The stories behind the photos, part 3

Our Bangkok Post photographers describe the situations they faced while taking some of the most memorable news photos of the year. In part 3, we see how bravery and quick thinking get the best photos and, most importantly, keep the photographer alive.

Here we see how bravery and quick thinking get the best photos and, most importantly, keep the photographer alive.

Caught in the middle

Pattarapong Chatpattarasill

On Feb 18, riot police moved to retake the Dhamma Army’s anti-government protest site at Phan Fah Bridge on Ratchadamnoen Avenue. I tried to get around the back of the protesters to catch a clear view of the scuffles as the protesters and the police clashed. I put on a mask to protect myself from the tear gas the police were using. As events turned increasingly violent, I crouched on the scorching road surface and ducked the bullets which were flying overhead. Armed police were deployed to protect the riot police squads. I sprinted to cover beside a car. I heard a blast go off a few metres from where I had been crouching minutes earlier. By that point the police had started to retreat and the protesters were regrouping. I found myself caught in the middle, between the police and protesters. I dashed to the side of the road as the firing continued and took cover behind a concrete barrier. — Pattarapong Chatpattarasill

Taking cover

Apichit Jinakul

This photo was taken on Feb 1 during the anti-government protest at the Laksi intersection, where gunshots were fired. I took cover on the second floor of the IT Square shopping mall. I asked the mall security guards to let wounded people come inside. When the doors opened, I waited for the injured to be taken in and followed them. Shortly before that, I took pictures of people crawling toward the mall. — Apichit Jinakul

Table shot

Kosol Nakachol

Here is former education minister Chaturon Chaisaeng being escorted out of the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand on May 27 after voicing his opposition to  the coup. Both Thai and foreign photographers were restricted by the lack of space and the ongoing commotion. I tried in vain to push my way to the front of crowd to take my shots. In the end, I grabbed the nearest table, stood on it and clicked the shutter on my camera. — Kosol Nakachol

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