Doi Tung is a place in a mountain in the north of Thailand. In the past the locals around the area used to illegally grow opium and sell it for their living. The area was deforested to make way for the product.
In 1987, the Princess Mother and Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana paid a visit to Doi Tung, and decided to set up the Doi Tung Development Project to help the locals who were struggling for survival. It is a holistic and integrated sustainable development.
They have initiated different kinds of business for the locals. One of the businesses is Sa paper hand-made factory. These photos are portraits of the locals who work in the Sa paper factory with their pride and self-esteem.
Lek is a Thai photographer based in Bangkok. After graduating in fine arts from Bangkok, he went on to study photography and work in England. He came back home in 2008, and has extensively been exhibiting internationally since he came back.
Lek was selected by the Quai Branly Museum in Paris for the 2012 photography grant. The series produced with the grant will be displayed in Paris in October 2013.
He was also one of the 20 photographers selected for G20 Russia Photo Expedition. The expedition was supported by Ria Novosti. The project is connected to the upcoming G20 Summit in September 2013 in St. Petersburg. Lek’s work from the expedition will be exhibited in St. Petersburg during the G20 summit.
