Asia under new normal

Exhibition captures changes in the region due to COVID, encourages embrace of a new beginning

Apan-Asia photo exhibition in Bangkok themed “Changing Asia — New Normal” showcases what life was like across the region during the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Co-organized by China Daily and the Asia News Network, the exhibition, which opened on Nov 16, is being held in the CentralWorld shopping mall until Nov 20, coinciding with Bangkok’s hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation 2022 meetings.

“The exhibition is much more than a display of some of the finest works of photography,” said Zhou Li, deputy editor-in-chief of China Daily Group and publisher and editor-in-chief of China Daily Asia Pacific.

Zhou said the exhibition is part of a major campaign highlighting how people in Asia are coping and coming to terms with COVID-19.

Actively responding to the need to build a shared future for mankind, the exhibition aims to capture the changes Asia has gone through during the COVID-19 pandemic, and encourage people to embrace a new beginning.

The project initially received more than 1,000 photos from 179 photographers. A total of 78 photos were selected for the exhibition, from 18 countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Palestine, the Philippines, Russia, South Korea, Thailand, Turkiye, the United Arab Emirates and Vietnam. The photos record lockdowns, vaccinations, time spent in quarantine and various other lifestyle changes that have arisen during the pandemic.

Korn Dabbaransi, Thailand’s former deputy prime minister and chairman of the ThaiChinese Friendship Association, and Chadchart Sittipunt, governor of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, delivered keynote addresses during the opening ceremony of the exhibition.

JANICE JIANG / CHINA DAILY Center stage, from left: Pana Janviroj, editor of Asia News Network; Chadchart Sittipunt, governor of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration; Korn Dabbaransi, former deputy prime minister of Thailand and chairman of the Thai-Chinese Friendship Association; Zhou Li, deputy editor-in-chief of China Daily Group and editor-in-chief of China Daily Asia Pacific; and Naphat Ratanasakdi, secretary-general of the Royal Photographic Society of Thailand, at the opening of the “Changing Asia — New Normal” Photography Exhibition.

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Governor Chadchart Sittipunt (right) and Asia News Network Editor Pana Janviroj admire photos during the opening ceremony of the “Changing Asia — New Normal” photography exhibition at CentralWorld in Bangkok on Nov 16.

PHOTOS BY EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY Visitors appreciate the exhibits and exchange ideas at the “Changing Asia — New Normal” Photography Exhibition at CentralWorld in Bangkok on Nov 16.

From left: China Daily’s Zhou, Governor Chadchart, and Korn Dabbaransi visit the photo exhibition.

SHEILA SHI / CHINA DAILY ANN’s Pana Janviroj (right) speaks to the audience at the opening ceremony.

A visitor takes a selfie with ANN’s Pana Janviroj (center) and Governor Chadchart.

Governor Chadchart signs his autograph for a fan on the latest issue of China Daily.

Former Thailand deputy PM Korn Dabbaransi speaks to the media.

A view overlooking the exhibition.