Photography by Richard Humphries

Photography and Text by Richard Humphries

In Thailand’s deep south region, known for its stunning beaches, vibrant culture, and rich history, there exists a rarely known tradition that is deeply rooted in the hearts of the local people. This tradition is none other than bullfighting, a spectacle that has captivated the local community for generations.

Photography and Text by Richard Humphries

Kingdom’s Edge II represents a small part of my journey to simply document daily life in the Thai deep south and along the Thailand/Malaysia border. A largely forgotten low intensity conflict has been on-going in Thailand’s deep south since 2004, with little to no coverage in the media.

Photography and Text by Richard Humphries

Photography and Text by Richard Humphries

The southern border region of Thailand and Malaysia is plagued by the insidious grip of vice, corruption, and smuggling. With it’s porous borders along the mountainous areas of Yala, the Golok River along much of Narathiwat, and an open sea area along the Patani coastal region, the deep south has become a prime smuggling region.

Photography and Text by Richard Humphries

The insurgency in the Thai deep south has been a persistent and complex challenge for the Thai state. For almost two decades now, the region has experienced a wave of violence, bombings, and targeted attacks. Rooted in a long history of grievances, including political, economic, and religious factors, the insurgency has deeply impacted the daily lives of the people in the affected provinces.

Photography and Text by Richard Humphries

Kingdom’s Edge I represents a small part of my journey to simply document daily life in the Thai deep south and along the Thailand/Malaysia border. A largely forgotten low intensity conflict has been on-going in Thailand’s deep south since 2004, with little to no coverage in the media.

Photography and Text by Richard Humphries

The ordination ceremony, or Buat Nak, is a very important rite of passage for Thai males. Buddhism is an integral part of Thai culture. Thais believe that when a man turns 20, he should be ordained and enter a monastery for a period of time to study dharma, the teachings of the Lord Buddha.

Photography and Text by Richard Humphries

The Lim Kor Niew goddess festival is held every year in Saiburi town, in Pattani province. The festival takes place on the 15th night of the waxing moon of the 3rd month according to the Chinese calendar, or 15 days after the traditional Chinese New Year.

Photography and Text by Richard Humphries

In southern Thailand, day labourers can be seen working incredibly hard to fell rubber trees. These trees are a vital part of the local economy, producing furniture and other products, mostly in Hat Yai city. Many of the day labourers who are felling these trees come from impoverished backgrounds and are seeking work to support themselves and their families.

Photography and Text by Richard Humphries

The Pattani fishing port sits at the mouth of the Pattani river and the Gulf of Thailand in Thailand’s deeps south. It is the largest port in southern Thailand. At it's busiest times it employs hundreds of workers, many of them migrant’s from Burma and Cambodia.