BBDO Bangkok has constantly been advocating and creating projects to uplift individuals with disabilities. After a collaboration with home furnishings retailer, HomePro, for a unique furniture line for the visually impaired and the campaign they pushed for the Special Olympics in Thailand which encourages social inclusion for those differently-abled individuals, the agency has gone all out to ultimately erase the stigma around people with disabilities.
Introducing their next project for this advocacy, Mr. Suthisak Sucharittanonta, Creative Chairman of BBDO Bangkok hosts the launch of the project, “The Fighters”. This project features an exhibition of curated photographs of six individuals with disabilities, who have fought relentlessly for their lives. At the event, photobooks will be available for purchase, along with photographs of all “The Fighters” All the funds raised after expenses will be donated to Thai Disabled Development Foundation (TDDF), led by Mr. Suporntum Mongkolsawadi, Director and Secretary of TDDF. “The Fighters” photo exhibition and photobook will be held from Wednesday 10th to Sunday 14th of July 2019, on the 3rd floor of Central World.
This exhibition features six fighters who can be the inspiration through their positivity to fight through every obstacle that is thrown their way: Mr. Ekachai Wankaew, an armless artist; Mr. Peerach Panayothakul, a young tailor shop owner who has down syndrome; Ms. Buntida Chinnawong, a beauty blogger with no arms; Ms. Nitcharee Peneakchanasak, a college student who lost both legs and working as a “happiness surveyor” at a hospital; Mr. Sumet Thammawong, a blind drummer of the band,“Diamond”; and Ms. Saisunee Jana, a wheelchair fencing athlete in the Thai national team. All of their occupations require great perseverance on a daily basis, and they are ready to tackle their obstacles regardless of their disabilities because they know that they must strive to do their best in order to achieve their ultimate goals.
Mr. Suthisak Sucharittanonta said “With my passion for creative works and photography, I want to use my skills and abilities for the greater good. That’s why I started “The Fighters” project. I want the photographs and stories of these six fighters to inspire the community, so that people are motivated to embrace their lives without having the thought of mental or physical inadequacy become an obstacle. In addition, I hope to remove the negative stigma around people with disabilities, so that they could have equal opportunities as the general public without feeling inferior.”
Mr. Suthisak continued “I wish that the Thai society, especially the government, would focus on supporting skills and career programs for people with disabilities to improve their life. Then they can prove that ‘One cannot choose how to be born, but one can choose to live the life that they want to live’. My team and I would like to thank everybody who has supported “The Fighters,” whether that be Leica Camera Thailand for the photography equipments, Central World Shopping Mall for the venue, Index Creative Village for the setup of the exhibition, and finally, everyone who has been working to spread a positive energy in the society.”
Mr. Suporntum Mongkolsawadi, Director and Secretary of TDDF said, “The Thai Disabled Development Foundation promotes equal opportunities for people with disabilities in Thailand. We work closely with agencies in the public and private sectors to create those opportunities. “The Fighters” project perfectly captures the fighter spirit and the capabilities of people with disabilities. The profits made from this event will be used to improve the long-term well-being of people with disabilities through medical rehabilitation, education, occupation, recreational activities, culture, and society”.
“The Fighters” exhibition will be held on the 3rd floor at Eden Zone of Central World, free of charge, on 10-14 July 2019 from 10:00 am – 10:00 pm. You may also donate by purchasing the photo book and all photographs, which are available all day. For online purchases of photo books, visit The Fighters Project on their FB page or email at thefightsproject18@gmail.com
