LAURA EL-TANTAWY

PROJECTS: SMILE ME HELLO

Various locations, Thailand

This work was produced while on assignment for Thailand: 9 Days in the Kingdom, a project involving 55 photographers from around the world to produce a book telling the story of modern-day Thailand as a dedication to Thai king, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, on his 80th birthday.

Petchara Sonthi, 29, applies lipstick as part of her make-up routine while readying to perform Lamtad, Thai traditional antiphonal talking, at the annual Sukhothai festival and sound and light show held at the Sukhothai Historical Park.
  
Dancers in the annual Sukhothai festival and sound and light show held at the Sukhothai Historical Park.
  
Dancers in traditional costume readying to perform in the annual Sukhothai festival and sound and light show held at the Sukhothai Historical Park.
     
  
Following hours of intricate make-up application and costume preparation, a variety dance group takes to the stage during the annual Sukhothai festival and sound and light show held at the Sukhothai Historical Park.
  
A dancer takes a moment before embarking on stage during the annual Sukhothai festival and sound and light show held at the Sukhothai Historical Park.
  
A woman worn-out by heat walks through one of Bangkok's weekend markets.
     
  
   
A cafe customer reads his newspaper while street traffic goes through one of Suphanburi's oldest street markets.
   
Balloon vendor.
     
  
   
Performers sit for a briefing before facing their audience.
   
     
  
Performer backstage
  
Hours of intricate make-up application produce a highly symmetrical face for this dancer preparing to take the stage in a traditional Thai performance during the annual Sukhothai festival and sound and light show held at the Sukhothai Historical Park.
  
Dancers dressed in their costume backstage before taking part in a stage play to re-enact an ancient battle between Thai and Burmese soldiers where elephants, one of the most significant icons of Thai culture, were used to help soldiers wage battle against enemies.
     
  
Street vendor selling inflattable rubber balls
   
  
Food vendor operating a grill with a towel on her head to shield from the day's heat.
     
  
Performers during the annual Sukhothai festival and sound and light show held at the Sukhothai Historical Park.
  
A costumed performer in a spiritual blessing
   
An array of spectators watching a dance performance at the annual Sukhothai festival and sound and light show held at the Sukhothai Historical Park.
     
  
Lanterns are sent skyward as performers chat backstage
   
Backstage performer
   
Performers group for a spiritual blessing before starting their show.