TEXT & PHOTO: BARRY MACDONALD
(For Thai, press here)
It was an everyday occurrence to bump into all kinds of things being sundried on the street all over Songkhla. Chillies, pork, rice, orange peels, shrimp, fish, squid, durian husks, flowers, tea, egg shells, bread crumbs, cutlery, coffee cups, cats litter tray, clothes, solar batteries and even a prayer mat.
Sometimes there is a lot of talk about traditions and culture, but then you realise they are actually quite recent occurrences. I think sun drying is maybe one of the oldest traditions in Thailand and a link to the past and nature that really grabbed my attention. It’s not only aesthetically beautiful, but also a lovely way to see the important ingredients in the local people’s lives.
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Barry Macdonald (b. 1984) is a freelance photographer from London, England. He started off shooting musicians and found out about the enjoyment of travelling from going on tour with bands around Europe and the USA. His work has evolved into a hybrid of street and documentary. He is interested in sociology and tries to look at culture and human nature through his photography. He has lived in Bangkok, Thailand since 2022.