CHIANG RAI – The historic Singhaklai House is set to open an illuminating exhibition dedicated to fostering community resilience against recurrent flooding. Titled *Awareness, Acceptance, Adaptation: Working Together to Survive Chiangrai Flooding*, the exhibition will run from October 25 to November 22, 2025, inviting visitors to explore the river’s evolving story through interactive art, data visualizations, and practical tools for survival.
Organized by a coalition of forward-thinking institutions—including the Modchanaphai Foundation, Urban Resilience Chiangrai, the Department of Civil Engineering at Kasetsart University, and the Department of Civil Engineering at Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna Chiang Rai—the event aims to bridge the gap between historical context and modern innovation.
“Floods aren’t just natural events; they’re a call to action for all of us,” said a representative from the Modchanaphai Foundation. “This exhibition transforms data and creativity into accessible narratives, empowering communities to adapt and thrive.”
At its core, the exhibition delves into the Kok River’s transformation from a vital lifeline in the past to a pressing environmental force today. Visitors will navigate through data maps that chronicle the urban evolution of Chiang Rai city alongside the river’s shifting course, highlighting how development has intersected with natural hydrology. Complementing these are detailed flood risk maps, which pinpoint vulnerable zones and underscore the need for proactive measures.
Flood Prevention
Practicality takes center stage with displays of early warning systems designed for everyday use. Highlights include intuitive water level warning symbols, compact household-level flood alert devices, and clearly marked flood warning zones accessible to all residents. For high-risk areas, tailored flood prevention plans outline community-specific strategies, while an array of flood prevention equipment—from barriers to drainage aids—demonstrates affordable, scalable defences.
The scars of recent history are vividly captured in a poignant photography collection from the devastating 2024 flood event, serving as a stark reminder of the human and structural toll. These images, paired with forward-looking urban planning guidelines drawn from Urban Resilience’s Nature-Based Solutions framework, advocate for green infrastructure like permeable landscapes and restored wetlands to harmonize city growth with flood mitigation.
Adding an artistic dimension is the inclusion of flood-themed ceramics by Somluk Pantiboon, Thailand’s newly crowned National Artist of 2025 in the ceramics category. Pantiboon’s evocative works, blending traditional Thai motifs with motifs of swirling waters and resilient forms, elevate the exhibition from informational showcase to cultural dialogue.
“Art has the power to make the abstract tangible,” Pantiboon reflected during a preview. “These pieces invite viewers not just to see the flood, but to feel its rhythm and respond with grace.”
Community Education
Further enriching the narrative are flood map datasets from the “Urban Flood Warning System and Prevention Project in Chiang Rai Province,” a collaborative initiative that integrates real-time monitoring with community education. Experts from the partnering universities will host guided tours and workshops throughout the run, offering hands-on sessions on interpreting risk data and building simple warning prototypes.
As Chiang Rai continues to grapple with climate variability, this exhibition at Singhaklai House—a cultural gem nestled in the city’s heart—positions itself as more than an event; it’s a blueprint for collective endurance. Free and open to the public, it promises to spark conversations that ripple far beyond November 22, urging residents, policymakers, and artists to weave awareness into the fabric of daily life.
For more details or to reserve a spot for workshops, visit the Modchanaphai Foundation’s website or contact Singhaklai House directly. In a region where the Kok River’s whispers can turn to roars, adaptation isn’t optional—it’s the path to survival.
The exhibition is organized to promote understanding of the Kok River’s context, from the past to the present, and to showcase structural self-defence approaches and early warning tools through easily accessible artworks.
The Singhaklai House Exhibition Features:
-Data maps illustrating the transformation of Chiang Rai city and the Kok River.
-Flood risk maps.
-Water level warning symbols.
-Household-level flood warning devices.
-Flood warning zones are visible to everyone.
-Flood prevention plans for each high-risk area.
-Flood Prevention equipment.
-Photographs of the 2024 flood event.
Furthermore, the exhibition includes urban planning guidelines for Chiang Rai focusing on Nature-Based Solutions from Urban Resilience, flood map data from the “Urban Flood Warning System and Prevention Project in Chiang Rai Province,” and flood-related artworks by Somluk Pantiboon, National Artist of 2025 (Ceramics).
Exhibition organized by: Modchanaphai Foundation, Urban Resilience Chiangrai, Department of Civil Engineering, Kasetsart University, Department of Civil Engineering, Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna, Chiang Rai
The exhibition will be held from October 25th to November 22nd, 2025, at Singhaklai House, Modchanapai Foundation.
Open 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, closed every Monday. www.facebook.com/singhaklaihouse, singhaklaihouse@gmail.com
