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IN THE PICTURE #31
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!
When we asked if she wanted to participate in ‘In the Picture’ she told us that she wasn’t ready yet. Six months later we received a message, “I’ll send you some of my pictures soon”. Well here they are! Aey, THANK YOU and keep doing what you’re doing! But more important keep being who you are, you are very much appreciated and we are glad to feature such a true and sweet person like you in our column, you are doing a great job!
Hello, please introduce yourself.
Sawasee ka dear readers of Thailand Magazine,
My name is “Aey” from Bangkok, Thailand. Professional accountancy is my bread and butter. “Photography is my serious hobby” said my photography teacher 😊.
Creating photo’s can help me tell stories from the inside without words. I jump into another world when I am with my precious cameras 😊. Photography is indeed my real therapy, regardless of the pains I experience. I started photography probably 5 to 6 years ago when I discovered Instagram several beautiful photos on it. I myself started uploading photos on the platform then as well. At that time I thought “if only I could make a few through my eyes one day”. I then started studying how to take photos with the teacher group of snappix_th in late 2019.
Be ordain if possible. If not then love to stay in countryside to farm grain crops and can enjoy making photographs of rural and simple life and share to the world. One dream if I could make, although am not a photographer, is to help taking photographs to raise fund for rural or villages in need or hospitals or any organizations I see they raise fund and really help people in need. At least I could help do something for my society, my country raising me by far.
For your information, I am working at Krung Thai Bank in the Global Markets department where I am involved in trading forex, derivatives, bonds, debentures, equities, commodities, financial advice etc. I am a graduate of Thammasat University in accounting.
My sincere thanks go to Ilonka and Riel who have faith in me and give me support and opportunity to further explore Thailand and capture moments that I can share with all of you here. I also thank my brothers, my two friends and my sister for guiding me and capturing the moments I want.
Let’s enjoy my 12 photos ^^ that I am happy to share with you. More photos are all collected in my Instagram account. Hope you enjoy!
Warm greetings from Thailand,
Punnapassorn Siriratanasak (nickname: Aey)
PS I would like to conclude with these words.
“A true photograph need not be explained, nor can it be contained in words” and “In wisdom gathered over time I have found that every experience is a form of exploration”
– Ansel Adams –
#1
This is the first journey out from Bangkok last year (2020). This traditional Thai Costume boy helped lead me to find out Big Buddha at Wat Nakorn Luang, Ayutthaya province. He didn’t know where He is but he relentlessly walked and walked till we found Him. So impressed in his generosity and effort. Not just the costume he wore but the way he talked to us also traditional Thai sweet sounding way of communication… making me feel we were back in Ayutthaya period where Ayutthaya was Thailand’s capital.
#2
Waking up early in the morning to be exciting to capture the morning feel of Doi Sa-Ngoe, Chiang Rai. My dear younger brother has yet waken up so it’s good time for me to snap the feel of nature across border to Myanmar.
What is your favorite destination in Thailand?
Hard to say favorite destination… as I hardly go around Thailand. I’ve just travelled to a few destinations in Thailand when Ilonka & Riel gave me opportunity to submit 12 photos about Thailand 😊 I prefer mountains than ocean like Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, and Nan. Layer of mountains, fog, misty atmosphere, greenery scenes draw good dynamic. I enjoy hiking.. feeling good to climb up and see scene at the top.. This is quite challenging and need strong determination to complete.
Which place / destination in Thailand is still on your wish list to visit?
As the reply on the question above, I like Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, and Nan. Would love to visit organic farms, nice mountains, rice fields, green lush forests. But all trips are cancelled since the Covid-19 spread in Thailand.
#3
As my brother shared with me in Chiang Rai trip, he said… better chin up and enjoy scenes around you. Not just swipe up and down on your smart phone while you were sitting in the car.. Happiness is a journey not destination. My ex-colleague drove me to White Bridge… On the way to the bridge, we run pass the super big field where cows and farmers were enjoy their life before sunset… Upcountry life is with nature… trees, soil, cows.. buffalos and so on.. My ex-colleague asked if I wanted to go down to get some pics there. I said “yes” 😊. And this is one of shots I really feel the good smell of field and cow…^^
#4
Look beyond the horizontal land, little grass, mountain and sky where the sun is waiving its hand to rest towards the end of the day. Being away from computers to feel fresh air, expose to the sun, let eyes observe the nature… here is Chang Moob, Chiang Rai. It’s not on our plan to visit here. As per what it said… happiness is the journey not the destination. We saw loads of cars and people visited this place. We then follow 😊 very nice scenery indeed.
Which place / destination do you recommend our readers to visit and why?
Of course, this depends on personal preference. If you like cities, then Bangkok and Chiang Mai are recommended. If you like fresh air and sea, then Hua Hin, Prachub Kiri Khan province, Phang Nga / Khao Lak, the Satun province (known from Koh Lipe and Tarutao National Park), the Krabi province (such as Railay and Ao Nang) are nice destinations to visit. If you like trekking through a beautiful angry or fresh mountainous area then visit especially the north like Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Pai and the province of Nan. If you want to visit cultural and historical destinations, Ayutthaya and Sukhothai are nice provinces to visit.
Where do you like to eat?
My favorite restaurant is Little Sunshine Café, a family, nice and cozy restaurant located in Wireless Road. All ingredients are organic. Quite being clean food. The owner is Khun Puay who is one of ten Dietitians in Thailand. She is quite creative. Her menus are unique and deliver fabulous taste. Every single dish is hand and home made by her team. Her food varies from Thai, Chinese, French, Japanese, Korea and many more countries.
She blends and mixes from her creative style. I did make photographs for her special top tables and feel that every single dish provided to her clienteles is cooked with heart and delicate thought with little flowers, sauce, honey and many more. Some of her food are also in my IG as well. Her bakery is also fabulous indeed. I bought quite a number and make photographs first before anyone can get them to their mouth hahaha.. Nobody refuses to wait. Drinks are also nice.. with a fusion mix that she makes.. oh man so delicious.. Must try indeed. Trust me. Find her restaurant on Instagram.
#5
We came to Surat Thani, Thailand during Covid. Monks normally walked to get food offering from villagers closely to one another. They also applied social distancing and wore masks to protect both themselves and villagers. Hardly see this during normal situation 😊. This is Thai morning life at Surat Thani where I walked down the road near our hotel… Precious time for me as two friends were still happy to be on bed ^^
#6
Really enjoy the time in the Khao Sok National Park. Starting on a longtail boat on Cheow Lan Lake in the Surat Thani province leading towards Guilin Viewpoint. Waving hands to greet friends we just met on different boats. Feel fresh from water splash along the way… Can’t really take so many shots as I wish to share but all memories are treasure to my heart.
Tip us a nice coffee shop or bar where our readers can drop by.
By far I love Meloliz the bakery and coffee shop formed by 3 young owners. One of their relatives are allergic to milk, gluten, eggs and many more, owners then create vegan bakery and drinks from various types of ingredients that are gluten free and vegan. Taste of their bakery and drinks are so superb…
Their melty chocs are similar to Royce chocolate from Japan… Lemon tart is so super good. You can take many as you wish with no sugar and low fat bakery ones.. You can still enjoy bakery with no milk and egg and no allergic stuff. My family love this café so much. These local young entrepreneurs manage their café with nice and cozy with minimal atmosphere… Another must try café. There are 3 shops in Bangkok. Their Instagram is meloliz.healthy.
What is your favorite Thai dish?
My preference is on Thai Salad with dressing with no sugar and msg. Another one is soup type especially mushroom Tom Yum.
#7
Nowadays, our clothes are normally made by machines which could help manufacturers could produce tons of clothes and get economic of scales. Clothes made by hand weaving loom are fading away as it takes time and effort with creative mind to build one clothes. I feel this is one of Thai treasures of handmade clothes where we put our heart; thus generating exquisite hand clothes which we are proud off. Thank you to my dear sister, ex-colleague who took me to Wat Ton Kaew (Temple), Lamphun, Thailand
#8
Nature rewards us for the long trail to Doi Pha Tung, Chiang Rai. Waking up at 5.30am with 18 degree Celsius. Freezing for my brother and myself who normally expose to 30 degree up. First time seeing foggy sunrise. No one here as we came in a different way as most people went. My brother noticed that there are footprints. Let’s explore. Almost stop breathing when climbing up… again.. be open minded when you travel and you will enjoy and could experience even more… Thanks so much, Bro.
What is your favorite accommodation in Thailand?
Rest Detail Hotel in Hua Hin (Prachub Kiri Khan province) springs up to be my favorite hotel. The hotel is close to ocean. Can get nice sunset and sunrise anytime. Food are also nice. Staff are very polite and professional. Services are great..
Do you have a (travel) tip that might come in handy in Thailand?
Know what you want. Get some study which period of year that you could enjoy what you need at the places you want. Go to enjoy the local food, night market, and local places and you could feel unique taste, some handmade stuff that you may find anyway else.
Be prepared to places you want to visit earlier than your planned time. Traffic in Thailand, especially in Bangkok and Chiang Mai is not quite good. Traffic can cause you miss some nice scenes or shots you wish to see or enjoy.
Is there a Thai phrase or word our readers need to learn?
- The ending word of sentences for a male to speak to show respectfulness and politeness is “krub” and “ka” for female
- Be considerate – Kreing Jai => this one is quite typical character for Thai people
- Can this be discounted => Lod Ra ka Noi Dai Mai krub or ka … this is normally used when you start to bargain price with local sellers.
- Recommend => Nae Num e.g. Recommend delicious food => Nae Num Ar Harn Aroi Hai Noi Si krub / ka.
- Delicious => Aroi
#9
Some people have no choices to earn a living. This old lady seemed to be so. She was over 70 years old selling chestnuts. Chestnuts’ taste is so great. Her clients were queue up and wait quite a long time as it would take around 20-25mins to be able to get chestnuts ready to eat. She took care end to end processes starting from rinsing chestnuts, getting them dry out, putting into big pot with black sand and using her hand to stir chestnuts while pots are circling and super hot… Another lady who sold fruit next to her helped her to sell chestnuts for free. Be grateful of what you have and you are.
#10
Let’s go home…
Together..
Sun was already set … it’s called it a day. This life of this road just begins. China Town, Bangkok is where super good and yummy street foods are outlay for you to enjoy.. Walk and eat and walk and eat… along the road… You can get yourself up and exercise the next day to burn out what you have eaten. Hahaha.. within 48 hours…. Your fat can be burn out quite good. Let’s come to China Town ^^. This is the last shot I made while I felt disheartened … as didn’t get any pic on that day… I try practicing street photographs. Why… ? it’s really showing candid feeling.. full of emotions, expressions and each shot is unique.. Can’t really have a chance to go back and get it again…
What type / brand of camera do you use?
My main gear for landscape and street photography is a Canon with sigma lens and my main gear for minimal and street photography is a Sony camera.
Where can our readers find your work / photos?
My Instagram: Happy_pun_aey (for clarification haha…. Pun is first syllable of my full name and Aey is my nickname).
Last question, who should we also ask our ‘In the Picture’ feature?
Here are a few great ones!
- Tuei_ps : He is my street teacher photographer
- Chanin_Ong: He is my friend who I enjoy his landscape photos and also one of IG friends who keeps give me inspiration of taking photos
- Pix.4pics: He is a friend of my friend who takes very very nice landscape photos
- Taveepong_street: He is one of famous Thai Street photographers
- Phichaikaewvichit: He is my minimal photographer teacher
- Snackshot_ig: He is one of Snappix_Th teachers who enjoy landscape photos.
- Blowithand: He is my great point of view photographer
- Hasinghaa: He is one my teacher on photography
- Pawaris.arm: he is one my friend through IG account
#11
Most of Thais hold Buddhism. Temples then became places where people gather to make a wish, practice Dhamma, pray respect to Buddha and clear their minds. This temple is called Phra Tad Ha Ri Poon Chai at Lamphun Province, Northern of Thailand. There are bells placing on every statue. We believe that when we ring bells, we would be very famous like the sound of bells that reverberates quite a distance.
#12
Closer to villagers and be able to support elders to earn their living throughout tree tunnels. This village is called Bang Bai Mai Community at Surat Thani, Thailand. Quite a number of local food, fruit and vegetable sold by villagers. Family could spend time together while get multiple economy income distribution 😊.
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