In January 2020, Thai authorities were among the first to confront a new and troubling disease, with the frontlines extending to the country's shopping malls.
As the disease attracted global media attention, Bulgarian photographer Mladen Antonov, working for Agence France Press (AFP), documented the escalating response in Bangkok. According to Antonov, Thai authorities swiftly implemented body heat monitors, primarily funded by businesses in the malls, to detect elevated temperatures. Those with fevers were reported.
Antonov vividly recalls capturing scenes of individuals wearing masks in various locations as the outbreak unfolded. Describing the challenges faced, he narrates an incident at a shopping mall where he discreetly photographed the body heat scanner without permission.
Reflecting on the gravity of the situation several weeks later, Antonov monitored the rising cases and deaths worldwide, highlighting the unprecedented nature of an invisible threat like the virus.
Navigating through the uncertainties and adjustments, Antonov and his team adapted by emphasizing strict hygiene measures. Despite a less stringent lockdown in Thailand, Antonov observed a significant exodus of workers returning to rural areas prior to the restrictions.
Witnessing the eerie transformation of bustling malls into desolate spaces, Antonov recounts a particularly poignant moment when aisles were covered with cloths and lights dimmed, evoking a surreal post-apocalyptic atmosphere.
As the pandemic instilled fear and altered social norms, even after leaving Bangkok for Hong Kong, Antonov continued to adhere to Thai customs like the traditional bow known as namaste, reflecting on how the experience reshaped his interactions like refraining from hugs.
Now, reflecting back, Antonov acknowledges that while the memories of that challenging time have begun to fade, the lessons and changes remain a lasting imprint.