My journey as a photographer in Thailand essentially began at the same time as my broader travel photography journey: Thailand is the place where I became a photographer.

Below, I will explain this story in more detail and then list some beautiful places in Thailand where you can perfect your own craft. After that, I will show you some examples of my work, which I hope will inspire you.

Are you thinking about buying a camera in Thailand? I'll tell you the pros and cons and finally give you tips for planning your perfect photography trip to Thailand.

My Thailand photography story

My story as a photographer in Thailand begins on the island of Koh Maak in the Trat archipelago. Two days before my 25th birthday, in February 2010, my Sony compact camera gave up the ghost for the last time. If I wanted to celebrate my 25th birthday as planned in Angkor Wat in Cambodia, I had to make a detour to Bangkok and finally fulfill my long-held promise to buy a DSLR.

The ride to Bangkok, on the back of a motorbike, with neon signs glowing all around, was the beginning of so much. It was the first step in turning my hobby, photography, into a profession, yes, but also the start of my ten-year love affair with Thailand. That early evening laid the foundation for my move to Bangkok in mid-2012 – the root of my current (and, I suspect, lasting) fascination with the Kingdom.

My favorite photo spots in Thailand

Bangkok's Thonburi district

Although some of Bangkok's most beautiful spots are obvious, many are not. One of my favorite places to photograph in Thailand's capital is the "Space Temple" Wat Pak Nam in Thonburi, on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. My favorite view of Bangkok, however, is from the roof of the Siriraj Hospital parking garage, also on the Thonburi side of the river.

The Golden Triangle

Another place I found very inspiring for photographing Thailand is the Golden Triangle near Chiang Rai. This includes not only the Saam Liam Trong Kham monument itself, but also cities like Mae Sai (which lies on the border with Myanmar and whose aesthetic reflects Burmese culture) and Chiang Saen, from where you can see Laos on the other side of the Mekong – you can feel it in the streets, too.

Railay Beach, Krabi

When it comes to Thailand's most beautiful beaches, the line between legendary and cliché is thin. Railay Beach in Krabi province, in my opinion, falls just within the acceptable range. Admittedly, it's busy, but the sheer number of tourists doesn't diminish my enthusiasm for the limestone formations that rise above this incredible beach and the long lines of longtail boats that ply the waters early each morning.

Sukhothai Historical Park

The ancient city of Ayutthaya, near Bangkok, is a popular photo subject in Thailand. However, it's also overcrowded (with both day-trippers from the capital and Chinese bus tourists) and was rebuilt after the 2011 floods in a way that I find almost insulting. Instead, if you're traveling by train, head further north to Phitsanulok, the gateway to the impressive Sukhothai Historical Park, the site of Thailand's first capital.

Red Lotus Sea

I know that not everyone can travel to Thailand at any time, so I've tried to recommend places that are appealing year-round. However, if you can travel in late January or early February, you should definitely fly to Udon Thani. Just 30 minutes away is Talee Bua Daeng, also known as the Red Lotus Sea. Covered in countless pink lotus flowers and especially beautiful in the morning, this is not only a highlight of the Isaan region, but of all of Thailand.

My favorite photos from Thailand

Should you buy a camera in Thailand?

Buying electronics in Thailand can be a double-edged sword. The first reason is obvious: many products in Thailand, including cameras and lenses, are counterfeit. While "official" retailers of brands like Nikon and Canon have sprung up in the kingdom in recent years, the downside of these stores is that you generally don't get the discounts you'd find, for example, at the MBK Center.

However, if you want to improve your Thailand photography and are currently in the Kingdom, it would be a shame to wait until your return home to take advantage of another opportunity. If you plan to buy a camera in Thailand, make sure it has an international warranty and pay by credit card (so you can dispute the transaction in case of fraud!).

Plan your photography trip to Thailand

My list of destinations for photographers in Thailand above is neither complete nor exhaustive. Reality is complex and cannot be captured in a thousand words. The best places for photographers in Thailand depend on the destinations and experiences offered in the Kingdom, as well as on individual preferences and photographic interests.

Conclusion

Whether your Thailand photos are already great and just need a little fine-tuning, or you're starting from scratch – you've come to the right place. My story about photographing in Thailand (and the photos I took in the Kingdom) will inspire you; I've backed it up with solid facts that will motivate you to take action. Thailand, as I like to say, is so much more than just a pretty face. No matter how beautiful your Thailand photos turn out to be, you should know one thing: they are so much more than mere travel memories.