Bangkok streets through the lens of a Vietnamese tourist.

Quang Ender currently lives and works in Hue. Although he works in an office, his job is quite flexible. Being an introvert and passionate about photography, his life revolves almost entirely around pictures, even though he's not a professional photographer.

"Everyday life photos are also my main style because perhaps: People are captivated by glamour, mesmerized by sophistication, but only shed tears at genuine simplicity from the heart," Quang Ender said.

During his recent trip to Bangkok, in spontaneous moments while walking, Quang Ender took a series of photos mainly in Chinatown, The Artist's House near Bang Phai MRT, and some places he "can't even remember the exact locations of."

These photos were taken by Quang Ender during his short 4-day trip. Normally, he doesn't make a very detailed plan for his trips, other than booking hotel rooms and plane tickets in advance.

"For me, happiness isn't a destination, but a journey. Every moment has its own beauty," Quang Ender shared with Travellive.

Many young people who come to Bangkok mostly frequent shopping malls, and when they return home, they're all laden with bags of souvenirs. For Quang Ender, however, it's just a backpack with three sets of clothes and a camera. He tends to invest in life experiences rather than material possessions. Therefore, strolling through the streets is his way of observing, listening, and understanding life in unfamiliar places more deeply.

"This is my second time returning to Bangkok after a three-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Last time, I went alone during those uncertain years of my youth. Back then, I couldn't afford a camera, so I was really frustrated and just took pictures with my old phone. This time, I decided to travel slowly and take lots of photos, even though the camera I'm using is almost 10 years old," he said.

According to Quang Ender, his impression of Bangkok's streets is that they are very orderly, not pestering tourists, and the public transportation is modern. People habitually queue neatly when boarding the subway, and drivers often proactively yield to pedestrians, even though their speed is sometimes relatively fast.

Street food in Bangkok, and Thai cuisine in general, is often greasy and feels a bit hot due to the sunlight radiating from the concrete. Additionally, fine dust is something Quang Ender dislikes in large cities, not just Bangkok. Therefore, he usually walks outdoors in the early mornings or late afternoons, while at lunchtime he sits in restaurants and cafes to escape the heat.

Quang Ender further shared: "If people ask, 'Should we go to Bangkok?', my answer would be: 'Why not?' I especially remember when I was on the subway, the loudspeaker announcing the next station in both Thai and English: 'Next station.' So, where will your next station be?"

Phuong Thao is an editor at Travellive magazine. She is passionate about traveling and enjoys capturing moments with her camera in every place she visits. Travel, art, and lifestyle are Phuong Thao's favorite writing topics.

Phuong Thao - Photo: Quang Ender