. These journeys unfold against a backdrop of (un)changing social, economic, and cultural dynamics that have influenced the important decisions of the individuals of each generation.

This exhibition is a collaboration between two key partners. The first is Mahidol University’s Research Institute for Languages and Cultures of Asia (RILCA), a partner institute in the EU-funded AspirE project, which stands for “Asian prospects in (re)migration to/within the EU.” They are joined by Pleiades Bangkok, a private company specializing in creative content production and learning experience design, trusted by leading learning institutions such as Museum Siam, Discovery Museum, and the National Science Museum (NSM). This blend of academic expertise with interactive design creates an exhibition that does more than just inform. “STUCK IN TRANSIT: Isan Lives in Motion” is an invitation to connect and recognize the value of the migrant lives that help build Thai society, even if many remain unseen.

The “STUCK IN TRANSIT: Isan Lives in Motion” exhibition is open to all, free of charge, from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily (closed on Mondays).

For those who wish to explore the topic further, we invite you to a special panel discussion on the exhibition’s theme. The event will feature a distinguished panel of Thai and international academic experts. The panelists include Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sirijit Sunanta (Mahidol University), Hathairat Phaholthap (The Isaan Record), Dr. Simon Bunchuay-Peth (University of Vienna), Dutcharee Kuhatong (Overseas Employment Administration Division, the Ministry of Labour) and Punyawich Sessomboon (Bank of Thailand, Northeastern Region Office). The discussion will be moderated by Dr. Kwanchanok Jaisuekun. This special event will be held on Saturday, August 23, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

The event is free to attend. Please register in advance at https://forms.gle/8xgoATDjmb71ApJ3A, as seats are limited.

For anyone spending time in Bangkok in late August, this is an opportunity to broaden your horizons and gain a deeper understanding of our fellow members of society. We look forward to seeing you at the “STUCK IN TRANSIT: Isan Lives in Motion” exhibition!

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Exhibition Supported by: The AspirE Project: Decision making of aspiring (re)migrants to and within the EU: the case of labour market-leading migrations from Asia
Project Supported by: The European Union (EU)
Organized by: Research Institute for Languages and Cultures of Asia (RILCA), Mahidol University
Created by: Pleiades Bangkok
Academic Curators: Assoc. Prof. Sirijit Sunanta, PhD; Kwanchanok Jaisuekun, PhD; Sura Chandaeng
Exhibition Curator:    Niti Vatiwutipong

For more information, please contact
Mobile 064-956-5856