Top photographers here to capture features of Kingdom

I found this in today Nation Newspaper. I post it as it is about photography in Thailand:

Regis

The famous Thai ghost known as Mae Nak, the ongoing conflict in the deep South, "beautiful" kick boxers, youth culture in Siam Square and the car-crash rescue unit "Por Tek Tung" are among a range of subjects that dozens of world-class photographers will cover in "Thailand: 9 Days in the Kingdom".

Fifty-five photographers, including some of the world's top lensmen from leading publications like Time and National Geographic, and highly rated photo agencies such as Magnum, have been assembled to capture various aspects of the Kingdom over nine days.

The celebrated photographers include Robert Capa gold award winner James Nachtwey, American Greg Gorman, and Steve McCurry, who's famous shot of the Afghan girl graced the cover of National Geographic magazine.

The Nation's award winning Charoon Thongnual is one of

11 Thai photographers who

will participate in the US$1.7 (Bt61 million) project.

"'9 Days' will represent both the charms and current realities of Thailand like a 'visual time capsule'," said Surat Osathanugrah, chairman of the project's editorial advisory board, at yesterday's press conference at the Dusit Thani Hotel.

"Although bombs exploded on New Year's Eve, all international photographers are confident of the country's security. We thank you all for doing this project. This book will also help promote tourism in Thailand," said Tourism and Sports Minister Suvit Yodmani.

The project is a follow-up to "Thailand: 7 Days in the Kingdom", in 1987. The original book, which featured work by 11 photographers, was translated into five languages and sold more than 100,000 copies.

The new book will be published in English, Japanese, and French by the end of this year. Publisher Editions Didier Millet will donate Bt9 million from sales to The Monarch, in acknowledgement of The Monarch's 80th birthday on December 5.

Unlike photo-guide books that feature beautiful shots, "9 Days" will attempt to portray the Kingdom in all its aspects.

"This book will have variety of angles like fashion, design, spa, mass infrastructure, landscape, lifestyle - both in the cities and upcountry," said Philip Cornwell-Smith, the editorial consultant.

Photographers started their assignments on Sunday and are due to complete their mission by next Monday (January 22).

A bird's eye view of the country will be captured by Yann Arthus Bertrand, whose book "Lion" was shot in Kenya from a balloon. He will take flights over Bangkok, the countryside and islands for his aerial collection.

Thai underwater photographer Nat Sumanatemeya will explore the marine world beneath the Andaman Sea.

In Pattani in the deep South, Paris-based Irani Abbas Roastanim and The Nation's Charoon Thongnual will cover life, culture, architecture and the civil strife there.

HIV/Aids and TB patients will be photographed by James Nachtwey, one of the founders of VII photo agency, while Steve McCurry will cover Buddhism in Surat Thani and Bangkok.

Greg Gorman will take shots of Thai kick boxers, including "Nong Tum", for the "Beautiful Boxers" theme.

Catherine Karnow, whose work has appeared in National Geographic, will capture the lives of Thai stars Tata Young, Thongchai "Bird" McIntyre, as well as superstitious subjects like the famous Thai ghost - Mae Nak - at Wat Mahabutr in Phra Khanong.