Hobbies - Photography (Upcoming blog)

The second day of anti-government protests are reaching a conclusion as I write this and, thankfully, they have remained peaceful and good-humoured. The crowds from yesterday have grown to an estimated 50,000 although the organisers of the demonstration claim that the numbers are far greater. There are certainly sufficient numbers to cause chaos in the city if the planned disruption proceeds. Red Shirt leaders have officially requested that the sitting Government be dissolved by midday tomorrow (Monday 15th) and the sitting Government have officially refused.

Only a token number of soldiers and police were in evidence around the Phan Fa Bridge site today but reports suggest that the surrounding areas are being quietly reinforced. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has reiterated his intention to avoid violent conflict but remains steadfast in his aim to serve out his full term. Something, of course, will have to give. The Reds number far fewer than organisers had predicted in their press releases last week but are still sufficiently strong to place a stranglehold on the city if their determination holds.

Supporters of exiled Thai Premier, Thaksin Shinawatra, known as "Red Shirts" began to gather in Bangkok today, beginning a series of protests aimed at unseating the current Government. A mass rally is planned for tomorrow, Sunday 14th, when organisers claim that over 100,000 anti-Government protesters will join the rally (see Bangkok Post).

Numbers were much lower than that today but there was still a sizeable crowd. The Red Shirts are clearly very well organised, having closed surrounding roads and set-up a large stage complete with sound and lighting and a fully-operational media centre. Further along the road, temporary toilets and showers have been erected and trucks filled with bottled water arrived throughout the day. It seems that they are determined to be here until their demands for fresh elections are met – or until they are dispersed by forces loyal to the Government.

There were very few soldiers or police in evidence today but those that were here were treated very amiably by the protesters. It still surprises me that Thais ever resort to violence against each another when their natural disposition seems to be so friendly. It will, I imagine, remain a mystery and I sincerely hope that the current situation is resolved without violence and as quickly as possible.

I'm sure that many of my readers will be familiar with the prestigious annual Travel Photographer of the Year competition and if you're looking for inspiration for your travel photography then the winners' galleries are a great place to start. Better still, the organisers of the TPOTY contest have published three books featuring compilations of the best images, the latest of which is entitled Journey Three, so you can keep your inspiration near at hand.

I was pleased to see an e-mail from the organisers drop into my Inbox a few weeks ago: "I am very pleased to let you know that you have been included in the new Travel Photographer of the Year book, Journey Three, the latest book of images from the TPOTY awards. The book features the winning images from the 2007, 2008 and 2009 competitions."

The annual Vanity Fair Travel edition is in the shops now, featuring an article on Bali and the photographs that I took, whilst on assignment for the magazine.

Last weekend I joined the Sanuk My Saturday volunteering project in Bangkok. It's part of the wider "In Search of Sanuk" enterprise that seeks to encourage support of local Thai communities and charitable projects.

"Sanuk" is a Thai word that translates as fun or enjoyment although it's meaning goes deeper than that in Thai culture. It refers, in a wider sense, to being jovial and, I guess, to looking on the bright side. There's no literal translation into English.

Simply put, In Search Of Sanuk seeks to blend that sense of fun with the more serious business of supporting deserving causes.

"In Search of Sanuk (ISOS) is a community where people can collaborate on ways to change the world around them. We hope to encourage travelers to open their eyes, equip expats for self-activism, and challenge organizations to invest back into society more creatively. We’ll share advice, point out some great causes and invite you to participate in our own ongoing projects."

The Saturday teaching programme, Sanuk My Saturday, began in a small, neglected area on the outskirts of Bangkok and has recently expanded to include a community who live beside the train line in Bangkok. And when I say that they live "beside" the train line, I mean that most residents could reach out of their front door and touch the train as it passes.