Bangkok--19 Dec--Maxima Consultants
Not only Thais who recognize His Majesty the King is the Pillar of Stability, the father of a nation, the guiding light .., but foreigners also often express astonishment and deeply grateful respect once they learn of the King’s long standing dedication to Thais. Therefore, remarkable 52 of the world’s most celebrated photographers will gather in Thailand over the period 14—22 January 2007 to create a contemporary portrait of life in the kingdom for ‘Thailand : 9 Days in the Kingdom’ to commemorate His Majesty the King’s 80th birthday. The lavish book will be launched worldwide in December 2007. Part of the proceeds will benefit His Majesty’s various charities.
Among the 52 photographers, ten will be Thai, including Surat Osathanugrah, Manit Sriwanichpoom and Nat Prakobsantisuk. International photojournalists, portrait photographers, documentary photographers, and specialists in fields such as aerial, nature, lifestyle and underwater photography will grace the project. Among the many star names, James Nachtwey is perhaps the most celebrated current news photographer. In November 2006, it was announced that Nachtwey, along with former US president Bill Clinton and biologist Dr E. O. Wilson, had been awarded the 2007 TED Prize, which honours individuals who can impact life positively. The recipients are each granted one wish to change the world and receive US$100,000 to help make this wish come true.
Steve McCurry took the iconic Afghan girl cover shot for National Geographic; Greg Gorman reigns as one of Hollywood’s prime celebrity portraitists; Vicente Wolf is a doyen of interior style; and Kaku Suzuki specialises in World Heritage sites and will record Thailand’s UNESCO-registered historic places.
Another high-profile participant is Yann Arthus-Bertrand, arguably the world’s most famous and accomplished aerial photographer. He is responsible for a great many books showcasing his breathtaking images taken from above, all over the world. The helicopter manufacturer Eurocopter South East Asia has agreed to provide an aircraft for Arthus-Bertrand’s exclusive use for the entire shooting week, prominently marked with the project’s logo.
The roll-call of distinguished names continues: Michael Yamashita, Eric Valli, J?rg Sundermann, Catherine Karnow and several members of leading agencies and accreditations such as Magnum Photos, National Geographic and Getty Images, and many others.
The subject of the book and exhibition will be Thailand in all its moods and moments. Covering every region, from remotest rural idylls to the hippest zones of Bangkok, the project will record the immense changes in the Thai way of life and the intricate traditions that remain. The book will capture over 150,000 shots of life in Thailand and document cultural complexities in a diversity of regional settings including Bangkok in downtown, suburbs and the new Suvarnabhumi Airport; Eastern Seaboard from Pattaya to the islands; Central Plains: featuring historical sites of Ayutthaya, Bang Pa-in, Lopburi and Sukhothai; West: including Phetchaburi, Kanchanaburi and primeval forest reserves; North: featuring Chiang Mai, Lanna and hill tribe cultures, and forest areas; Isaan: tracing Mekong life and Khmer heritage sites and South: its famous beaches, cliffs, mangroves and lagoons and the deep south.
These will form a unique ‘visual time capsule’ that extends the concept of Thailand: 7 Days in the Kingdom, published 20 years ago. Drawing on this heritage, the book will showcase the many ways the country has changed and developed since His Majesty’s 60th Birthday. These rare images will be an inspiration to both Thais and the international community and contribute to the splendour of our artistic and visual tradition.
The book will put the new Thailand in context, focusing on the dramatic architecture, high-tech infrastructure, sophisticated industries and new areas of national lifestyle, from spas, fashion and design to popular culture and the high arts.
This prestigious project is made possible by the collaboration of various sponsors, including Bangkok Post, Boonrawd Brewery, Canon (Thailand), Chevron, CPB Equity, Dusit Hotels & Resorts, Dusit Thani Hotel, Eurocopter South East Asia, Osotspa, Raimon Land, Royal Princess Hotels, Siam Cement Group, Siam Commercial Bank, Spa Advertising, Thai Airways International, The Jim Thompson Foundation / The Thai Silk Company and Tourism Authority of Thailand.
Thailand: 9 Days in the Kingdom goes beyond the surface clich?s to show the kingdom’s full range of qualities, which include new revelations and time-honoured treasures. The book will be launched worldwide in December 2007 and is priced at Baht 1,750.
For more information, please contact
Spa Advertising Maxima Consultants
Valeerat Singkivibul Suchinda, Saegnapa, Panadda
Tel: 662 2590310-7 ext 191 Tel 662 -2434-8300, 2434-8547
Click for photo release at www.thaipr.net