Photographer Chaiyos Pinpradab’s panoramic journey across Southern Thailand goes on show in Bangkok
What’s the best way to learn about Thailand’s South and immerse yourself in this vibrant multicultural region? A road trip? A book? A documentary?
All of those for sure, but for those seeking a more intimate perspective, Southern native and talented photographer Chaiyos Pinpradab offers a journey through his lens in “The Road to the Golden Peninsula”, his first solo film photography exhibition in 20 years.
Presented by the Phuket Art Association, the exhibition can be seen along the Curved Wall on the 5th Floor of the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC) from now until August 9.
A 150-Day Solo Journey on Film
The exhibition serves as a visual travelogue documenting a 150-day solo road trip from September 2024 to January 2025. Starting in Pran Buri in Prachuap Khiri Khan province —the gateway to the South—Chaiyos drove to the Sankalakhiri Mountain Range and Tak Bai in Narathiwat, capturing the region’s spirit across 114 panoramic photographs.
“As a native of the South, I see the beauty of this region in its temples, its way of life and its architecture. Yet violence remains part of our reality, and I carry that sadness together with the Thai people whenever lives are lost,” Chaiyos told reporters at the exhibition’s opening day.
Drawing on his background as a former journalist, Chaiyos navigated the solitary journey with caution. Armed with a Hasselblad XPan panoramic rangefinder camera, he shot roughly 50 rolls of film. The camera’s wide 24 x 65 mm format creates sweeping, cinema-like compositions that capture deep shadows and expansive landscapes.
Every frame was carefully developed and printed using traditional darkroom techniques by Srisuphat “Big” Satiansri, founder of Min Black and White Darkroom and Chaiyos’s close friend for more than 30 years.
Uncovering a Multicultural Tapestry
Chaiyos’s wide-angle B&W frames reveal hidden historical narratives and ordinary scenes across the peninsula. Among the highlights from the deep south are the century-old wooden Talo Mano Mosque in Narathiwat and the Abbot’s Quarters at Wat Chontharasinghe—a Buddhist temple in a Muslim-majority province. He also highlights Songkhla’s European-style “Red Pavilion” on Tang Kuan Hill.
His travelogue takes visitors beyond static buildings, with his camera documenting enduring traditions such as Nora traditional dance, daily life including a local market in Satun province and the natural beauty of the sandy shores of Pattani and beaches in Phuket.
The Thai subhead of the exhibition, “Hom dok pikul ruang” (which roughly translates as “The fragrance of the fallen Spanish cherry blossom”), carries a deeper emotional weight. For Chaiyos, the title subtly honours the innocent lives lost to the Southern conflict.
Despite the underlying grief, his drive remains rooted in civic responsibility and legacy.
“I think of it as a public service. If we have an opportunity and can do any good to society, we should. Life is short after all.”
If you go:
The Road to the Golden Peninsula runs from July 28 to August 9 on the Curved Wall, 5th Floor, Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC). The centre is open daily except Mondays from 10am to 8pm. Admission is free.
