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IN THE PICTURE #66: MARKUS
In this feature called ‘In the Picture‘ we ask great photographers from all over the world to share their 10 most favorite Thailand photos with our readers. See Thailand through the lens of the photographer, read the background stories and learn more about the land of smiles.
We love Markus’ photos because they show the ordinary street life of Bangkok. From street dogs to high-rise buildings and from temples to the people of the city. Nice to follow you Markus and even more nice that you wanted to participate in this feature – Thanks!
Hello Markus, could you please introduce yourself to our readers?
Hi all,
As a German born who made New Zealand home, I was lucky enough to enhance my hotel management career further in Vietnam for a few years, before I got to Thailand in 2019. New Zealand, with its stunning scenery, got me into photography – the trusted Nikon D600 is still with me, but unfortunately rarely in use due to a more spontaneous approach in the streets of Bangkok these days. So, my current attempt on capturing Thailand’s culture, quirks and beauty is mostly on a mobile phone, but still doesn’t lack the excitement of telling a story. Travel restrictions are about to slowly fade out of our daily lives, and some sort of a positive vibe appears everywhere.
Hopefully, domestic travel will be easier soon again, as I miss the southern beaches and exploring reefs, caves and islands taking my scuba diving career to the next level.
Warm greetings from Bangkok,
Markus
#1
Upside down, downside up? An almost perfect mirror of the city in the channel.
#2
The view of an iconic building from the iconic hotel pool at Bangkok Marriott Hotel The Surawongse.
What is your favorite destination in Thailand?
Koh Tao, is the number 1 dive site in the country for me but also the Similan Islands are fantastic for diving.
Koh Phi Phi (without all the tourists it is such a beautiful place actually), other places like Phuket, Koh Samui or Pattaya are great during a pandemic, when there is almost no one, and you actually have some space and can enjoy the peace and quiet.
Other destinations to mention are Khao Sok National Park, where you can stay in a floating hut in the middle of nowhere, breathtaking scenery, great if you have a few more days available and in the real Thailand. Also check out Koh Samet, a few hours drive from Bangkok with very nice beaches and a more local touch.
Chiang Mai can be great if you have never encountered an elephant in its natural habitat, love the retreats they have built for them (elephants not the tourists) with guaranteed no riding or other cruel acts against them!
Which place / destination in Thailand is still on your wish list to visit?
Northern region I would say, haven’t been up there too much, but it’s on the list as well as Koh Yao Yai / Noi and Koh Lanta.
#4
Sanctuary of Truth in Pattaya – Following the steps of the Professor from the ‘Money Heist / La Casa del Papel’.
Which place / destination do you recommend our readers to visit and why?
As above, check out Khao Sok National Park for an amazing trip in a small boat to the guest houses, and guided tour to the caves – Skip Bangkok and spend another day down there, close-ish to Krabi if you need some more entertainment.
If in Bangkok, Talat Noi is the place to go, skip all the boring shopping malls and stuff you find everywhere in the world, also Chinatown for food and a million people on the markets and Sois around that area, Chinatown wakes up after 5pm when all shops open – such a cool place to be for the night, whilst I’d prefer staying in the Sukhumvit/ Silom area to be honest.
Where do you like to eat?
Lean on Tree, Sukhumvit Road, Soi 18, Bangkok – Possibly the best Thai food in town, nice refreshed ambience, super friendly staff and amazing quality food, not like most street vendors.
Saigon Recipe, Sukhumvit Road, Soi 42, Bangkok – Hands down, this is the most authentic Vietnamese restaurant in the city serving the real deal of VN cuisine, before I got to TH I lived in VN for 8 years and MISS the coffee and food a lot =).
Ruen Urai, 118 Thanon Surawong, Bangkok – Sophisticated high quality Thai food, absolutely superb!
Street: 199 Yaowarat Road, Soi 11, Chinatown, left hand side after the fruit stall – you cannot miss it, because chef is throwing flames with his wok every 30seconds, stunning show, amazing food
#5
Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen – Another different part of BKK with many sois and klongs. A different city lifestyle to explore.
#6
Chumphon is a slightly less developed area of the country, but is your base to explore amazing dive spots.
Tip us a nice coffee shop or bar where our readers can drop by.
Dear Cafe, 24/1-2 Soi Krungthonburi 4, Bangkok – Wongwian Yai BTS station, bit out of town for those staying in the area, great selection of house made cakes, good coffee, nice and VERY local area off the beaten track, close-ish to the big Buddha statue (I think another 2 BTS stations)
Mother Roaster, 8 San Chao Rong Kueak, Talat Noi, Bangkok – Awesome coffee shop on level 2, walking through a scrap yard style lower level of an ancient shop house, just getting to the counter is an experience already, the whole Talat Noi area is worth an afternoon’s visit, so many local shops and Sois to explore, very photogenic and the true BKK for me.
DooNam 1608, 1608 Song Wat Road, Bangkok – Directly on the river, very nice food and drinks, and very instagram-able location
Directly next door, but a bit tricky to get to from DooNam: Samsara Cafe and Meal, a bit more rustic, great locally inspired cocktails, again directly on the river banks with great views, and the twisted lanes and alleys leading to it are just amazing to explore.
The Commons, Thonglor, 335 Akkhara Phatsadu, Bangkok – A more modern approach on spending an afternoon working, having a coffee, great local meal, funky Dj entertainment.
The whole Soi Nana in Chinatown (NOT Sukhumvit area!) is full of bars and coffee shops super local, super cute, bit pricey but worth a visit for sure for example: Teens of Thailand (bar) (don’t get mislead by the name, nothing dodgy about that place), Ba Hao (great cocktails and food), Asia Today, Wallflowers Cafe all these places on that road/ in the area are worth it.
The list goes on and on, BKK is a fast city and places disappear fast and new ones come up even faster.
Outside Bangkok: The Glasshouse Silver, a super cute and funky beach bar/ restaurant.
What is your favorite Thai dish?
Are you kidding me? If it’s only ONE I can choose, I probably would go for ‘pad krapow pork’, classic Thai dish, spicy and juicy, with tastes and flavours, you can get literally everywhere in town
#7
It’s Bangkok, you have to look left and right to find the right spots. A narrow Soi just outside of Siam Discovery, one of the biggest shopping malls in the country.
#8
Tetris Building, Jenga Building, there are many names for the King Power MahaNakhon Tower in Bangkok.
What is your favorite accommodation in Thailand?
The Mustang Blu and Shanghai Mansion, both located in Bangkok’s Chinatown, but also Pullman G in BKK and Pullman G in Pattaya. Also there is JW Marriott Khao Lak (ok, posh but absolutely amazing pool and beach area!), Krai Son Lake House in Khao Sok National Park. And let’s go back to Pattaya, check the Mercure Pattaya Ocean Resort (with a cliff to jump off in the pool area).
There are a million cute little hostels and places around, very affordable and usually very locally managed by people who can lead you in the right direction to explore their part of the city/ country.
Do you have a (travel) tip that might come in handy in Thailand?
Be careful, if anyone calls you ‘my friend’ keep going, it’s not going to end well =).
Is there a Thai phrase or word our readers need to learn?
อร่อย – ‘aroy’ – meaning yummy.
#9
Giant Swing – a popular area to spend the afternoons in the city, just outside Wat Suthat Thepwararam.
What type / brand of camera do you use?
I use an Iphone 12 and a Nikon D600.
Where can our readers find your work / photos?
Last question, who should we also ask our ‘In the Picture’ feature?
Check these accounts:
holm_bangkok – Nice clean city shots
sombatphotograph – Great shots as well
saichonphotography – Bangkok based as well
orathaisiriburi – Local pics
ontourbear – a not-that-serious account, but kinda fun
#12
When it rains it rains!
SOME OTHER GREAT INFORMATION ABOUT THAILAND!
