Photo exhibition in Mae Sot raises funds for Arakanese IDPs

By Admin 14 Sep 2026

DMG Newsroom

14 September 2026, Mae Sot, Thailand

A photo exhibition titled “Silent Message” opened on Monday in Mae Sot, Thailand, aiming to raise international awareness of the struggles of war-affected civilians in Arakan State and generate aid for displaced populations.

The exhibition opened at 10:00 a.m. on September 14 at the Wattana Village Resort in Mae Sot with a traditional Arakanese drum performance. It remains open to visitors until 5:00 p.m.

“The objective is to present photographs documented by Arakanese photographers and local youths so the international community can understand the realities across Arakan State through their camera lenses. It also aims to shed light on the plight of internally displaced persons who currently lack humanitarian assistance,” event organizer Ko Kaung Kyaw San told DMG.

Ko Kaung Kyaw San added that the opening event featured traditional Arakanese drum performances, poetry recitations, classical verse chanting, and cultural dance performances. Organizers plan to hold similar photo exhibitions showcasing Arakanese issues in Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

Approximately 300 guests attended the exhibition, including political figures, revolutionary activists, journalists, and representatives of international organizations.

“Attendees included people from revolutionary circles alongside representatives from international non-governmental organizations. The exhibition presented events and perspectives from inside Arakan State that are not commonly seen, offering raw visual evidence recorded by local photographers,” said a male attendee.

Proceeds from the sale of photographs will fund emergency humanitarian relief for displaced civilians in remote and underserved areas across Arakan State.

Around 50 documentary photographs captured by approximately 20 Arakanese photographers and young visual chroniclers from across Arakan State are featured in the exhibition.

The photographs capture the daily struggles of internally displaced persons, as well as ongoing administrative developments across the state.

The ongoing military conflict across Arakan State has displaced approximately 600,000 civilians who remain unable to return home, facing severe livelihood hardships and constant risks from military junta airstrikes.