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IN THE PICTURE #40
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!
Every time we see Frederik’s pictures we miss Bangkok! They show the life on the streets of Bangkok but also the high-rise buildings and the delicious food you can get on every street corner. Thank you Frederik for sharing your beautiful photos with us and our readers!
Hello, please introduce yourself.
Hello Thailand Magazine,
Hi, my name is Frederik, I am from Germany. Currently I live with my wife in Bangkok. When I was 20 years old I moved the first time to Bangkok and did a Management Trainee Program in a 5-star hotel called Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok. Ever since I am in love with this city. Even though I used to work 3 years in Koh Samui at the resort called The Coast at Mae Nam Beach and seen many of the other beautiful beaches and nature in Thailand, I would always choose Bangkok as my place to live.
Since I was young I liked to take photos, but when the first Covid-19 Lockdown came to Germany, I bought myself a good camera and used the time to find out how to actually really use a camera, went out and took photos mostly of architecture.
Since me and my wife now are back in Bangkok, I almost go everyday out to take pictures cause this city just offers so many opportunities for this kind of hobby. I love that the life of people happen mostly outside and on the street here. So most of the time I try to catch daily moments with my camera.
wishing you all a great day,
Frederik
#1
I really love cool modern architecture so one of my favorite skyscraper in Bangkok is of course the MahaNakhon. I especially like in my photo how the beautiful blue colour of it stands out even more through the moody dark style of the picture.
#2
Taking photos and eating in Chinatown in particular in one of my favorite hobbies. There is so much going on and it does not really matter how many times you would go there cause who will always find something new. On my photo you can see a sneak peak of all the beautiful lights on Yaowarat Road the main street in Chinatown.
What is your favorite destination in Thailand?
My favorite place in Thailand for sure is Bangkok. It just has so much to offer, you can basically experience everyday something new. Especially for a photographer it can’t get boring. It also has the best variety of food you could imagine. You can have great and super cheap street food or eat in the fanciest Michelin star restaurants. The choice is yours 😉
Which place / destination in Thailand is still on your wish list to visit?
Maybe it sounds a bit boring, but I have never been to Phuket Town in Phuket. It must be super nice with some colorful buildings and architecture. So that’s one place I really want to go in the near future.
#3
This is a photo of a guy who prepared my duck noodle. I love to enjoy good food. The best here in Thailand is that if you eat local you can most of the time see how your food gets prepared.
#4
A Tuk Tuk driver watching some Thai Soap Opera. The missing tourists due to the Covid-19 Pandemic really hurts the Tuk Tuk driver. A Tuk Tuk night ride is such a cool experience, but unfortunately they get used most of the time from Tourists. I recognized already that there are not many around anymore compared to before Covid-19, so I really hope they can get back to normal after the pandemic is over.
Which place / destination do you recommend our readers to visit and why?
Of course, as I said before Bangkok. I think it is a „must” experience for anybody who come to Thailand. The second choice would be Koh Phangan. It used to be famous for the Full Moon Party (before Covid-19) but I absolutely recommend to go there when there is no Full Moon. It’s very quiet, not much traffic, just beautiful. The best thing to do: Rent yourself a scooter in the south of the island and drive the coast up to the north. Just Beautiful!
Where do you like to eat?
One of my favourites called Laab Ubon. It is located just a very short walk from the BTS Skytrain Station Surasak. It serves Isaan Food (Northeast of Thailand).
#5
One of my favourite photos. It was taken in Klong Bang Luang area. We visited a small little art coffeeshop along the khlong (canal) and all of the sudden it started raining like crazy. Everybody moved inside the coffeeshop, except this man who was drawing a picture of the Khlong. He did not care about the rain at all. That was really a beautiful moment.
#6
This Photo was taken in a Bar above the Bangrak night market which is very close to the BTS Skytrain Station Saphan Taksin. They say that the real life in Bangkok start in the evening when the sun is gone and I think in this photo you can see that it is true.
Tip us a nice coffee shop or bar where our readers can drop by.
There are too many! But if I have to choose, I would say Jack’s Bar. It is located directly on the Chao Phraya River opposite of the The Peninsula Bangkok. Means you have a great view and since it is directly at the river, it is always a little bit windy there. It is famous for both Thai and Expats and of course, it has great Thai Food and ice-cold beer. What else could you ask for? 😊
What is your favorite Thai dish?
A whole White Snapper steamed in a chilli-lime sauce (Pla Kapong Neung Manao). Super refreshing, yummy and light. Perfect in this hot weather. As fresher the fish as better it is.
#7
Another Photo of a Lady preparing food for us in Chinatown area. I really like the beautiful bokeh in this picture. It gives me a little bit of a cinematic feeling.
#8
Great view of the Chao Phraya River. Taken from the rooftop of the MahaNakhon Tower. If you want a 360 degree view of Bangkok, then this is the place to be.
What is your favorite accommodation in Thailand?
Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit. Might sound a bit weird, but the lobby of this Hotel has a very specific good kind of “expensive” smell. Since I walked the first time in this lobby my brain must save that smell so now whenever I come to Bangkok I must at least go one time there and walk into the lobby so I feel right away good. Beside this, the Hotel of course is very beautiful, luxury and has a very nice rooftop bar/restaurant (BELGA Rooftop Bar & Brasserie) which is not crowded of tourist like some other rooftop bars in Bangkok but still has an awesome view.
Do you have a (travel) tip that might come in handy in Thailand?
Be patient! Sometimes things don’t working as efficiently as we might know them from Europe. So don’t lose your temper, be patient cause in the end everything is working out somehow.
Is there a Thai phrase or word our readers need to learn?
Aow iik nueng ka / krahp (female / male) = One more please. Good to use in a Bar when you want another beer for example.
#9
Street Fruit Stall in Chinatown area. No better place to get some fresh tropical fruits.
What type / brand of camera do you use?
Currently I am using an Olympus E-M5 mark ii with a 75 mm and a 17 mm lens. I also have a Fujifilm xt-200 which I am using with a 35 mm lens.
Where can our readers find your work / photos?
On Instagram and at https://frederikgmelin.myportfolio.com.
Last question, who should we also ask our ‘In the Picture’ feature?
I don’t really know this person, just follow him on IG but I really like the style and mood of his photography: sad.tropics
#10
I love the moody atmosphere of this photo. Even though it might not is what you see but this guy is actually super friendly and sells one of the best fish soups I ever tried.
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