The Jean Makers - Bangkok Through Poster

The story of female garment workers at a jeans factory who decided to rise up in October 1975 to demand higher wages and better welfare, led by ‘Chor Kiang’ and ‘Niyom,’ two female labor leaders from Trok Chan. At the same time, ‘Wanida,’ a female student, and her peers stood shoulder to shoulder with the labor movement. However, the employer’s indifference escalated to the point where the workers decided to occupy the factory and produce ‘Samakkhi Kammakon’ (Workers’ Unity) jeans to fund their movement. As the employers’ growing paranoia clashed with the unwavering resistance of the working class, what would become of the dream of Thai laborers?

‘Because politics has always been a woman’s issue.’ Whether during the flourishing of democracy or in over 40 years of storytelling about the 6 October 1976 Massacre, the presence of women has remained faint in political memory. Even when pro-democracy movements reemerged in 2020, I, as a feminist artist, observed that the space of political art is still not truly inclusive. Thai Protest art tends to prioritize more masculine works in tone of voice. Although many women and LGBTQ+ individuals joined the artistic space during the peak of the protests, especially on Twitter (X), they often could not sustain their work due to a lack of opportunity and support. Political art thus seems to lack the perspective of those with different identities.

How can we build solidarity toward an equitable society if gender politics continue to exclude diverse voices?

*A documentary film about the struggle of female workers at the Hara factory inspired this poster.