Thailand: 9 Days in the Kingdom, a photographic book commemorating the auspicious occasion of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 80th birthday, will be launched in December 2007.

With over 350 photos illustrating every imaginable aspect of Thailand today, including the economy, the regions, rural and city life, urban development, tourism, fashion, arts and crafts, and various other aspects, the book will be a dramatic record of the change and development that have been achieved in Thailand during the reign of His Majesty.

A team of 55 top photographers from 19 countries are in the Kingdom of Thailand from January 14 to 22, 2007. They include 11 Thai and 44 international photojournalists from Europe, America and Asia, portrait photographers, documentary photographers and specialists in fields such as aerial, nature, lifestyle and underwater photography.

All these photographers have been given their individual assignments, allowing them to capture images of life throughout Thailand according to their talents. Mr Surat Osathanugrah, Chairman of the Editorial Advisory Board, said: ‘Thailand: 9 Days in the Kingdom is not just an ordinary book, but a “visual time capsule”.’

The book Thailand: 9 Days in the Kingdom will be produced in full colour, with 288 pages, 255 mm x 355 mm (portrait) and published in English, Japanese, French and probably several other languages, and will be sold around the world. In Thailand, the book will be on sale by December 2007 at a price of 1,750 Baht.

The publisher Editions Didier Millet, and sponsors of the project will jointly donate Baht 9,000,000 to His Majesty the King for charitable use.

PHOTOGRAPHERS PROFILE
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PHOTOGRAPHERS’ ASSIGNMENTS
Aerial. South. North. Central/Northeast. Bangkok and Surrounds.

AERIAL
Yann Arthus-Bertrand
Thailand from above: aerial shots of the city, countryside and islands

SOUTH
Surat Osathanugrah
Thai-Chinese way of life/influence (Bangkok/Phuket)

Abbas
Life, culture, architecture and conflict in the Deep South (Pattani etc)

Bruno Barbey
Tsunami recovery and sea gypsies (Khao Lak and southern Ranong)

John Everingham
Khao Sok National Park, paragliding, Phuket activities/tourism/villages (Phuket)

Michael Freeman
Night on a fishing boat and Hua Hin (Bangkok/Hua Hin)

Ernest Goh
Southern beaches, tourism, activities, lifestyle (Trang/Koh Tarutao)

Jeremy Horner
Unique character and culture of Songkhla province (Songkhla)

Steve McCurry
Buddhism (Surat Thani/Bangkok vicinity)

Gilles Sabrié
Following nohra arts troupe from Songkhla to Bangkok

Nat Sumanatemeya
Underwater, diving, reefs, tropical (Andaman sea)

Charoon Thongnual
Industry, culture and conflict in the Deep South (Pattani etc)

Eric Valli
Bird’s nest gathering (Phang Nga Bay)

Vicente Wolf
Interiors and exteriors, from markets to hotels (Bangkok/Phuket)

NORTH
Olivier Föllmi
East Lanna culture (Nan)

Helen Kudrich
Northern villages, artisans (Lower Mae Hong Sorn loop)

Suthep Kritsanavarin
Wildlife (Huay Kha Khaeng)

Palani Mohan
Elephants, people and environment (Umphang)

Martin Reeves
Hill tribe villages and Sukhothai heritage site (Chiang Rai/Sukhothai)

Jörg Sundermann
Chiang Mai: contemporary lifestyle, arts and architecture (Chiang Mai)

Duangdao Suwunarungsi
Nature (Chiang Dao/Doi Inthanon/Doi Angkhang)

Peter Turnley
Northern life, people, nature (Upper Mae Hong Son loop)

Michael Yamashita
Landscapes along the Mekong River (Nong Khai/Mekong)

CENTRAL/NORTHEAST
Waranun Chutchawantipakorn
Western Thailand (Kanchanaburi/Sangkhlaburi)

Laura El-Tantawy
Festivals and the arts

Romeo Gacad
Rice farming (Singburi/Uthai Thani)

Rio Helmi
Isaan heartland and provincial urban life (KhonKaen/Udon Thani)

Hans Hoefer
Industries and activities of Isaan (Khao Yai/Khorat)

Bohnchang Koo
Far Isaan: culture, markets and food (Ubon Ratchathani)

Jan Matthysen
Wildlife and jungle (Khao Yai)

Dominic Sansoni
Life on the river (Bangkok/Ayutthaya)

Anuchai Secharunputong
Reverence for the King and Thai domestic life/old markets (Central area)

Kaku Suzuki
Heritage sites, ancient history (Ayutthaya/Lop Buri/Phimai /Surin)

BANGKOK AND SURROUNDS
Shahidul Alam
Portraits and details of Thai iconography

Egbert Brehm
Historical landmarks

Chang Chien-Chi
Construction sites

Carlos Freire
Classical Thai arts, Thai music conservatory, dance and art school

David Alan Harvey
Bangkok at night: bars, clubs and streets

Jeff Hutchens
Bangkok at large: labour, the poor and Pattaya

Greg Gorman
Thai boxing and the ‘Beautiful Boxer’

Gerhard Jörén
Blind community and modern and traditional medicine

Richard Kalvar
Bangkok at large: people, activities, neighbourhoods

Catherine Karnow
Superstitions, shrines, fortune tellers, dog spas and more

Robert McLeod
Siam Square portraits and interiors

James Nachtwey
Caring for HIV/Aids and TB patients

Gueorgui Pinkhassov
Police, ‘Poh Tek Tung’ and night markets

Kraipit Phanvut
The Royal Family and activities

Nat Prakobsantisuk
Fashion shoot

Raghu Rai
Religious diversity, Buddhist alms, blessings, merit-making

Guido Alberto Rossi
The Royal Thai Military

S. C. Shekar
Bangkok modern: interiors, exteriors and architecture

Ben Simmons
Bangkok future: Suvarnabhumi Airport, skytrain, malls etc

Tara Sosrowardoyo
Film and TV industry

Manit Sriwanichpoom
High-society portraits

Dow Wasiksiri
Thai youth culture, students

A special agreement has been made with Thailand’s Ministry of Defence, who will assist with the assignment of Italian photographer Guido Alberto Rossi. He will be covering different aspects of military life in the Kingdom.

Also with the co-operation of the Ministry of Defence, aerial photographs of many parts of the country will be specially taken by French photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand, known for his worldwide-bestseller Earth From Above.

Thailand: 9 Days in the Kingdom will also involve the making of a film documentary by MCOT TV Channel 9, one of the project sponsors. Eight film crews (four from MCOT and four provided by the Publisher) will follow 16 of the photographers on their photographic missions.

THAILAND: 9 DAYS IN THE KINGDOM IS CARBON NEUTRAL
Aware of the greenhouse-gas emissions (GHG) generated by his operations, the photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand has decided to reduce his impact on the climate by financing projects involving renewable energy, energy efficiency and reforestation.

ActionCarbone.org, a programme headed by the NGO GoodPlanet.org and supported by ADEME (the governmental French Agency for Environment and Energy Management), proposes to companies, institutions and individuals that they should offset their CO2 emissions by financing such projects.

Through ActionCarbone.org, Thailand: 9 Days in the Kingdom project, which is expected to generate 137 tonnes of CO2 emissions (because of the international travel required) has been offset: 2,000 Euros will be invested in an energy-efficiency project in Cambodia.

SPONSORS
This project was made possible with the collaboration of distinguished sponsors. They include the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Thai Airways International Public Company Limited, Bangkok Post, Boon Rawd Brewery Co. Ltd., Canon Marketing (Thailand) Co. Ltd., CAT Telecom Public Company Limited, Chevron Thailand Exploration and Production, Ltd., CPB Equity Co. Ltd., DTAC, Dusit Hotels and Resorts, The Dusit Thani, Bangkok, Eurocopter South East Asia, FUJIFILM (Thailand) Limited, The James H. W. Thompson Foundation / Jim Thompson Thai Silk Company, MCOT Public Company Limited, Ministry of Defence, Osotspa Co. Ltd., Raimon Land PLC, Royal Princess Hotels & Resorts, Siam Cement Group, Siam Commercial Bank Public Co. Ltd., Spa Advertising Co. Ltd., and The Thai Beverage Public Company Limited.

THE EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD
The project will be guided by an Editorial Advisory Board comprising the following:

Dr. Chirayu Isarangkun na Ayuthaya – Honorary Chairman
Director-General, Bureau of the Crown Property

Mr. Surat Osathanugrah – Chairman
Chairman, Osotspa Co. Ltd.

Board Members
Dr. Suvit Yodmani
Minister of Tourism and Sports, Thailand

Mr. Tej Bunnag
Advisor to the Office of His Majesty’s Principal Private Secretary
The Grand Palace

General Winai Phattiyakul
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence

Mr. Sakthip Krairiksh
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism and Sports

Mr. Khwankeo Vajarodaya
Grand Chamberlain, Bureau of the Royal Household

Khunying Jada Wattanasiritham
President and Chief Executive Officer, Siam Commercial Bank Public Co. Ltd.

Mr. Apinan Sumanaseni
President, Thai Airways International

Mr. Somchainuk Engtrakul
Chairman, Thai Military Bank Public Co. Ltd.

Mr. Staporn Kavitanon
Vice Chairman, Bangkok Bank Public Co. Ltd.

Ms. Juthamas Siriwan
Senior Advisor, Tourism Authority of Thailand

Source:
Thailand: Nine Days in the Kingdom press kit and release dated 15 January 2007

Project Team
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Web site:
www.9days-inthekingdom.com

MEDIA CONTACT
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