IN THE PICTURE #17

In ‘In the Picture’ photographers from all over the world share their 10 most beautiful pictures of Thailand. See Thailand through the photographer’s lens, read background stories about the pictures and learn more about the beautiful Thailand! Good to have have a Dutchman in this section again. Dirk we are happy to have you here!

Hello, please introduce yourself.

My name is Dirk Ruijfrok and I live in the beautiful Achterhoek in the Netherlands. In the eighties of the last century I worked for over ten years as a freelance photo journalist for various newspapers and magazines.

For a while I didn’t shoot intensively until I got a new camera set in 2017 and started photographing fanatically again, taking a lot of landscape photos in our beautiful surroundings.

In 2019 our son made a backback trip through Southeast Asia and we spent a week with him in the surroundings of Ao Nang and Koh Phi Phi. Fell in love with Thailand we decided to go back early 2020, but now to Koh Chang, Koh Mak and Koh Kood, that was also a great experience.

The first picture to show how welcome we always feel, especially with Buddha welcoming you when you arrive by ferry on the beautiful island of Koh Kood.

A wonderful sunrise at the Dusita Resort on Koh Kood.

What is your favorite destination in Thailand?

We haven’t been to many places yet, but I really liked Koh Mak. It is small so everything was accessible by bike. There is no large-scale tourism here and it has a number of beautiful and quiet resorts with beautiful views of the surroundings. The nearby Koh Kham is a beautiful snorkel location and can be reached by canoe or boat from the Panan Pier.

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

As an island we would like to go to Koh Lipe, but also the north with Chiang Mai and Pai seems very beautiful to us.

After 1273 steps this is the view at the Tiger Cave Temple in Krabi.

Tonsai Beach (right next to Railay Beach) near the coastal town of Ao Nang is known for rock climbing.

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

The three islands Koh Chang, Koh Mak and Koh Kood are easy to combine. There are regular ferries between the islands and often you will be picked up by the booked accommodation. In Koh Kood transport is centrally arranged and is included in the boat ticket.

Where do you like to eat?

On the pier of Bang Bao on Koh Chang you will find several good restaurants, our favorite: Chill House, Delicious food, friendly service and a beautiful view.

A beautiful lagoon on Koh Phi Phi Leh.

Monkeys can be seen in several places, but that look in the eyes…The picture was taken on the stairs near the Monkey Trail in Ao Nang.

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

The Blue Pearl Bar at the end of the Ao Pra Pier at the Cococape Resort on Koh Mak.

What is your favorite Thai dish?

Massaman Curry with some rice, deliciously spiced.

The fishing village of Ao Yai on Koh Kood is completely on stilts and is known for its good seafood restaurants.

The Ao Pra Pier on Koh Mak with the Blue Pearl Bar of the Cococape Resort at the end.

What is your favorite accommodation in Thailand?

The Dusita Resort on Koh Kood. Quietly situated with beautiful bungalows in a beautifully landscaped and well maintained garden. Friendly welcome and delicious food. Everyone is very helpful, for example when booking tickets and renting scooters (available on site). The pier is very photogenic, from the beach you can see a beautiful sunset. From the pier you can snorkel along the reef.

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

Just go and surrender to Thailand, there is so much to discover, experience and taste.

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

Besides the standard words like hello (sawasdee) and delicious aroy mak maaaaak (very tasty) I can’t think of anything like that, but everyone is very helpful in translating.