Bangkok is infamously regarded as a whirlpool of a city that chaotically sucks up anything in its path. I absolute love the gritty aspect this city has to offer.
Anybody who has spent significant time roaming about the streets and back-alleys likely would have noticed a few furry little feline friends wandering around Bangkok which is simply littered with cats.
Some are cared for, adored and exalted at a level often only seen in certain cultures; yet, many are feral and left to scrounge for leftover scraps dodging human activity and a plethora of vehicles whizzing on by. It’s survival of the fittest for the ones left to fend for themselves.
I’m personally a sucker for cats and I hold a soft spot for them. They’re also one of my favourite subjects for photography – whether they’re leaping and bounding for scraps of food or comfortably stretched out in the sun dozing off in a state of bliss.
The following is a photo essay of the cats of Bangkok:
I love candid shots of people and that extends to animals as well. Here I’ve captured this skittish cat just as it notices me.” alt=”I love candid shots of people and that extends to animals as well. Here I’ve captured this skittish cat just as it notices me.
A closer up shot of the same cat having looking a lot more relaxed in its demeanour.
I often envy how comfortable cats look when they’re resting/sleeping. This cat is completely stretched out on top of a table.
This is a close-up shot of the cat from the previous photo. Did I wake you? Sorry, you can go back to sleep now 🙂
A close-up shot of a well cared for domestic cat with big eyes and an inquisitive looking face – Bangkok, Thailand.
I think I smell fish! 😛
This kitty is enjoying an opportunistic moment to grab some fish while they’re being left unattended by a shop owner at a local market – Bangkok, Thailand.
A black and white shot of the same kitty losing it’s grip as it slides back down.
This street cat wonders if I have a nice can of tuna in my hand. I’m sorry. I’ve got nothing but my camera.
This cat is blissfully asleep on the ground under a table.
A close-up shot of its face.
Late at night, this cat with lovely eyes, takes a moment to pose for me before scrounging in the plastic bag for leftover scraps of food – Bangkok, Thailand.
This is an example of a mangy looking feral cat on the streets of Khao San road. You can tell from it’s coat of fur and lanky frame that it just barely gets by day to day.
This multicoloured cat is lying on top of a restaurant table. I love how the Thai people are so relaxed about things and permit something like this to happen quite often.
This kitten is just relaxing as it looks around.
This scrawny looking cat pauses briefly before suddenly dashing off under the bicycle.
It takes a special man to love cats. Great photos!
It does! One sure has to work to earn affection from kitties.
A photo essay with cats! You just put a smile on my face. It will stay there for the rest of the evening. Thank you.
Thanks Laura, glad to see so many cat lovers out there 🙂
There are so many beautiful cats in Thailand…nice captures.
I’ve just arrived back in Korea via Thailand and Spain. The first thing I did was pick up Indy (my cat)!
Oh I love cats!!! Even the stray ones. Love this post!
Glad to hear that as a fellow cat lover 🙂
That multicoloured cat is RAD looking!
It is pretty rad!
Do You realy think these are a beautiful cats?! Jast look at the real beautiful cat: http://victortravelblog.com/2011/11/27/the-same-face/
I did come over and take a look – one beautiful kitty, no doubt 🙂
There are a lot of stray cats in the city I live in. The photos of the cats are similar to what the cats I usually see. Often when I eat in the streets these cats are waiting eagerly to share what I have. I already have four cats and I can’t afford to adopt anymore.
Hey Maria, that’s totally understandable. With 4 at home you’re certainly a cat lover!
It is hard to see these cute creatures to have no home or owner. As pets, they are used to just lying around, staying clean and waiting to be fed. It is amazing how they are fit for survival even without anyone to care for them.
Sharon, I agree with! I think of the spoiled cat back home with parents. It actually rejects certain cat food to hold out for something better 😛 Some of these cats would eat just about anything.
Way to go right for the soft spot. Absolutely adorable. Love the different colored lighting in a number of the shots.
Thanks Alex 🙂 It’s quite a random gallery!
I heart cats … seeing these photos makes me want to rush to Thailand and bring them home with me. So cute!
You’d have a lot to bring back 🙂
Aww I love cats. When I was in Asia I would oftan have a kitty just jump up and enjoy a nap on my lap. Makes me so happy 😀
I’ve also had similar experiences. I find being around animals makes me feel more calm and at ease.
I just love the kittehs on my travels … some saunter over for a good rubdown when called, others skitter away, running for their lives (usually the feral ones imo)!
That’s very true James!
I have a bad habit of trying to pet stray cats (and dogs, to be honest) in other countries. I almost got my hand bitten by a cat in the Colosseum once, but that hasn’t stopped me! Rabies, shmabies. 😛
LOL, I’m the same way Christy. I ought to be more careful but never am 😛
Cats are awesome. This is the second cat themed post I’ve seen this week (was there a memo I missed?) and I’m loving them 😀
LOL, are you going to make a third one?
The only pictures I have are of various cats I’ve owned, and I always seem to get the flash wrong so they have giant glowing eyes. So unless the post is titled “Vampire Cats from the Netherworlds”.. it seems unlikely 😉
LOL, that might actually make for a clever post…don’t discount it 😛
OMG! They are so cute! I’m a sucker for cats, therefore I really appreciate this post.
Glad you liked it Laura 🙂
While I don’t share your fondness for Bangkok, I do love cats. These are excellent pictures! We saw quite a few cats while wandering around Thailand ourselves!
Shanna, you bring up a great point that the cats aren’t just exclusive to Bangkok. I could do a whole other gallery on the cats of Chiang Mai 😛
Thanks to you I just want to book it to Thailand now to cuddle cats. Lots of cats. Is that weird? Think my favourite shot was the “late at night” cat.
LOL, that’s not too weird although maybe a bit hard to justify the cost of the plane ticket 😛
I LOVE this!!! I have to little kits and this post just made me so happy. These cats are gorgeous!
Thanks D! I bet your kits are adorable 🙂
Awwww :)… that’s all I’m saying
LOL, you’re a cat lover as well? 🙂
The black and white asleep under the table reminds me almost exactly of the cat we had when I was a kid.
Oh, that’s cool! Must bring back good memories for you.
Fascinating some of the cats look like the egyptian hairless with fur?
They do! I agree with you.
I’d be tempted to bring one home. Seriously. I adopted a street dog in Kenya.
I felt like doing that myself 🙂
Do you ever try to pet them? We’ve found the cats in some countries to be really friendly (like in Jordan) and others will claw you to death if you touch them (like in Turkey).
I was able to pet some of them. I find with cats you can kind of sense from their body language and disposition whether or not to try it 🙂
Love cats! And so photogenic, aren’t they?
Thanks Sophie, I agree with you- adorable and photogenic. When, or if I become semi-nomadic I’ll have a cat again as a pet.