Considered part of the “Far East,” both Singapore and Bangkok offer unique photographic opportunities, especially to the “western” photographer. Both Singapore and Bangkok (Thailand) are situated in the Malay Peninsula, with Singapore creating the southern tip of the peninsula, while the central and northeast regions makes up the south part of Thailand. Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, and Singapore are less than 900 miles (1500 kilometres) apart, however flights to Thailand and flights to Singapore can vary in price as much as $1000, so it is wise to check ahead, as there are many travel options between the two cities. A Bangkok flight from New York, for instance, can cost upwards of $1500-$2000, round trip, so keep that in mind when making your travel plans. Hotel prices can be quiet reasonable, however, but it’s wise to plan the trip well in advance to get the best deals. But enough about getting there, let’s take a quick look at what you can photograph once you’re there.

Starting with Singapore (officially the Republic of Singapore), which consists of of 63 islands, including the main island itself - each offering unique photographs of sunrises and sunsets right on the ocean. The relative humidity, however, is around 90% in the morning and 60% in the afternoon, so it’s important to properly store and take care of your equipment as you bring it inside and out. June and July are the hottest months (and generally the best for photographing the area), while November and December make up the wetter monsoon season. From August to October, there is often haze due to bush fires in neighbouring Indonesia which can create some unique colors in the sky, but also tends to give all of your photographs a hazy washed-out look. While Singapore is now mainly an urban area, approximately 23% still consists of forest and nature reserves, allowing you to photograph a lot of exotic foliage and animals. Of course, the most common photographs are usually of the city itself, as the architecture of Singapore is extremely distinct, reflecting the ethnic build-up of the country.

A Panoramic of Downtown Singapore

Singapore also features several ethnic neighbourhoods including Chinatown and Little India - both offer a flavoured experience to the western photographer interested in street photography. The urban expanse of Singapore also displays numerous unique religious structures built before the first world war including the Sri Mariamman Temple, the Masjid Jamae Mosque and the Church of Gregory the Illuminator. The downtown core of Singapore is also a centre for postmodern architecture, with varying patterns and lines that could have you photographing a single building for hours. During holidays - especially the Chinese new Year (by far the biggest holiday celebrated in Singapore) - expect to photograph wild colors and decorations including tinsel, lamps, costumes parades and more. Click here for more information on the various holidays and festivals you can expect. All in all, there are literally thousands of different amazing photographic locations in the small country of Singapore - just make sure you plan your trip so you can get to some of the key beaches, buildings, nature parks, islands and, of course, the streets.

Beaches of Thailand

while I could write several posts on Thailand itself (or probably a whole book!), we’ll focus just on the capital city of Bangkok. Bangkok is the 22nd most populous city in the world and, although Bangkok has roughly 7 million registered inhabitants, the actual population is much higher, and including commuters from the surrounding areas that reaches 10 to 15 million people during the day. Needless to say, there’s lots of city and people to photograph. Most of Bangkok’s sights are concentrated in the “Old City” on Rattanakosin Island, which is known for the large sections of green within the city centre, including a large forest park. While the inner city still lacks vegetation, these large parks/mini forests offer a great break from street photography during the warmer hours of the day.

Lumphini Park lies in the heart of the main business district and is one of the few places still patrolled by mounted policemen. It features numerous events, concerts, etc, as well as the location of the city’s first public library and dance hall. Bangkok is considered to be one of the world’s top tourist hot-spots and is currently Asia’s top tourist destination. The city boasts some of the country’s most visited historical venues such as the Grand Palace, Wat Arun and the various monuments and statues. Bangkok is Thailand’s major tourist gateway with an estimated 15 million visitors arriving in Bangkok every year. Expect to see a lot of camera’s floating around - but keep your hands and eyes on your equipment at all time, as petty crimes are not uncommon on the streets of Bangkok, and laptops and cameras are at the top of the frequently stolen items list. A cruise down the Chao Praya River is a great way to see and photograph a large number of sites in Bangkok. Boat tours will take you to explore the history of Thai temples around the river. In addition to a relaxing boat ride, you’ll also get information and commentary on all the locations you will be photographing. Take advantage of the numerous “touristy” tours around town, and you’re bound to enjoy yourself as well as capture hundreds of great photographs.

Downtown Bangkok, Thailand