Food, art, and storytelling connect Bangkok’s Chinatown with the ocean
Bangkok, Thailand – September 18, ASAI Bangkok Chinatown welcomes a people-centered regional climate event during the first-ever Bangkok Climate Action Week (BKKCAW) together with Love Frankie and the Just Transition Incubator (JUTI), From City to Sea, is a warm, youth-led, community-driven gathering for climate action – blending local culture, food, and youth storytelling into one dynamic week.
The program brings to life the National Geographic Explorer-led ‘Youth Atlas x Youthtopia’ experience, inviting Bangkok audiences to rediscover their bonds with nature through meals, stories, and shared traditions.
The program brings to life the National Geographic Explorer-led ‘Youth Atlas x Youthtopia’ experience, inviting Bangkok audiences to rediscover their bonds with nature through meals, stories, and shared traditions.
From September 28 to October 15, visitors are invited to take climate action by joining an exhibition, dialogues, and workshops co-created by the Youth Atlas x Youthtopia collective of National Geographic Explorers — Issa Barte, Gab Mejia, Tasha Tanjutco, Melati Wijsen and guest facilitator Tonio Flores II.
At the heart of the program is “Pista ng Kapuluan” meaning ‘Archipelago Festival’ is an immersive photo exhibition that brings Bangkok audiences on a journey to the Philippine archipelago through the eyes of Filipino youth from Indigenous and frontline communities. Curated from an archive of more than 30,000 images, the installation features 250 photographs strung together like sails of boats to take visitors on a visual journey to reimagine, remember, and experience the vibrant energy of youth shaping our collective future.
“We are thrilled to support this immersive experience that brings oceans to the heart of Bangkok through youth-led storytelling, food, and sensory connection. Love Frankie believes that social movements and real world action begin with powerful stories, and we are excited to work with the National Geographic led Youth Atlas x Youthtopia team to bring important ocean and climate stories and hands-on workshops to a Bangkok urban audience,” Matt Love, Founder and Director of Love Frankie.
Highlights at ASAI Bangkok Chinatown:
At the heart of the program is “Pista ng Kapuluan” meaning ‘Archipelago Festival’ is an immersive photo exhibition that brings Bangkok audiences on a journey to the Philippine archipelago through the eyes of Filipino youth from Indigenous and frontline communities. Curated from an archive of more than 30,000 images, the installation features 250 photographs strung together like sails of boats to take visitors on a visual journey to reimagine, remember, and experience the vibrant energy of youth shaping our collective future.
“We are thrilled to support this immersive experience that brings oceans to the heart of Bangkok through youth-led storytelling, food, and sensory connection. Love Frankie believes that social movements and real world action begin with powerful stories, and we are excited to work with the National Geographic led Youth Atlas x Youthtopia team to bring important ocean and climate stories and hands-on workshops to a Bangkok urban audience,” Matt Love, Founder and Director of Love Frankie.
Highlights at ASAI Bangkok Chinatown:
- Pista ng Kapuluan ‘Archipelago Festival’ Exhibition (throughout Sept 28 – Oct 15) Adapted for Bangkok from a regional youth-led initiative, the exhibition features over 250 images on cloth and bamboo. Curated by young storytellers from the Philippines, it weaves together mountain, river, and reef landscapes into a striking “ridge-to-reef” journey displayed in ASAI Chinatown’s gallery.
- Table Tapestry Workshop (Sept 23, pre-opening) A closed-door workshop with chefs, community members, and storytellers to co-create a large collective tapestry using eco-printing, stamping, and drawing. The resulting artwork mapping shared food heritage and ingredient memories will be unveiled at the exhibition launch.
- “From City to the Sea Talk Session” (September 29th, starting at 5pm) An intimate conversation on the connections between cities and the sea. Moderated by Puttarat Horwang, the session brings together Dr. Watcharapong Hongjamrassilp, Theerasak Saksritawee, Napat Wesshasartar, Siriporn Sriaram, and the Youth Atlas x Youthtopia National Geographic Explorers. Guests will also experience the debut of the Pista ng Kapuluan Exhibition and the Table Tapestry, while taking part in conversations on heritage, youth leadership, and climate futures.
- A Meal is a Map Workshop (Sept 30, 10:00–13:00) Through a neighborhood market walk and hands-on creative session, participants trace ingredients from source to plate, exploring how memory and heritage are carried in everyday meals. The workshop concludes with a shared meal, transforming food into a living archive of stories.
