Doi Tung

• Prize
• Photographer
  Lek Kiatsirikajorn, Thailand

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.