GALLERY: Vijayadashami Festival 2022

Despite living in Bangkok for over a decade I was previously unaware of the annual Viyajadashami Festival, until a journalist friend told me about it. So I headed down to Silom and found absolute mayhem – huge crowds, smoke, guys chopping up coconuts with machetes, and, for some reason, the biggest gathering of ladyboys this side of Nana.

Vijayadashami is a Hindu festival celebrating the triumph of good over evil, and it also heralds the start of preparations for Diwali, the Festival of Light, which begins 20 days after Vijayadashami.

It was great fun, although difficult shooting conditions with the huge crowds and the fact I left my favourite lens at home. But I got some great shots and will definitely go back next year.