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The Making of Chinatown

" My grandfather moved from Chaozhou, China to Bangkok, Thailand some time ago that my father could barely tell when. By the time I was born, my father and his eight siblings were already living their Thai lives. "

 

Knowing little about my family history, I did an online research on Chinese immigration history in Thailand and made art that connected the dots between what I already knew and what I recently found.

Shipment to the Unknown

At a pier in Chaozhou, after the cargo ships unloaded rice imports from Thailand, the ships loaded back Chinese people who were looking to trade goods or start new lives abroad. My grandfather did the latter.

The Making of Chinatown

Freshly off the shore in Bangkok after surviving a month on the ship, my grandfather, who spoke no Thai and knew nobody, went around knocking on doors for shelter.

Fleeing Someone Else's War

Settled in Bangkok, my grandfather made a ship trip back to China to pick up my grandmother. Shortly after my third aunt's birth, the Allies started to drop bombs next to my grandparents' neighborhood to as a threat to the Japanese troops that invaded the city earlier.

Collaborative Coexistence

Thai people and Chinese immigrant families developed close ties. My family celebrates traditions from both cultures. Even though I have lived in Thailand my whole life, I feel close to my roots and appreciate the Chinese elements in me.

Hok Lok Siew

The presence of three sculptures at my house, symbolizing prosperity, status, and longevity, reminds me of my Chinese  connection and the good deeds handed down from traditions.

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