Chợ

At a small market in Saigon 

District 11, Saigon

While filming today, 9 year old Le Phuoc curiously watched on and asked questions about our camera gear. While the camera was rolling, he would stand behind it and make sure all was running smoothly. While I was rolling film with a long lens (a task which can require some stamina after a while), Phuoc tried to take pics with my other small camera which I had wrapped around my shoulder.

While the camera was still rolling, he beckoned me to join him. He kept pointing around the corner. Unfortunately, I was busy working, so I had to wait while he frantically tried to convince me to come around the corner. Finally, the last frame was framed and shot. I went around the corner to join him.

Sitting around the corner was his brother. The only way to describe the site, heartbreaking. The 13 year old boy sat without pants while his mother fed him food. She described how they lived in a rented house by the river. She said the place was dirty and often infested with mosquitos. Through the interview which we had just been filming, I had learnt that in the monsoonal seasons, rainwater from the canal that sat adjacent to the rented family home would often flood; filling the place with putrid rotting rubbish and plastic refuse. The boys name was Le Ngoc Chai. He was both deaf and dumb. His mother said that he was like a stone which urinated and defected. His mother fed him when she saw fit because he was unable to signal when he was hungry. The family received no concessions from the state or non government organisations.

Ngoc Chai's family obviously love and care for him. It is so sad to see a fellow human in such a sorry state.

Le Phuoc, 9.

Le Ngoc Chai, 13. 

Pre-Election Violence

1 February, Lak Si, Bangkok, Thailand. 

'Respect my Vote' and pro-government protestors gather at Wat Laksi, Bangkok to protest antigovernment protestors blocking access to election ballot papers. At approximately 3 pm, the pro-government protestors moved towards the building which contained the papers. 

Antigovernment protestors amassed at the top of the road which the ballot papers were in. Pro-government defenders picked up poles to defend the rest of the pro-government protestors.  

Antigovernment protestors fortify the road leading to the government building containing ballot papers. Slightly off frame was a man who had a blanket around him. The antigovernment guards told us he had a cough. It was pretty obvious he was concealing a weapon. 

Antigovernment protestors drove to the intersection which the red protestors had settled. Angry pro-government protestors started throwing rocks and improvised explosives at the antigovernment protestors.

Antigovernment protestors responded with gunfire. This red protestor had a bullet graze his rib. 

Antigovernment protestors crouch to take cover from rocks and improvised explosives.

An antigovernment protestor takes cover and keeps watch for red shirt protestors.

Antigovernment protestors start firing with an automatic rifle.

Antigovernment protestors fire an automatic rifle. 

James Nachtwey shortly before he was shot through the leg. Fortunately, no serious damage was done and he was back shooting the next morning.

An antigovernment protestor uses a slingshot to fire fireworks and improvised explosives. 

An antigovernment protestor fires a submachine gun. 

Photographer Nikolaj Svennevig runs for cover after gunfire escalated where we were taking cover. 

Advanced Poling

Security guards lock the gates at Banbangkapi High School in response to threats by antigovernment protestors. 

A lone protestor sits and meditates in protest at a closed Sukhumvit poling booth. The protestor is facing towards a bunch of antigovernment protestors

Election officials remove ballot boxes and other election materials from a closed Sukhumvit poling booth. 

Election officials remove ballot boxes and other election materials from a closed Sukhumvit poling booth.

Empty poling stations at Wat Sri lam. This poling box was sealed shortly after the image was taken.

A police officer looks on as election officials being closing the Wat Sri lam poling booth. Approximately one hour after this image was taken, Sutin Tharati, a predominant antigovernment protest leader was shot and killed and nine others injured outside Wat Sri Lam.

'Evidence' found at a car near the site of the shooting. From my understanding, the car swerved to stop the assassins from following the convoy. 

The injured and deceased were rushed to Wipawan Hospital

A man who was aboard the targeted truck. The man claimed that Sutin Tharati's body fell from the to of the truck and landed on him. He checked himself for injuries and realised the blood was from the victims. He thanked his amulet and charms. 

Sutin Tharati's hat. 

Grieving relatives at the Wipawan Hospital

Slowpaced Trainwreck.

Bangkok Shutdown. 

Protestors set up a large marquee to provide shade during the midday sun. Asok Intersection 

Protestors sleep in the tray of their ute, Lumphini.

Early morning, Lumphini

Protestors hurl insults at police and conspire to enter the Metropolitan Police Headquarters.

Protestors at the front of the Metropolitan Police Headquarters

Protestors at the Metropolitan Police Headquarters

A few hours after a deadly explosion, protestors fortify road blocks to major protest sites. 

Lat Phrao

Bored emergency medical staff. 

Lat Phrao. A former French Foreign Legion mercenary uses a scope to search for snipers in a nearby building. 

Backstage at MBK protest site. 

A street vendor restocks a stand of whistles - a symbol synonymous with protest in Bangkok. I would be happy if I were permitted to smash every fucking one. 

Security at the Lumphini site check the papers of people entering. 

Security stop a taxi. 

Security guard.

Bangkok Shutdown

Anti-Government protestors gather at the Victory Monument, Bangkok, Thailand. 

Slawka

My friend Tash, Amy, and I were walking down Brunswick Street when we noticed Slawka waiting for a tram. Tash went to grab my camera to take a shot but I kind of desperately wanted to talk to him and find out who he was and what his story was. I guess in a way, it was like a camera cock block? (Sorry Tash!!!)

Slawka is a poet, performer, actor, and inspired Chrissy Amphlett's dress sense.

I quickly grabbed a couple of shots, exchanged emails, and will be catching up with him to see a punk band next Sat. 

Slawka