HEADED TO THAILAND!

[Nik Harper]

Hey guys,

I'm taking a vacation to Thailand in November (16th-30th).

I'm bringing my Scarlet and had some questions about Thailand.

Is there anywhere that I should avoid bringing my camera?
What are some "must-see/shoot" locations. My girlfriend and I have done a ton of research but local knowledge is always better.

We're going to around the Bangkok area, some of the national parks, as well as Rei Leh.

it would be really cool to meet up with a fellow reduser while we're there!

Thanks in advance!

 

[Ivan Kovax]

Hey mate. I've just come over to thailand, from Japan, for 2 months for a feature film. I will be in Bangkok and Chennmai (1 month in each place). Holler if you are in the area.

To answer your question - my initial impression is that Thailand seems like a rather safe place. Although we do have a crew of 100 or so which may aid in warding off any mischief.

Have fun.

Ivan

 

[Ethan Knight]

wow we can have a Reduser get together. I'm coming to Thailand on the 20th of November (for two months) to shot a short documentary down south.

I've lived there for 2 years so hit me up with any specifics..

Nik, what's your interest? culture, landscape, people..?

Outside the tourist conveyor belt, the thai experience is very lovely and hospitable.

One good point to consider is, don't shot or aim your camera for too long at any portraits of the king, don't joke about him, they take it very very seriously.

Other then that they are super tolerant.

 

[D Anderson]

Don't take photos/vids is the gogo bars.

 

[Chris Elkerton]

Yes a second that, Thai people are really friendly and tolerant.
If you are going to Bangkok I would recommend a trip to Khao San Road. It's a bit heavy on the drunken tourists but there are plenty if street performers, street vendors and other cool stuff to shoot. Here is something a shot while out there.

http://vimeo.com/65235134

I would also recommend a river boat ride, nice way to see the city.

 

[Paul Russell]

Definitely hit the Bangkok Forensic Science Museum in Sririraj Hospital. Also, the Anatomy Museum is also worth a morbid look.

 

[Jack Cooper]

Hey guys,

I'm taking a vacation to Thailand in November (16th-30th).

I'm bringing my Scarlet and had some questions about Thailand.

Is there anywhere that I should avoid bringing my camera?
What are some "must-see/shoot" locations. My girlfriend and I have done a ton of research but local knowledge is always better.

We're going to around the Bangkok area, some of the national parks, as well as Rei Leh.

it would be really cool to meet up with a fellow reduser while we're there!

Thanks in advance!

Nik, If you're not booked/confirmed on your lodging, I would suggest getting to other parts of the country. Many equate Bangkok with being like NYC in terms of density, high rises, traffic, etc.

If you're up seeing Ivan in Chiang Mai? then I would strap on the scarlet and take the "Flying Monkey Zipline" Tour...The mountains in that region are insanely beautiful. The vistas are 5K worthy.

Also, if you get down south in the Phuket region, take one of the boat tours (sea kayak) around Phang Nga -- the bat caves and geography of that region are equally amazing.

Thai Air has an intra-country ticket...roughly $usd 200.00 for like 5 segments or so....Not the best picture...but Rihanna was just in-country...

One consideration, avoid the animals (elephants, monkey's, etc)...It just fuels the illegal activities...

Story here...
http://www.vibe.com/article/rihanna-monkey-photo-leads-arrests-thailand

 

[Dominik Muench]

I used to live and work in Bangkok for a year.....its an incredibly safe country if you re not deliberately trying to provoke a situation or look like a desperate tourist wanting to get ripped off. Thai people are very shy but extremely helpful and friendly.

For visually exciting stuff in Bangkok itself...go to the Silom Road markets, Suan Lum night markets, the floating markets, Wat Pho Temple complex......check out the hustling and bustling 3rd floor of the MBK mall where all the mobile phone stalls are.

Thailand and Bangkok in particular is one of those places where you can randomly point your camera towards anything and you get an interesting or unusual shot.

Samutprakan Crocodile farm is pretty crazy...they have a 9m salt water croc there.

If you have the time.....take a flight to Siem Reap in Cambodia (70$ one way - 45 min flight) and visit the Angkor temples......I cant wait to go back there with my EPIC !!

Have to agree with Ethan....don't ever speak badly about the Thai King in public, make disrespectful gestures towards portraits of the royal thai crest...don't step on banknotes on the ground...cause they have the Kings portrait on them and if you go to the movies... check out the amazing cinemas at Siam Paragon...before every movie they play the royal thai hymn, make sure you stand up like the locals do.

Just to be safe....save the contact details of the Thai Tourist Police in your phone....they speak english and have offices all over Bangkok and Thailand....if a taxi driver gets a bit too ambitious and wants to take you to some "Gem Shop" place or a street vendor gets a bit to pesty...just threaten you will call the Tourist police and they usually back off.

Remember you are a guest in a very old, traditional and religious country...be respectful and friendly and treat people and places the way you would expect to be treated and you will have an amazing time, your girlfriend will have to cover up when visiting temples...they will offer sarongs to cover short skirts and too much exposed skin, dont let her walk around in just a Bikini top in the city or anywhere else apart from the beach...its extremely insulting to the locals.......DONT BE SCARED TO TRY THE DODGY LOOKING STREET FOOD VENDORS....their food is AMAZING !!!!

 

[Joe Pontecorvo]

Hi Nik, I worked and lived in Thailand for several years. I recently went back with my Epic as a tourist without any major problems. You can go pretty much anywhere with your camera, but keep it close at all times (like anywhere) and when not shooting put it away in a nondescript bag, something that does not look like a camera bag or that does not look expensive.

Certain popular tourist locations (especially temples) will not allow you to film if they see a professional camera. I was stopped by a couple guards at Wat Pho but end up simply waiting until they left. Technically many of those site require a permit, but it is Thailand and there is always a way to grease the wheels if you meet the right folks.

But as others have said, in places like Bangkok you can point your camera in nearly any direction and capture some amazing stuff. Be careful with your camera in places like Soi Cowboy or Pat Pong, certain business owners will not be thrilled to see you and they have the police in their pockets so be careful.

The countryside is stunning, some great national parks all around Thailand. Northern Thailand is stunning, especially around Chang Rai and Golden Triangle area.

It's a beautiful country and I miss it a lot.
I have a list of national parks and other locations I can suggest, feel free to get in touch I'm in Seattle.

 

[Nik Harper]

Hey guys,

Thanks for all of the info! This is all very useful.

@Ethan, where down south will you be?

@Jack Yeah we're going down to Krabi/Rai Leh/Phra Nang Beach. I've heard that's it's one of the most amazing beaches in the world!

 

[Nik Harper]

Hey Chris!

Are you in London?

I'm actually headed to London on Saturday for the UKMVAs.

It would be cool to meet up if we have time!

 

[Danai Chutinaton]

Hi Nik,

Good vacation choice! I'm a local of Bangkok and the advice so far has been good. Yes, its generally safe and hassle free to do photography in Bangkok and Thailand in general. As far as precautions go, I would like to add the following:

Be careful when shooting at night. Stay in well lit areas where they are lots of people. Shooting in the day is typically no problem (with some common sense of course). And as others have mentioned, don't shoot anything dodgy such as fake goods and questionable night life activities.

Avoid anyone who is too helpful especially taxis and tour guides. They will take you to places that sell merchandise for which they get a commision. Stick to taking taxi's that use the meter.

Look like a tourist and not a professional and you should have no problems.

 

[Ivan Kovax]

That being said, I witnessed somebody get shot 4 times in the chest with a handgun about 7 meters away from me when we wrapped the other week in Bkk. Apparently this is a regular occurrence here which I wasn't aware of.

Bullets and Buddhism. That really confuses me.