The Show Must Go On
Through the Lens of ‘Samatcha Apaisuwan’ at BKKDW 2026
The Show Must Go On photo exhibition by Samatcha Apaisuwan captures the stories of a Chinese community. Presented in the “Photo Bomb” format for Bangkok Design Week 2026, his works seamlessly blend into the neighborhood’s existing rhythms and offer a visual narrative of landscapes through the fresh interpretation of city corners, temples, long-standing businesses, street vendors, and locals’ simple daily life, all of which coexist in harmony.
Exhibits are set against the walls of the printing house and office of 新中原報 (New Chinese Daily News) on Charoen Krung 24, the oldest Chinese-language newspaper in Thailand. This site was once the very heart of words, news, and ideas for Bangkok’s Chinese community.
Samatcha’s photographs do not take over space. Rather, they humbly blend in, as though they had always belonged there, and show stories through portraits and distinctive architecture. Thanks to the Photo Bomb arrangement, the exhibition gives visitors the feeling of wandering through a blurred historical landscape, where his images await discovery. It is like walking through an old neighborhood and suddenly encountering something that makes us pause, look closer, and reflect.
His photographs stand as a testament that history does not need to be confined to museums or constantly rewritten to create new narratives, because it can be represented time and again through the everyday lives of people—travelers, merchants, shrine caretakers, and family businesses passed down through generations. Each element carries out its role quietly, yet together they form an evolving identity that is steadily taking shape anew.
The Show Must Go On by Samatcha Apaisuwan is not merely a way of seeing the city through the lens. It is an act of quietly dwelling within the city and listening with the heart—not to reminisce about the past, but to affirm that life, the city, and culture are always in motion. The exhibition will be on view from 29 January – 8 February 2026 at the historic New Chinese Daily News Printing House, Charoen Krung 24 (No. 1022–30 Charoen Krung Road, Talat Noi, Samphanthawong District, Bangkok).
About the Artist
Samatcha Apaisuwan – Freelance Photographer
With over 35 years of experience, he is a seasoned editorial and commercial photographer specializing in cultural storytelling, lifestyle, and travel photography. His works have featured in both Thai and international media outlets, including Financial Times, Bangkok Post, The Nation, and Thai PBS World, as well as in many of Bangkok’s leading festivals. Beyond photography, he also plays a role in creative direction, full production, and editorial-level output for global and local clients.
Highlight Exhibitions– At the Heart of Faith (2025)– Connect: India to Siam, Bangkok Design Week (2025)– Myanmar: The Years Before, Mango Art Festival (2025)– Bangkok Reflection, Bangkok Design Week (2024)
Contact:Email: [email protected]: https://samatchaapaisuwan.com/Instagram I Facebook: @samatchaphotoLinkedIn: Samatcha Apaisuwan
