An exhibition held in Chiang Mai, Thailand, May 15-16 titled “Unforgettable,” brought together artists, activists, humanitarian workers, and the public to confront the devastating human cost of aerial attacks in neighboring Myanmar. Panel discussions featured frontline aid workers, human rights advocates, and emergency responders with firsthand accounts of the immense challenges of documenting war crimes.
“We created this particular event, a two-day event, so that we could continue talking about what’s happening in Myanmar, especially the topic of airstrikes,” said Hnin, founder of arts collective A New Burma. “Airstrikes are becoming so normal and numb. It’s a topic that people don’t want to bring up because it’s too traumatizing…We still want people to not forget about these airstrikes that are happening daily.”
“Unforgettable” aimed to amplify the voices and experiences of civilians enduring daily airstrikes, displacement, and widespread destruction using photos, art, and meticulous documentation. The exhibit builds upon an earlier collaboration between A New Burma and research group Nyan Lynn Thit Analytica from 2024, but emphasized that the situation across the border has deteriorated significantly over the past two years.
Documenting the devastation
A central focus of “Unforgettable” featured striking black-and-white photography documenting the grim aftermath of military assaults on civilian infrastructure, including schools and villages. Many of the visual works specifically highlighted the resilience and harsh realities of children attempting to survive within Myanmar’s various conflict-affected zones.
Beyond the visual arts, “Unforgettable” served as a critical forum for dialogue. The exhibition also presented grim statistics detailing the scale of the ongoing violence. According to comprehensive data compiled by Nyan Lynn Thit Analytica, the military has increasingly relied on its air superiority as a primary tool of repression against civilian populations.
Between the military coup in February 2021 and March 2026, the military has conducted at least 7,052 airstrikes.
Researchers noted that these attacks frequently targeted non-military zones, including residential neighborhoods, places of worship, healthcare facilities, and educational institutions. The documented human toll of these aerial bombardments stands at a minimum of 4,426 civilian deaths and 7,644 injuries.
By bringing these statistics and stories to the forefront, organizers hope “Unforgettable” will combat international fatigue and ensure the daily realities of Myanmar’s civilians remain in the public consciousness.
