Capturing Bangkok: Temples, Markets & a River

Bangkok is a fascinating mix of ancient tradition and modern energy. Ornate temples and centuries-old Buddhist sites sit alongside massive malls, busy markets, and one of the most dynamic cities in Southeast Asia. During my four days there, I explored temples, wandered through enormous markets, and photographed life along the Chao Phraya River, constantly struck by how the old and new exist side by side throughout the city.

I stayed near the river in a hotel surrounded by a busy local market, which made for a lively introduction to the city. Just a short walk away I came across a neighborhood Buddhist temple and began my day exploring its beautifully ornate architecture, the kind of everyday temple that simply serves the local community.

My next stop was Wat Arun, one of Bangkok’s most famous temples. Its towering stupa and intricate details make it an incredible place to photograph.

I spent the evening photographing Wat Arun from across the river at sunset. After a brief moment of panic dealing with dust on my camera sensor, I managed to capture several dusk images that ended up being some of my favorites from the trip.

The next day I climbed up to Wat Saket, also known as the Golden Mount. The temple sits on top of a hill and offers a great view overlooking Bangkok. By this point I had already seen more Buddha statues than I could count. Bangkok certainly does not lack temples.

I started the next day exploring the local Pak Khlong Talat Flower Market. It was very local and authentic, which made it fun to photograph. There were many types of flowers, fruits and vegetables for sale, but the number of marigolds was crazy!

One thing I noticed while photographing Bangkok was the color everywhere you look. The temples have beautiful tropical plants on the grounds, water lilies sit in temple ponds, and markets are filled with fresh fruits and vegetables. For photographers, these everyday scenes offer simple opportunities to create strong compositions and capture the character of the city.

Staying along the Chao Phraya River ended up being one of my favorite parts of Bangkok. I used ferries and small boats to get around the city, which gave me a great perspective of life along the water. In the evenings, I loved sitting by the river with a local Thai beer, reading my book and watching the steady stream of boats glide past as the city slowly lit up for the night.

After that I visited Wat Pho, one of the most impressive temple complexes in Bangkok. The highlight is the enormous reclining Buddha, but the surrounding architecture and colorful details throughout the grounds are just as fascinating.

One surprising scene around many of the temples was the number of women renting traditional Thai clothing and having professional photos taken. They were everywhere, turning the temple grounds into what felt like a giant photo set.

At Wat Pho I saw three young women dressed in traditional Thai clothing taking photos of each other. I asked if I could photograph them and they happily agreed. One of those portraits ended up being one of my favorite images from the entire trip.

On my final day I explored the spectacular Temple of the Emerald Buddha, located within the grounds of the Grand Palace. The buildings are incredibly ornate and filled with intricate details that reflect Thailand’s long history and cultural traditions.

I also spent some time walking along Yaowarat Road in Bangkok’s Chinatown. Like many Chinatowns around the world, it was busy and full of interesting sights. This is where there are a lot of food vendors at night, but I was staying on the other side of the river and didn’t want to get “stuck” on that side and have to take a cab late at night. Taking a boat was much easier.

Bangkok is a city of contrasts. Ancient temples sit beside modern neighborhoods, and chaotic markets exist alongside quiet moments along the river.

For photographers, it offers endless subjects, from intricate architecture to everyday street scenes. My favorite moments were photographing Wat Arun at sunset, exploring the beauty of Wat Pho, and capturing a memorable portrait in traditional Thai dress.