IN THE PICTURE #03

In ‘In the Picture’ photographers from all over the world share their 10 most favorite pictures of Thailand. See Thailand through the lens and read the story behind those pictures.

Sunsets give a special colour to the archipelagos of Thailand. Rocks that plunge into the sea as if they were stakes, become the audience of the theater whose protagonist, the sun, hides in the west to close the day scene and give way to the night, part of the work in which the sientium is something unknown and the thunderous noise, that together with the points of light of the inhabitants, creates a symphonic atmosphere that will last until the protagonist returns to the stage of the island of PhiPhi. A unique place, for a unique audience, both create the sun-kissed sunset of the Phi Phi Islands, a time that anyone in the world should not miss if they go to Thailand.

Thailand’s hiding places are found along all the islands of Thailand. One of them is located in the Phi Phi Islands, a place where land, sea and air come together to create a anchorage site in which to discover numerous autochthonous species. The Thai ships lie in the hiding place of the PhiPhi waiting for the sun to rise again so they can move and continue to discover and there are new stops to shelter. A special place where peace and tranquility are the elements that make up the symphony.

Hello, please introduce yourself

My name is Gonzalo, I am an architect and photographer living in Madrid, Spain. At the age of 16 I discovered the art of photography. But thanks to my profession as an architect I developed my vision and view on the world. Because of this I can see the beauty of everyday things and I try to use this also with my photography.

The orange color makes the Railay Beach harness one of the best in the world. A place where people, sea and land come together to bid farewell to the most special component of our universe, the sun, from a privileged orientation, the west. Therefore, the beaches of Railay, along with its people and the small crowds of people, define one of the best places to enjoy a small stay.

A Thai boat, crystal clear water, a wonderful beach, natural reefs and the orange color of its sunsets make Koh Lipe the most wonderful island in all of Thailand. As a nature lover of the world, I can confess that Koh Lipe would be one of the most wonderful places I have ever visited. I still have in my mind and in my memories, that magnificent sunset of that February 28 2019.

What is your favorite destination in Thailand?

Koh Lipe. This island in southern Thailand gathers what I love in this life: Beautiful sunsets, magnificent food, wonderful people and unique beaches.

Which place / destination in Thailand is still on your wish list to visit?

Certainly all that non touristic site in northern Thailand. The entire area of the border with Burma due to the cultural and nature mix is one of the places to which I will go next in Thailand.

Which place / destination do you recommend our readers to visit and why?

Definitely Bangkok! It is a large city, diverse and multicultural, in which you can find everything that any intrepid traveler seeks: traditionality and modernity together creating an intrinsec dialogue that only those who are adventurous are able to discover. In this way, those who are willing to discover end up understanding their wonderful culture of service and respect for tradition but from a contemporary point of view.

The islands of Thailand, and especially Koh Rawi in the Tarutao National Park, are flanked by numerous reefs that hide unique species in the world. In addition in Koh Rawi, a mountainous island and flooded with vegetation, inhabits the most special fauna of all Thailand, the monkeys, a unique animal very similar to the human being and for that reason is a good host receiving us just to dock. Again, the orange or Thai color creates a special atmosphere in the archipelago.

Crystalline water is another special component of the Strait of Malacca in Thailand. Thanks to this, you can discover its famous natural reefs, whose corals are in danger of extinction due to the numerous human activity. That is why we have to fight against excessive tourism, anticipating the end of the most beautiful species in the world. No doubt, Koh Rawi Reef is one of the most beautiful reefs I’ve ever seen.

Where do you like to eat?

For me, any street stall on Khao San Road would be perfectly recommendable. The variety, the tradition and the flavors make of the street stalls of this street, in my favorite of Thailand.

Name a nice coffee shop or bar where our readers can drop by

The best for me, was the bar Khao San 1969 bar in Bangkok. The atmosphere of that street and especially that bar is unmatched.

What is your favorite Thai dish?

Pad Thai. I love spices, and if you add noodles to that, it makes pad thai my favorite Thai food.

In this photo, you can see that the orange, brown and greenish blue are the Thai colors. This is what makes this wonderful country special that will never cease to amaze you even though you have traveled it a thousand times. This could be the great discovery I made on my trip to Thailand last February (2019).

Thai longtail boats are another of the wonders of the country. This way of having them anchored, these improvised ports make up a magnificent symphony that gives Koh Lipe a special flavor, an unprecedented place where you will never tire of discovering new points of view. The rocks as a score, and the strings as symphonic notes that move and draw through the boats that anchor to them. A special sound you can find east of the island of Koh Lipe.

What is your favorite accommodation in Thailand?

Here Hostel, Bangkok. The pool, the people, the service and the good atmosphere make this hostel the best I could stay in all of Thailand.

Do you have a (travel) tip that might come in handy in Thailand?

The only and most essential advice is to get carried away, live the experience and, above all, be open to any type of plan, without putting any kind of excuse.

Is there a Thai phrase or word our readers need to learn?

The best line of all. “Chok Dee Krap / Ka”. (Meaning best of luck)

This pool in Railay Beach, I can become the most beautiful shelter I have ever been in life. A hiding place in the middle of the jungle from which you can observe the sea but above all enjoy the sounds produced by the fauna and flora that flank this small hostel. A place to record your whole life.

#10

The fish and the activity derived from this magnificent product, make the fisherman one of the most special professions in Thailand. This image of two fishing boats could be a national image, a symbol that the country can proudly boast of

Where can people find your work / photos?

On Instagram.

What type / brand of camera do you use?

A drone, DJI Mavic Air

Last question, who should we also ask our ‘In the Picture’ feature?

@hola.tailandia. It is a photo account specific to thailand where you can discover new special and hidden locations, out of reach of tourists.