For a split second : eye contact in Chinatown

Of all the* Chinatowns* in the world, Bangkok’s Chinatown (the Samphanthawong district) is undoubtedly one of the oldest and one of the most impressive. Chinese merchants had already settled here long before the Thai capital was founded. The cats dozing in these alleyways today are probably unaware that the district was once one of Bangkok’s most notorious neighbourhoods, renowned for its brothels, illegal gambling dens and opium-smoking houses. Today, it is a must-visit destination for tourists and street-food enthusiasts alike, a place where the aromas of cooking mingle with the vibrant colours of shop signs and market stalls.

I was wandering through this maze of narrow streets when I noticed these two women deep in conversation in front of this stall. I have the feeling that the woman in the foreground is the owner of this street-food stand, while the other, who appears to be simply passing through with her shoulder bag, is both a customer and a friend. I positioned myself to photograph them when, sensing my presence, they simultaneously turned their heads towards me. In a neighbourhood where thousands of glances cross paths every day, this one lasted only an instant...