Photography Thailand Forum

[Chris Savery]

My first post and already I'm asking questions...

One of my favourite books here in Thailand is the "Photo Hobby" one put out by Thai photographer Waranun Chutchawantipakorn and in that book he has a shot taken at the Salt Felds in Samut Songkram, just South West of Bangkok. I'd love to make a day trip down there to see what's there and take some shots.

I wonder if anyone here has been there by bus from Bangkok and knows which number goes there or near by. It looks like an amazing place for photos. I guess since I'm mentioning it if anyone here in Bangkok wanted to make a trip out there together I'd be into that.

Also by way of introduction - I'm a computer programmer guy who has washed up here in Thailand and been milling around for a few years now. I take photos on and off as a hobby. When I get a burst of energy I'm out around town getting shots and then I cool off and get distracted by other things, eventually to return to photos again in due time. I have a web site at www.photomiraculous.com with some of my photos. Hope to change that name soon as I don't like it now nearly as much as when I got the name.

Happy to be part of a local photo community and would be interested in sometimes meeting up with others who want to take photos.

Cheers,
Chris :)

[willow]

Chris

I have often been wanting to go there too, if you want PM me with a contact No and anybody else, we can arrange a date/time.

I live in Taksin / Wingwongyai.

I would be prepared to drive and pick-up in the Taksin rd or in fromt of Big C (Rama 2) this is on the way.



Willow

[Chris Savery]

Hi Willow,

Thanks for your suggestion.

I live in Klong San near Saphan Taksin as well. I hear that the train from Wongwenyai goes to Samut Songkram. I was thinking of taking that today but held off because of possible poor weather. And now as I write it's pouring down hard.

Driving there would definately give more flexibility to get around. I hear it's best to get there early for the floating markets but I have no idea what times work for the salt flats. In the mentioned book it appears the photo is in the evening due to the colour of light - though I'm open enough to go any time.

BTW I read in Lonely Planet that the train goes 4 times daily - what times I don't know but that train leaves from somewhere right near Wongwenyai (I've never been on it), and used to cost only 20 baht. About an hour long trip.

Anyway, I'm open to suggestions and getting more people who are into a day trip sometime. Always looking for something to do.

Chris :)

[David Salmanowitz]

Chris--I agree that  "Photo Hobby" by Thai photographer Waranun Chutchawantipakorn is a wonderful book with some killer photos. I believe he used to work in a photo shop at Thaniya Plaza, now I think he works at the photo store at Silom Complex. I could be wrong, but it does not change the fact that he takes some fine photographs.

[Chris Savery]

Hi David,

I don't know if he's still involved with that shop or not. I did visit the store once, over a year ago, and think maybe he was at that time. Later the shop moved over to Silom Complex, and I did stop in again to look at tripods. They pretty much deal in equipment that I'm not using so it has not become a place I go often. His photos are an inspiration for me though and I often look at them and imagine that I could get out to some of those places and catch (read "attempt") something similar. He also has some other books out that I've seen but not bought.

One other spot in his book that pulls on me is the Sangkhlaburi area, by the lake with the misty waters, and the sunken temple. I'll get there someday. I think it needs to be sometime soon too as the rainy season is the time to see the temple under water. I'm told that later during the winter it stands above water level.

Being able to speak Thai even half decently would have untold advantages in arranging things and really getting close enough to people, as he often does in his shots. I speak a little bit but struggle all the time with the tones and even just remembering words. Although I know a farang or two who can speak fluently I just don't seem to be cut out for it.

Chris :)

[Marc Schultz]

I just want to note that I have driven by the salt fields many times recently, including yesterday on the way back from an assignment in Cha-Am.

At the moment there are no salt mounds out there that I observed. The fields are pretty flat at the moment and have been for the last two months I would say.

I think there are times when they flood the fields, when the water from salt water is evaporating, when the water is dried up with only the salt remaining, and when they are actually out there raking it up.

In fact, I recall once recently seeing machines out there gathering up salt in a couple of the salt paddies so it is even possible they are mainly using machines now to gather up the salt once all the water has been evaporated. I know 4-5 years ago they were still doing it manually though.

Given the above, I would suggest to try to gather some more information about it first as to what time of year they are involved with salt collection and if they are still doing it using manual labor before heading out there becuase at the moment I can say if one went out there with the intent of taking photos of them raking up salt I am not sure anything would be found.

The TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand) might have some information it if you give them a call.

Hope that helps...

P.S. As far as I know, Khun Waranun still owns that camea shop in Silom called Photo Hobby, now located in Silom Complex. If he hasn't been around it is possible he was in China or somewhere else on a photo trip.

[Chris Savery]

Thank you Marc. I will have to do a bit more research then.
Will post here when I know more.
Chris :)

[Marc Schultz]

Your welcome Chris. I just looked back at a shot I took there back in 2002 and the time of the year was March. But I would imagine there is salt collection at various times throughout the year. I assume though they are either working very early in the morning, say from sunrise until about 9am or during the later afternoon since it is very hot that time of year. My shot was actually taken around 5PM. I hope that helps.

[Chris Savery]

I was just talking about it with my girlfriend and she said they may not do it during the rainy season as the extra rainfall may make it hard to evaporate and get salt. So you are likely right - dry and hot would obviously be better for production. Oh well, maybe I'll plan on a trip to Sangkhlaburi soon.
Chris :)

[Marc Schultz]

Sangklaburi is always good, although I have not been there in a few years myself. At last visit they were improving the roads out there. Just avoid some of the winter months when they are burning the fields up in the mountains as there is lots of gray cloud cover from all the ash fallout in the sky which can give your pictures a bit of a white haze.

You wont find very many obvious subjects to photograph there though except a few small boats moving around in the large reservoir there and along the big wooden foot bridge. Most of the best shots that have been taken there require some arrangements to be made with the local people.

[Chris Savery]

Just updating this post. Now in April they have been out there doing salt gathering. It is still hit and miss. I take the bus to and from Bkk to Petchaburi sometimes and see various work going on near the highway with salt mounds. My analysis is that unless you know someone there or have supremely good luck you would not catch the workers just on any random outing.

I don't need to worry now as they have salt fields about 15 minutes walk from where I live in Hat Chao. I was out this morning and no one was working - I missed it, as one nice field was already rows of salt mounds. At least now I have some local contacts who can fill me in about what kind of schedule they keep. I saw some tools for manual labour there so I'm fairly sure they still rake and scoop by hand in this area.


As a side note as well: if you want the bus going south to Petchaburi and Hua hin - I never go to the southern bus terminal any more as I can cut off a half hour by picking it up directly near Rama 2 (Praram Song), from Silom area, at Bang Kai Dee. Take bus 76 from Silom or Pratunam and tell them you're going to Bang Kai Dee which is near the end of line. After you pass Praram Song and then Tesco Lotus, you go on an overpass over the interchange on the highway. After that overpass count the number of foot bridges over the highway. Get off at the third one. This is the pick up spot for buses going south. They will flash their lights as they approach and you wave them. They stop and pick you up. Note that other buses do not stop and go right past - don't worry, there are some that flash and stop. Great for getting to Petchaburi, and places south like Prachuap, Chompon and even Rayong, without going all the way out to Pinklao and then coming all the way back.


Chris :)

[agitlits]

Sangklaburi is always good, although I have not been there in a few years myself. At last visit they were improving the roads out there. Just avoid some of the winter months when they are burning the fields up in the mountains as there is lots of gray cloud cover from all the ash fallout in the sky which can give your pictures a bit of a white haze.

You wont find very many obvious subjects to photograph there though except a few small boats moving around in the large reservoir there and along the big wooden foot bridge. Most of the best shots that have been taken there require some arrangements to be made with the local people.

Sangklaburi was great on my last visit. Reservoir views were excellent during sunset. Very photogenic place.

Alex