FACES OF KHLONG THOEY PHOTOGRAPHY BY TIM RUSSELL
INTRODUCTION In June 2014 a friend took me to my first Thai football game, at PAT Stadium - home of Port FC. It was the start of something that has kind of taken over my life in Bangkok: I now go to every home game and plenty of away games too, and even run an unofficial club fan site. But equally importantly, that first game was my first encounter with the 'Khlong Thoey Army', the club's raucous, passionate and friendly fans, many of whom live in the notorious 'slum' area. I found the people so welcoming that I began visiting the slum to find out out more about their lives, photograph them, and see if the area was really as scary as many Bangkokians seem to think. The results can be found on the following pages. Whilst parts of the area do indeed match the description 'slum', in general it's a little harsh - yes, there is serious poverty and deprivation here, but it's also home to proud people who look after their neighbourhood and are very welcoming to visitors - even nosy foreigners with cameras. I now regularly run photo walks in the area and my guests are invariably blown away by the welcome they receive and the willingness of the locals to be photographed. So this e-book is one small attempt to alter people's prejudices and show that, whilst the residents of Khlong Thoey may not be rich, or fashionable, or many of the other things valued by Bangkok society, they're certainly friendly - and photogenic.Â
Curry paste seller, Khlong Thoey Market Khlong Thoey market is Bangkok's biggest wet market, where many of the city's restaurants buy their ingredients
Khlong Thoey Market
Market Porters The porters, with their orange jackets and cowboy hats, are a familiar sight at Khlong Thoey market
Ice Cream Man
Cooling Off
Khun Lem Khun (Mr) Lem is one of the most recognisable figures in the slum, for very obvious reasons - he is covered from head to toe in traditional Thai sak yant tattoos, and is always happy to show off his body art to photographers!
Dessert Seller
Old Lady
Fatherly Love One of my favourite shots: this tattooed tough guy becomes a lot more tender when holding his baby daughter.
Posing Camera shyness is rarely an issue in Khlong Thoey...
Back of the Net!
Snack Time
School's Out
Smokin'
The Clown
The Hangover
Hardcore Gamer
The Price of Fish
Kids of Khlong Thoey
Shopping
You Shall Not Pass!
Umbrella Repair Man
The Fire In January 2017 a devastating fire swept through an area of Khlong Thoey destroying 38 houses.Â
Khun Aru
Kid Power!
The Gardener
The Old Beer Seller (1)
The Old Beer Seller (2)
Playtime
Haircuts I came across a charity giving free haircuts to local people. Some enjoyed it more than others...
A Street Scene
Hail to the King Taken not long after the death of King Bhumibol. This woman lives under a flyover and her pictures of the King seem to be her most prized possessions.
Gossiping
Proud Grandfather
Deep in Thought
Lunch Al Fresco
Daydreaming
Picture by Alisha Steigerwald
Thanks to Dennie Cody for his advice and suggestions Thanks to the people of Khlong Thoey for their warm welcome Dedicated to Linny www.timrussellphotography.asia (c) Tim Russell 2017