How did it all start?
As a kid, I just never left home. I’d just stay in and play games. When I studied photography, I suddenly had to go out and take pictures in Bangkok. I found out that it is such a huge city. I went to places that I never knew existed! So when I got this fund from the government last year, to do research encouraging young people to take part in cultural tourism in Bangkok, I decided to create the Big Bangkok project with tiny human models narrating just how big Bangkok is. I figured it might attract young people more than just taking beautiful pictures of the city. So I kind of took these figures on an adventure in the big city.
Where do you find those tiny models?
They’re train models. I tried to buy them in Thailand but it’s really hard to find. I ended up buying them from Ebay.
How do people react when they see you playing with these little toys on the street?
They always stare at me when I lay down on the street to take photos to create that effect of a big world and tiny models. But they are just curious.
What’s your gear?
I’m using Canon 5D MarkII and Fuji XM1. Then I will process the pictures in Lightroom to get the colors I want.
What do you love most about Bangkok?
I love that Bangkok is a blend of old and modern. We’re really developed but we still have old architectural sites in the city such as the palace, temples, monuments and old communities.
Would you like the city to change in any way?
As I always struggled to find a parking spot while I did this project, I want Bangkok to have very effective mass transportation. I want to see 10 train lines crisscrossing Bangkok like other big metropolises. It would be awesome!
Is your message being heard?
Thais should explore Bangkok more! I’ve found that many of the places I go to are only visited by foreigners who come to admire our cultural sites-but I barely ever saw Thai people doing that.
What’s next for you?
The Big Bangkok Project has actually finished as I’ve shot the 30 places I planned to shoot for the project already. Now I just keep doing it for fun. That’s why I started using other models such as Doraemon! As I’m doing my Ph.D. in London, I’ve started doing the same project, there too. I might call it Large London.
