Teeradon Angkapanompai's 'While We Can Dream' Documents Childhood in Rural Thailand

Teeradon Angkapanompai, a photographer residing in London, delves into the theme of childhood in rural Thailand through his series 'While We Can Dream'. Hailing from Isan, a region plagued by insufficient educational opportunities, he observed how the aspirations of his peers diminished due to systemic barriers. The introductory text by Till Stock emphasizes the media's neglect of the disparity between the dreams of childhood and the harsh economic realities. Angkapanompai’s images evoke the joy of youth, challenging prevailing notions about childhood in northeastern Thailand. His grandmother's home, located near a deserted racetrack, provided a setting for local children’s play. The series embodies Angkapanompai's own lost childhood, marked by familial strife, as he seeks to evoke those feelings while portraying the intimacy and vulnerability of rural Thai life.