(Left to right) Pana Janviroj, editor of Asia News Network; Chadchart Sittipunt, governor of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration; Korn Dabbaransi, former deputy prime minister and chairman of thai-Chinese Friendship Association; Zhou Li, deputy editor-in-chief of China Daily Group and publisher and editor-in-chief of China Daily Asia Pacific; and Naphat Ratanasakdi, secretary-general of the Royal Photographic Society of Thailand, cut the ribbon to open the “Changing Asia- New Normal” photography exhibition in Bangkok on Nov 16, 2022. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

Apan-Asia photo exhibition in Bangkok themed “Changing Asia — New Normal” showcases what life was like across the region during the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Co-organized by China Daily and the Asia News Network, the exhibition, which opened yesterday, is being held in the CentralWorld shopping mall till Nov 20, coinciding with Bangkok’s hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation 2022 meetings.

“The exhibition is much more than a display of some of the finest works of photography,” said Zhou Li, deputy editor-in-chief of China Daily Group and publisher and editor-in-chief of China Daily Asia Pacific.

Zhou said the exhibition is part of a major campaign highlighting how people in Asia are coping and coming to terms with COVID-19. 

Actively responding to the need to build a shared future for mankind, the exhibition aims to capture the changes Asia has gone through during the COVID-19 pandemic, and encourage people to embrace a new beginning. 

The project initially received more than 1,000 photos from 179 photographers. A total of 78 photos were selected for the exhibition, from 18 countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Palestine, the Philippines, Russia, South Korea, Thailand, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam. The photos record lockdowns, vaccinations, time spent in quarantine and various other lifestyle changes that have arisen during the pandemic.

Korn Dabbaransi, Thailand’s former deputy prime minister and chairman of the Thai-Chinese Friendship Association, and Chadchart Sittipunt, governor of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, delivered keynote addresses during the opening ceremony of the exhibition.

Visitors at the "Changing Asia - New Normal" photography exhibition enthusiastically talk about a photo in Bangkok, Thailand on Nov 16, 2022. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

A visitor reads the China Daily newspaper while visiting the "Changing Asia - New Normal" photography exhibition in Bangkok, Thailand on Nov 16, 2022. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

A visitor reads the details of a photograph at the "Changing Asia - New Normal" photography exhibition in Bangkok, Thailand on Nov 16, 2022. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

The "Changing Asia - New Normal" photography exhibition sees a good number of visitors on the opening day. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

A visitor takes a selfie with ANN’s Pana Janviroj (center) and Governor Chadchart (right). (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

The "Changing Asia - New Normal" photography exhibition features photos from different Asian countries. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

Visitors speak among themsleves at the "Changing Asia - New Normal" photography exhibition in Bangkok, Thailand on Nov 16, 2022. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

Visitors at the "Changing Asia - New Normal" photography exhibition in Bangkok, Thailand on Nov 16, 2022. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

China Daily’s Zhou, Governor Chadchart, and Korn Dabbaransi visit the photo exhibition. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

Governor Chadchart (right) signs his autograph for a fan on the latest issue of China Daily. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

Former Thailand deputy PM Korn Dabbaransi (second from right) speaks to the media. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

ANN’s Pana Janviroj (right) speaks to the audience at the opening ceremony. (SHEILA SHI / CHINA DAILY)