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WAT ARUN

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WAT ARUN

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The Temple of Dawn is so named because it looks special during the first light of the day. Although I came here when the last light was already fading away, I couldn't imagine how the temple would have been less beautiful at any other time of the day. Even at night, this iconic landmark is a sight to behold, and was a great, welcoming way to start my journey in Thailand.

Photo and caption by Yen Baet

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MORNING PRAYERS

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MORNING PRAYERS

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There is a great sense of humility that comes with being able to witness religious practices in a foreign land. Not long after I offered my share of alms to the monks at Wat Benchamabophit in Chiang Mai, I watched as they gathered around for prayers as the morning light filtered its way through the great hall.

Photo and caption by Yen Baet

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MAHOUT’S BREAK

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MAHOUT’S BREAK

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There are over 30 elephants at the Chiang Dao camp, each assigned with their own trainer or mahout. After trekking through the forest and across the Ping River, I found a mahout on our way out, seated on the back of his elephant, indulging in what looked like a long-overdue cigarette break.

Photo and caption by Yen Baet

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BANGKOK RAINSTORM

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BANGKOK RAINSTORM

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Thailand has been experiencing unseasonal rainstorms over the past weeks. We were on the rooftop of one of Bangkok's tallest buildings when foreboding clouds started to roll across the night sky, sending off occasional lightning strikes in scattered locations. Later, rain would fall and wash down the heat that had lingered in the city the whole day.

Photo and caption by Yen Baet

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IN GOOD COMPANY

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IN GOOD COMPANY

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In a cozy village nestled in the mountains of Chiang Mai live a group of hill tribe folks. The women spend the day weaving - a craft they do skillfully, while their young ones romp around in their colorful clothes, keeping their mothers company most of the time.

Photo and caption by Yen Baet

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SISTERS

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SISTERS

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Two sisters from the hill tribe come in from the warm mountain sun and take shelter inside their bamboo hut. I stood just outside their window communicating with random hand gestures which the little one had quickly picked up and started doing them herself. Here she tries making a peace sign.

Photo and caption by Yen Baet

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BOND GIRL

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BOND GIRL

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Like a scene from "The Man with the Golden Gun," beautiful ladies swarm the popular James Bond island of Phuket. I watched boats in all shapes and sizes come in and out of the island in droves, bringing with them colors in the form of sundresses and straw hats that livened up what was a bleak and cloudy day.

Photo and caption by Yen Baet

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TUK-TUK NIGHT RIDE

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TUK-TUK NIGHT RIDE

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Although traffic is never fun, the sheer novelty of riding a tuk-tuk almost makes weaving in and out of crowded streets feel like an adventure more than anything else. During a night in Chiang Mai, while the Yee Peng festival was well underway, I hopped on a tuk-tuk and watched as it zipped past exploding firecrackers and a city bursting at the seams with a bustling nightlife.

Photo and caption by Yen Baet

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DANCE OF GRATITUDE

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DANCE OF GRATITUDE

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Erawan Shrine, set against towering shopping malls and Bangkok's busy Skytrain, still somehow manages to keep tradition and devotion in check. Worshippers hire traditional dancers to perform as a token of gratitude for answered prayers. For an outsider like me, the grace and elegance of these dances bring forth its own sense of spirituality.

Photo and caption by Yen Baet

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MANY-FACED BUDDHA

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MANY-FACED BUDDHA

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At the top of Wat Saket or the Golden Mount where one is immediately drawn to the sweeping view of the city, it is easy to miss the rituals that transpire quietly within the temple. Here, worshippers pay their respects and make offerings to Buddha.

Photo and caption by Yen Baet

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THE GIRL WITH THE BRASS RING

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THE GIRL WITH THE BRASS RING

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This longneck woman from the hill tribe village of Chiang Mai seemed wrapped up in her work as I came to her. The afternoon light fell gracefully on her face and she had that certain aura about her that felt to me like a Vermeer painting coming to life. It was a scene I could not resist photographically.

Photo and caption by Yen Baet

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MUAY THAI RINGSIDE

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MUAY THAI RINGSIDE

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On a rainy night in Bangkok, it did not take me long to discover an alternative place to hang out in besides the crowded shopping centers. Muay Thai boxing had me forget for a while about the downpour happening outside. There was much going on here: adrenalin pumping, beads of sweat flying across the ring, cheers and jeers from spectators. It was definitely not your typical way of spending Sunday night.

Photo and caption by Yen Baet

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BOAT RIDE IN A MANGROVE FOREST

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BOAT RIDE IN A MANGROVE FOREST

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From the sweltering beaches of Phuket and into an hour-long open boat ride along Phang Nga bay, we finally found shelter from the sun under the canopy of trees in this dense mangrove forest. It was all about peace, quiet, and time seemingly slowing down, while our boat glided smoothly in the emerald green waters.

Photo and caption by Yen Baet

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THE JOURNEY OF THE KRATHONGS

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THE JOURNEY OF THE KRATHONGS

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Several krathongs or floating lotuses begin their journey down the Ping River. They are sent off for good luck, bundled with the heartfelt wishes and desires of worshippers celebrating the Yee Peng festival in Chiang Mai.

Photo and caption by Yen Baet

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PEACE IN PHUKET

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PEACE IN PHUKET

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Sometimes it's hard to imagine a sense of calm outside the frenzied shops, markets and restaurants of Phuket's busy beaches. But soon as the night starts to come in and the boats that have worked tirelessly all day have found their places on the shore, there comes the respite we all long for.

Photo and caption by Yen Baet