This is a work in progress
Tourist or traveler, a new shameless perspective of traveling, brings visual evidence to start a conversation about gentrification. There was a time when being a traveler meant seeking out hidden gems and meaningful connections, while tourists stuck to the well-trodden paths and famous sights. Yet today, those distinctions seem to have vanished into the crowds.
Tourist or traveler: another case of gentrification?
With globalization and gentrification transforming cities across the globe, places like Thailand reveal how the lines between travelers and tourists have blurred. What was once considered an off-the-beaten-path experience is now as curated and commodified as the world’s most iconic landmarks. The quest for authenticity often leads us to experiences that are meticulously packaged and sold, making the search feel almost like a façade.
The Tourits or traveler first case: Thailand
Tuk tuk drivers parked outside the grand palace in Bangkok, Thailand. A very common tourist point and one of the main city sightseeings.
A group of people waiting for the bus in front of the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand. Local people usually take public transportation like bus o metro to move in the city, a small percentage take the tuk tuks.
The temple of dawn or Wat Arun Ratchawararam, is one of Bangkok’s most important Buddhist temples. It’s named after Aruna, the Hindu god of dawn. I went on the afternoon, the sunset looks better in this time of the year and for the picture, you wouldn’t have the river and the sun at the same time. Tourist or traveler?
People dressed with traditional outfits doing photography sessions in the temple of dawn. Apparently, this is promoted by the Thai government to promote soft power.
Wall full of posters with an “asian style” pop culture products and people. In the Vietnam War, Thailand hosted a large number of U.S. military personnel, which brought Thais into an unprecedented level of contact with foreigners who created a cultural impact and transformed Thai society. American music, movies, fashion, and other “made in U.S.A.” products were imported into Thailand and became popular.
Images of the royal family of Thailand for sale. This kind of images can be seen in many houses all around Thailand, some even have images from previews royal members.
Juice seller watching videos at Chinatown, Bangkok. Nightlife in Bangkok seems to exceed the daylight activities and places like Chinatown are the most active when the sun is down.
The golden Buddha. The origins of this statue are uncertain. The head of the statue is egg-shaped, which indicates its origin in the Sukhothai period in the 13th–14th centuries. At some point in history, the statue was completely plastered over to prevent it from being stolen. Now is seen by thousands of people every day.
A Thai family eating out in Chinatown. This is a place where cultures mix and Thai people have adopted some of the Chinese cultura legacy as they began to trade with the Thai people since the reign of King Rama I the Great.
The other face of Chinatown is the one who must work to keep the show on.
In Thailand there are markets that are small and look traditional and are totally for tourist. And the are big, “ugly” smelly and crowded markets where the local buy for their home or business.
Night Bazars are all around Thailand. Another place frequented by tourist and travelers looking to explore Thailand’s nightlife. This one has been colonized by a 7-eleven
Market worker offers a big catch for the picture. I offered a gratitude gesture and we shared a smile. Tourist or traveler?
Kid playing with his dad in the back of the local market in Chiang Mai. His father was clueless about the hit that was about to receive and both of them where clueless about the picture I was about to take. As a father-to-be at that moment, I felt attracted to scenes of children hanging around their dad. Tourist or traveler?
Little girl waiting while her parents sell tours to the floating market and many other attractions for tourist.
Kid fishing in the Floating market pier. I always wonder about the lives of people who live in this kind of place, what is he going to catch with all those motorboats passing over and over full of people. Tourist or traveler?
Floating markets are very eye-catching, for many of us, represents a new experience. Buying a pineapple from a boat for example.
A simple tour can trigger a bigger thing in your life. Learning a story from a tour guide can be more insightful that a complete Lonely Planet Guide. Tourist or traveler?
I felt right taking her picture. We were there, talked to her family and laugh. The music started and we clapped for her, she repeated her dance even after her mom went to make our food. Tourist or traveler?
Every day
One day…
Military parade in Bangkok. People take pictures of the aligned soldiers marching in order and dressed identically.
A crossroad full of motorcyclists passing randomly and with different outfits. And people take pictures.
In some places, busses seems like the last option of inner city transportation for tourist. Where do you check the route, does the driver speaks english. Once you get up, it feels scary to get down. My father was a bus driver, I always check the busses of the places I visit and try to imagine what would be his thoughts about that bus.
Long distance bus is a different story, point A to point B can be done even by a lab mouse. Once I did it i felt great, and the crappy looking bus made me felt a little more traveler than a tourist.
What is everyday life? How do you capture that in a picture? is it interesting enough? Does it represent the place where was taken? is it timeless?
In a highly buddhist society like the Thai, people pray, chant, meditate, or worship when they feel like they need or want. Not on a fixed order or schedule.
I wonder if she dreams to travel. If every afternoon passing by the travel agency think about what would be the first place she would go. If watching her city full of tourist encourage her to do the same. Take that tuk tuk to the airport and fly to Costa Rica or Spain?
What characteristics separate a traveler than a tourist? The outfit, the luggage, or the travel schedule? Maybe is just in the inside, something you see with the right kind of eyes, like a life lesson.
Railay beach at sunset, full of boat taking people back to Krabi, a daily ritual.
Elderly woman taking a Sunday morning bath on natural hot-springs, in a far away town in the north of Thailand.
Doi Suthep is one of the most famous temples in Thailand, visited for more that 120 000 people every month. According to Wikipedia “Some visitors of Doi Suthep call themselves “pilgrim-tourist” because they pay homage to the site but also indulge on the surrounding attractions”.
I was 17 000 km away from home and seeing a dad playing Futball with his two children one quiet and warm afternoon, just like I would see it in my hometown. This town has a temple in a cave, but luckly for them, is not that famous.
Khao Sok National Park
In 1944…
A deadly epidemic swept through the region killing a large number of the population, those who survived moved away from the area. The village that was now deserted became known as “Ban Sop” – which means “Village of the Dead”. However, this is only one explanation for the village’s name which might also be derived from the name of a mountain called “Khao Sop” or “Corpse Mountain” being located close to the village.
Khao Sok National Park
View from inside a taxi cap of Bangkok’s Chinatown.
Hitchhiker in the back of a pickup in the highway
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