FocratesPhotography

Travel photography: Thailand - Part 2

October 8, 2025

The second part of my Thailand journey takes us to the south of the country, a region known for its tropical islands, turquoise waters, and lush jungle landscapes. While the beaches often receive the most attention, the inland areas are just as remarkable, offering a different perspective on Thailand’s natural beauty.

One of the highlights of southern Thailand is Khao Sok National Park, a protected area that covers dense rainforest, limestone karst formations, rivers, and a vast man-made lake. Established in 1980, the park is believed to be part of one of the oldest rainforests in the world, even older than the Amazon. It provides a haven for a wide variety of wildlife, including elephants, gibbons, hornbills, and even the elusive clouded leopard. For visitors, the park’s combination of dramatic scenery and rich biodiversity makes it a must-see destination.

Khao Sok National Park

Views across Cheow Lan Lake in Khao Sok National Park, where limestone cliffs rise steeply above the water and dense rainforest stretches down to the shoreline. The lake’s calm surface reflects the dramatic scenery, creating a serene and timeless atmosphere.
A panoramic view of Cheow Lan Lake with striking cloud formations hanging above the karst cliffs. The dramatic sky adds an almost otherworldly feeling to the already impressive landscape.
Clouds drifting low over the limestone mountains of Khao Sok create a moody and atmospheric scene. The interplay of mist, jungle, and rugged cliffs highlights the park’s raw, untamed beauty.
Khao Sam Kloe, the famous trio of limestone rocks rising out of Cheow Lan Lake, has become an iconic landmark of Khao Sok National Park. Their striking silhouette against the water captures the essence of this unique landscape.

Macaques

Life among macaques is full of interaction – from sitting quietly together to grooming rituals that strengthen social bonds. These scenes give a glimpse into the complex hierarchy and relationships within the troop.
Individual portraits of macaques: one perched high on a tree branch, gazing upwards, while another seems to show off her “makeup,” with striking red markings around the eyes. Both images capture their curious and expressive nature.
A family moment on a bamboo trunk: a mother macaque with two little ones clinging to her. A tender glimpse into the daily life of these primates.

As entertaining as it was to watch them, the macaques weren’t just busy among themselves – they also tried their luck with me. While I was focused on photographing the troop, a group sneaked up on my unattended backpack, clearly hoping for snacks. The situation escalated into a brief but nerve-wracking standoff with the alpha male, who was surprisingly determined to claim my gear. Luckily, I managed to win the backpack back, but it was a close call – and a reminder that in monkey territory, nothing is ever truly safe.

Gibbons

From a distance, a family of gibbons can be seen sitting together at the very top of a tree. Their dark fur and white eye-rings stand out against the green canopy nad blue sky.
Individual gibbons resting closer to view – one perched quietly on a branch, another among bamboo trunks, pausing in between bites of food. These moments show a calmer side of the forest’s most agile residents.
At one point, while photographing this particular gibbon sitting above me, I noticed almost too late that his intentions weren’t friendly he was lining up for something other than a jump. Just in time, I stepped aside to avoid a well-aimed attempt at peeing on me. A close call, and a reminder that in the jungle, particularly the cute looking animals can have mischievous streaks.

Small Creatures of the Jungle and Beach

Colorful lizards are a common sight in Southeast Asia, often blending into their surroundings with surprising skill despite their bright hues.
Caterpillars in the tropics come in an incredible variety of shapes and colors – a reminder of the region’s rich biodiversity.
Crabs scuttle across the beaches in great numbers, quick to vanish into their burrows at the slightest disturbance.
Hermit crabs recycle discarded shells for protection.

Mu Ko Lanta National Park

A serene view of the most southern tip of the island of Koh Lanta, where jungle, beach, and sea come together with a lighthouse keeping watch over the bay.
Hidden deep in the jungle, this waterfall offered a refreshing reward after a challenging hike through water and thick vegetation – the perfect place to cool off in the tropical heat.

Reflections on the Journey

With these final images the Thailand and Vietnam series comes to an end. It began with the landscapes and cities of northern Vietnam, from Ninh Binh to Ha Long Bay and beyond. From there the journey moved south through Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City, before crossing borders into Thailand. Two articles have now captured some of the country’s most striking highlights – from the temples of Bangkok and Chiang Rai, to the wildlife, mountains, and jungles of Chiang Mai and the dramatic scenery of the south.

Looking back, I can wholeheartedly recommend Thailand as a holiday destination. There is a good reason why it ranks among the most popular places to travel: the people are incredibly friendly, the landscapes are varied and beautiful, the food is outstanding, and overall it offers everything you could wish for in a trip.
Vietnam, on the other hand, was a bit more difficult for us. The constant presence of chaotic traffic meant that we never truly felt safe – motorbikes seemed to appear everywhere, even on sidewalks, and more than once we were nearly run over.
The people, too, were not quite as welcoming as in Thailand, often showing warmth only when money was involved.
And then there is the trash problem. Sadly, it was impossible to ignore: on the streets, in the woods, in the rivers, and particularly in the sea while swimming. It is a real shame, because the natural beauty of the country deserves so much better. I'd like to provide a specific and very visual example below.

Ninh Binh landscape
This image was part of the first article: A tranquil lake surrounded by limestone hills in Ninh Binh – the kind of scenery Vietnam is so famous for.

But this image only tells part of the story. I also captured the same scene with my phone, this time in portrait orientation, which revealed what was just outside the camera frame. The contrast between the breathtaking natural landscape in the background and the waste piled up in the foreground was striking, and unfortunately very typical for what we experienced in Vietnam.

Ninh Binh landscape with trash
The same scene in Ninh Binh, this time including the foreground – a stark reminder of the country’s ongoing trash problem.

That said, I would not want to end on a negative note. Despite its challenges, the trip as a whole was a fantastic experience. From spectacular temples and wildlife encounters to the simple joy of exploring new places, there was so much to discover. And in the end, that is what travel is about.

Thanks for reading!


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