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Thailand Through My Eyes

My Thailand photography journey began, essentially, at the same time as my larger travel photography journey: Thailand is where I became a photographer.

Below, after explaining this story in a bit more detail, I’ll list off some beautiful places in Thailand where you can perfect your own craft. Next, I’ll show you some examples of my work, which I hope will inspire yours.

Considering buying a camera in Thailand? I’ll give you the pros and cons of doing that, before finishing with tips on how you can plan the ultimate photography trip to Thailand.

Need help planning your trip to Thailand? Commission a custom Thailand itinerary!

My Thailand Photography Story

My Thailand photography story begins on the island of Koh Maak, in the Trat archipelago. It was two days before my 25th birthday, in February 2010, and my Sony point-and-shoot malfunctioned for what would be the last time. If I wanted my celebration to go as planned—turning 25 at Angkor Wat in Cambodia—I’d need to take a detour to Bangkok and make good on my years-long promise of buying myself a DSLR.

Riding into Bangkok, on the back of a motorbike as neon signs were lighting up all around me, was the beginning of so many things. It was the first step of turning my photography hobby into a career, yes, but it was also the first day of my decade-long love affair with Thailand. It was that early evening when the seeds of my mid-2012 move to Bangkok were planted, itself the root of my present (and, I suppose, permanent) enchantment with the Kingdom.

My Favorite Photography Destinations in Thailand

Bangkok’s Thonburi District

Although some of the most beautiful places in Bangkok are obvious, many are not. One of my favorite places for photography in Thailand’s capital is the “space temple” of Wat Pak Nam in Thonburi, i.e. the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. My favorite view of Bangkok, meanwhile, is from the rooftop of the parking garage of Siriraj Hospital, also on the Thonburi side of the river.

The Golden Triangle

Another place I’ve found very stimulating for Thailand photography is the Golden Triangle near Chiang Rai. This not only includes the Saam Liam Trong Kham monument itself, but towns like Mae Sai (which sits on the border with Myanmar, and whose aesthetic reflects Burmese cultural) and Chiang Saen, from which you can see Laos across the Mekong River—you can also feel it in the streets.

Railay Beach, Krabi

When it comes to the best beaches in Thailand, there’s a fine line between iconic and cliché. Krabi province’s Railay Beach, in my opinion, sits on the tolerable side of this line. It’s crowded, to be sure, but no quantity of tourists can make me marvel less at the limestone karsts that tower over this incredible beach, or the long rows of longtail boats that float in its waters early every morning.

Sukhothai Historical Park

The ancient city of Ayutthaya, near Bangkok, is a popular Thailand photography destination. However, it’s also crowded (both with day-tripped from the capital, as well as Chinese bus tourists) and re-constructed after the 2011 floods in a way I’d almost consider offensive. Instead, continue north (if you travel by train) to Phitsanulok, gateway to the incredible Sukhothai Historical Park, the site of Thailand’s first capital.

Red Lotus Sea

I know that not everyone can travel to Thailand at any time they choose, so I’ve tried to recommend spots that are pretty evergreen. If you’re able to take a trip in late January or early February, however, you absolutely must fly to Udon Thani. 30 minutes away is Talee Bua Daeng, aka the Red Lotus Sea. Filled with countless pink lotuses, and especially beautiful in the morning, this is not only a highlight of Isaan, but indeed the whole of Thailand.

My Favorite Thailand Photography

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Should You Buy a Camera in Thailand?

Electronics shopping in Thailand can be a mixed bag. The first reason for this is the most obvious: Many goods in Thailand, including cameras and lenses, are fake. While “official” outlets of brand like Nikon and Canon have popped up in the Kingdom in recent years, the downside of these places is that shopping in them usually removes any discount you’d get at, say, MBK Center.

On the other hand, if you’re passionate about improving your Thailand photography and you already happen to be in the Kingdom, it would be a waste to wait until you go home (and, presumably, come back again) for a renewed opportunity. If you do plan to buy a camera in Thailand, make sure your product has an international warranty, and to purchase it with a credit card (so you can dispute the transaction if you get scammed!).

Plan Your Thailand Photography Trip

My list of where to go in Thailand photography, as displayed above, is neither exhaustive nor comprehensive. That’s because reality is complex and doesn’t fit into 1,000 words. The best places in Thailand for photographers to travel depends as much on destinations and experiences on offer within the Kingdom as it does that person’s individual preferences and photographic interests.

The solution? Hire me to plan a custom Thailand itinerary, which will include specific recommendations for where to go (and when!) for the ultimate shots!

The Bottom Line

Whether your Thailand photography is robust and simply needs touching up, or you’re starting from close to scratch, you’re in the right place. My story of photographing Thailand (and the photos I’ve taken in the Kingdom) will inspire you; I’ve backed this up with hard-and-fast facts that will empower you to take action. Thailand, as I’m fond of saying, is far more than a pretty face. No matter how beautiful your pictures of Thailand end up being in the end, know this one thing: They are so much more than travel mementos.

 

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