bangkok indy test: crossing borders in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and the Philippines

Indy Test is based on the praxis of development communications, the unrelenting awareness and consciousness of the problems provides the model for our daily practice. It emerged as a response to the social realities of developing nations. For the most part, despite the broken promises of development, these problems could be addressed by tracing it to root causes by means of documentation in different forms and manners. Thestudy started as a field study in the small island of Marinduque, in the Southern Tagalog Region of the Philippines. From November 2009 to March 2010, the researchers tried to conduct a field study using ethnography, visual methods, focus-group discussion, in-depth interview and other qualitative methods. The study was initially about the different models of development in the island province at the very heart of the Philippines and documenting it with cross-disciplinary manner by means of Independent Media Center. But the result was a heterogenous appropriation of the study of Philippine culture, society and thinking in the 6 towns and 18 selected communities of Marinduque.

Bangkok, Thailand is the beating heart and nerve center of South-east Asia, it is also the gateway to Indochina. From Bangkok, a mere 4 hour bus ride to Aranyapathet takes you to the boder of Cambodia. Walking about 50 meters using the friendship bridge, you could leave Thailand and go to Poipet, Cambodia. From Bangkok, a 10-12 hours bus ride to Chiang Khong, you could reach the edge of Mekong river and on the other side, Huay Xai, Laos. Less than 15 minutes, riding a boat you could cross the great Mekong river to get to the People's Democratic republic of Laos.

The proponent tried to appropriate his experience in the small island province of Marinduque to assimilate the idea of crossing borders in the Philippines to that of border crossing in Thailand. The experience of going to other places in the Philippines is an opportunity for exchange and understanding. From Marinduque, going to Legazpi, Manila, Cebu, Dumaguete and Davao is obviously not the same going from Thailand to Laos or Cambodia. Due to the status of the said countries to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations brings together diverse traditions and knowledge systems and practices. This ethnography translates experience of crossing borders to a nuanced and distinct Asian culture.