A truck and a wide-angle: How photographer captured the full scale of Bangkok's floods

Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today. Join today Already a member? Log in As a throng of people waded through a flooded street after heavy rain in Bangkok , Thailand, the moment was captured by Sakchai Lalit, a staff photojournalist based in Thailand who has worked with The Associated Press for 33 years. Here’s what Lalit had to say about this extraordinary photo: Why I shot this photo I wanted to capture the flood damage from a wide angle, showing the context of people having difficulty wading through the floodwaters to the main road, and how it even partially submerged cars. How I made this photo I first checked social media and government announcements to identify the hardest-hit areas. Then I worked out the most direct route to a suitable location, allowing plenty of time to capture the image. Appropriate clothing and waterproof gear are essential. Floodwaters in both urban and rural areas can carry bacteria that cause leptospirosis, a potentially deadly infection. A backpack keeps equipment off the ground and your hands free, while plastic bags help protect lenses and mobile phones. For this photo, I also needed an elevated viewpoint. I used a truck to photograph the scene from above. Why it works The photo shows how the flooding is so damaging to the street and appears severe on what would normally be a dry and busy street. This news picture is an easy-to-understand image but still accomplishes telling a story of severe weather and flooding. ___ See more extraordinary AP photography.