Bangkok based photographer Chardchakaj Waikawee defines youth not by age but by a persistent internal energy. His latest exhibition, Youth, currently showing at the Graces Mews gallery in London, highlights the lives of those often overlooked in Thailand’s capital. Waikawee focuses his lens on the motorcycle taxi drivers, construction workers, and street vendors who keep the city running. These individuals form the foundation of Bangkok’s financial landscape, yet they frequently remain invisible to the public eye.
Waikawee’s work challenges the conventional perception of aging. He captures 70-year-olds with a drive to discover new things and 20-year-olds who have already lost their sense of hope. The portraits showcase a profound connection between the photographer and his subjects. Unlike street photographers who use hidden cameras or long lenses to maintain a distance, Waikawee enters the world of those he captures. His mother once remarked that his images look like they were taken by someone the subjects already knew, a sentiment that reflects his approachable and reciprocal style.
Bangkok serves as more than a backdrop for this series. Waikawee describes the city as a living organism filled with sharp contradictions. His images feature juxtaposition like a monk passing a beer bar or a wealthy collector praying alongside someone with nothing. The subjects possess a resilience that Waikawee seeks to honor rather than invent. He states that his photographs do not grant dignity to these people; they simply acknowledge the strength that was present all along.
This collection serves as a documentation of people who continue to live with pride despite significant hardship. Whether it is a punk with a towering mohawk or parents posing with their child, the images reflect a spirit of survival. Waikawee’s goal is to celebrate the quiet courage of those who do not ask for sympathy but remain grateful for another day. The exhibition runs through September 19, 2026, offering a raw look at the people shaping the heart of Bangkok.