Cultural Landmarks - Stories Through a Lens of Chinatown

The photography exhibition "The Show Must Go On" by Samatchaa Abhasuwan presents stories of the Chinese community district through a "Photo Bomb" display format that doesn't disrupt the original character of the location. Part of Bangkok Design Week 2026, the photographs tell a story of visual landscapes and new interpretations through urban perspectives, temples, historic businesses, merchants, and the simple daily lives of people coexisting naturally. The exhibition is displayed on the walls of the Chinese printing press and newspaper "Sing Jong Yien" on Charoen Krung Road 24 - the oldest Chinese newspaper in Thailand, a place that was once the center of words, news, and thoughts for the Chinese community in Bangkok. Samatchaa's photographs do not replace the space but coexist humbly, as if these images have always been there. Traces of time become part of the storytelling through photographs, people's faces, and distinctive architecture. The "Photo Bomb" layout makes viewers feel like they are walking through a blurred historical space, with photographs waiting to be discovered, similar to accidentally seeing something intriguing while walking through old neighborhoods. The photographs prove that history doesn't always need to be preserved in museums or constantly rewritten, but can be repeatedly displayed through the daily lives of people - travelers, merchants, temple caretakers, and multi-generational businesses - each silently performing their role and becoming part of a slowly emerging new identity. Samatchaa Abhasuwan, an independent photographer with over 35 years of experience, specializes in editorial, commercial, cultural storytelling, lifestyle, and travel photography. His work has been published in Thai and international media and displayed in Bangkok's leading creative art festivals. The "The Show Must Go On" photography exhibition will be displayed from January 29 to February 8, 2026, at the Sing Jong Yien Printing Press, 1022-30 Charoen Krung Road, Tarad Noi Sub-district, Samphanthawong District, Bangkok.