“Divergent Currents” focuses on the contrasting conservation journeys of Thailand and Myanmar, two nations sharing the eastern Andaman Sea and its precious marine resources. In the Myeik Archipelago, thought as pristine after being veiled from the world for many decades and barely explored, rampant overexploitation and illegal fishing threaten marine biodiversity and the traditional way of life. Meanwhile, the Thai waters that is renowned tourist destinations have endured more than five decades of intensive exploitation, yet recent policy advancements offer hope for recovery where marine life are making comeback. With shared waters and interconnected ecosystems, a transboundary management plan between Myanmar and Thailand becomes crucial for preserving biodiversity and coastal livelihoods in the Andaman Sea, yet the effort is at a standstill due to the political instability in the region.
