this image was created with a Fuji digital with manual settings and a manual zoom lens, rotating the zoom barrel whilst depressing the shutter at around 1/60th second to create this effect in nighttime traffic.
Krungthep, City of ANGELS - and the [crazy] real name!
If you never heard before, 'Bangkok' is basically the English/Western version of the Thai capital, whereas most Thai speakers refer to it just as 'Krung Thep'. However, this also stands in for the full official Thai name, as follows -
Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit.
This makes for the longest city name in the world, albeit not in a single word as with Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapiki-maungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitnatahu, New Zealand wins that title. Bangkok is fine just for simplicity, however some Thai people won't even know that word so you can use 'Krung Thep' to be sure you are going to Bangkok, and not Bongchok or some phonetically similar yet random other location.
Also a city of infinite photographic inspiration. There isn't a moment or a space in Bangkok where you can't find something unique to make photographic images. Having spent time in, lived in, worked etc in Bangkok for varying periods over the years, these are some of the moments in time and space captured in my lens.
2007 - 2019
There's no particular timeline here, shots could be from any time within this period. I'll narrate each photo as I go, with what can be recalled about the place and anything I happened to be doing at the time.
Get up somewhere high in the evening for spectacular cityscapes
I actually used this to get around for awhile! Bright lights essential safety feature. Be seen, be safe! This MTB was so maneuverable in the city, and at city jam speeds beats everything
Stylized photo taken in a taxi in a traffic jam, late night, c2014. note the nodding dog on the dashboard next to the meter.
Bangkok, where you walk around the corner and sights such as this classic Jag, (still on the road), meet the eye. Stop to take a quick photo, smile and nod politely with the owner.
Playing around in my old office, tucked away under a large condo/mall complex somewhere in Bangkok, c2016!
Amazing street art. This was on an underpass in a pretty run down and quiet area.
High up in a rented apartment in Silom, this would have been during my HP tenancy before moving to Thailand. The place had this really extreme view onto the older low rise shop-houses below.
On Nut Road at sunset, Bangkok streets can take on incredible colors in the early evening. Especially when there has been a downpour, and the sun starts to poke back out at sunset like here. Beware riding/driving on the wet roads, especially if it has been dry for a few days prior. They can get greasy from spills of diesel, oil, etc. It can be like hitting black ice where there should be no ice!
Soi Cowboy, (in)famous nightlife street, pre-pandemic and heaving with punters. Yet something is different in this photo, typically you will see photos of this place lit up and full of crazy neon. Here, it is in total darkness! I don't remember whether this exact time was something out of respect, or an actual powercut, having witnessed both things occur around here during a 2 year period living around the area.
A large complex somewhere in Bangkok ... actually out of town a little and my old digs. They had a lot of space around and large swimming pools. It was pretty close to the airport, and cheap(ish).
A humble shophouse yet on second look, a very well curated selection of classic and modern motorcycles on offer. Likely Silom area.
Finishing up with one of the best night-shots I managed to capture in Bangkok. Thank you Panasonic LUMIX LX-5:
A view from the top of the Sofitel hotel on Sukhumvit road, Bangkok.
City of images
As mentioned, as a city Bangkok is a real treat for photographers, I believe this small selection represents that. There are far better and more advanced photographers out there, and since a lot of these were taken the game has moved on to completely different levels. Looking back through these, I enjoy the 'lofi' look of many of them, and feel it is something I want to get back to doing more of.