TRAVELKOH CHANwith Hua Hin’s photographersSTORY & PHOTOS: Golf Jutamas (Fotoplus Huahin)UNDERWATER PHOTOS: Krichsura KotruroENGLISH TRANSCRIPT EDITOR: Richard Campbell

01 MMAG. / TRAVEL

Being a member of The Hua Hin Photos Club, I have an opportunity to get to know many photographers, both professionals and amateurs who reside in the Hua Hin area. We share a common interest and like to pass on our own knowledge, experiences and show our works by using the social media. Furthermore, the club also regularly organizes photo trips to different places. The most recent of which was a 2 day trip, which took us from Hua Hin to Prachuap Khiri Khan. There we went snorkelling at Koh Chan, relaxed and enjoyed a pleasant Thai lunch at Aao Manoa Beach, walked in the sea to a small local island and visited a unique Thai temple. We met with a local coconut farmer and watched the sunset at a lotus swamp. However, was not without danger, when 4 of our club members where stung by wasps, luckily all were able to get to hospital in time where they received anti allergic medication and had no further reactions to the wasp stings. A special mention and a big thank you to our host photographer, DJ Oat, who not only showed us many unseen photogenic places in the area but was a huge help to us in that awful situation.

The photo trip began early in the morning. We left Hua Hin at 5.00 a.m. and went south by a minivan to Wanakorn National Park, Klong Waarn, Prachuap Khiri Khan. After one and half hours traveling from Hua Hin, we finally reached our destination at the National Park. As it was still dark when we left Hua Hin, it was not until we got nearer to the park, that we could finally see any of the surrounding scenery. As the sun rose high we could now see coconut fields on both sides of the road, to our right was a majestic landscape of beautiful mountains and lush valleys which border the barrier between Myanmar (Burma) and Thailand.About 7a.m having arrived safely we made our way onto the beach area at the Wanakorn National Park, and prepared ourselves for snorkelling.Our group leader and trip organizer, Krichsura Kotruro (Nohng) had planned and had previously arranged the trip with the Park’s staff in advance, so a big thank you. Having got our snorkelling equipment, lunch boxes and drinks together, we stepped into the speedboat and headed towards the outlying island a short distance away.

TIPS FOR TAKING PHOTO UNDER WATER1. Choose your photo gear wisely and

know how to care and secure your gear underwater.

2. Find the right depth and light combination for your subject. Shallow depths and bright sunlight can produce beautiful images in a colourful coral garden or even contrasting against a sandy bottom.

3. Consider the background when shooting reef fish. It’s easier to shoot fish that contrast with their background than to capture well-camouflaged subjects.

4. Get as close to your subject as possible. Many reef fish look more beautiful at close range, and you may get greater saturation of their intricate colour details. Use your camera’s zoom feature when necessary (try not to over use).

5. Don’t forget your sun block.

02 MMAG. / TRAVEL

The beach at Koh Chan was stunningly beautiful, with crystal clear water. Close to this island is another called Koh Thaisi, both being protected bird sanctuary zones. However, remaining at the beach is permitted but venturing into the island is not. But that said, the spectacular views we were able to see from our location were truly beautiful and a photogenic examination of our skills to fully show and justify the brilliance of this small island. In fact l soon forgot about the snorkelling and continued to concentrate upon this opportunity to take more and more photos. I would like to come back again and if possible at the same time of the day, early morning or late afternoon when it’s the best time for taking seascape photos; the low angle of the sun draws out the shadows and reveals wonderful textures on the rocks. It is also allows you longer exposure time than during daylight and with this longer exposure you can bring out your creativity to the maximum so that you can fully justify the beauty of these islands in your pictures.

If your love is snorkelling, then you can’t miss this. At Koh Chan, you can safely snorkel from the beach and it’s not far for you to swim before you see colourful fishes, corals and many of the magnificent sea anemones (Heteractis magnifica); which look like a flower and have a bright purple colour. This area is the closest to Hua Hin, where you can snorkel and see the beautiful Gulf of Thailand in all its glory underwater.

We had a wonderful lunch on the beach followed by some relaxation, before we headed back to the mainland and our next stop, Ao Manao …The story continues in our next issue.

WANAKORN NATIONAL PARK DETAILS: Is located 23 km from Prachuap Khiri Khan, a 38sq km park centred on a beautiful 7 km pine fringed beach. Camping is permitted. Snorkelling around the offshore islands, swimming, hiking and bird watching are among its major attractions. Admission is 200 baht per person. Accommodation facilities are available.

ADDRESSMu 7 Tambon Huai Yang, Amphoe Thap Sakae, Prachuap Khiri KhanTel. 0 3264 6290, 0 3261 9030 Website: www.dnp.go.th/parkreserve/asp/style1/accommodation.asp

HOW TO GET THERE?By Car: Drive along Soi 4, Petchakasem, from Bangkok to Prachub Kirikant, about 345 km, to Amphoe Tam Skare not far from Prachuap Khiri Khan Province about 23 km.

By Train: You can take a train at Wang Duan station or Huay Yang and then get a car or a motorcycle taxi.

By bus: Take a normal bus from Bangkok to this national park which costs you about 150 baht or by an air-conditioned bus which costs about 210 baht.