Walk on the wild side: 12 photos of Thailand’s wildlife, from mischievous monkeys to amazing elephants

An elephant’s eye, a window to the soul. Kanchanaburi, Thailand (Julia Wainwright)

The scourge of plastic waste is a problem for urban long-tailed macaques, Lopburi, Thailand (Julia Wainwright)

A long-tailed macaque attempts to eat a shiny object at Phra Prang Sam Yot, Lopburi, Thailand (Julia Wainwright)

Brightly coloured leafbird in Kaeng Krachan, National Park, Thailand (Julia Wainwright)

An elephant tests the air with its trunk, Elephant Haven, Kanchanaburi, Thailand (Julia Wainwright)

Walking down to the river for a bathe. Elephant sanctuary, Kanchanaburi, Thailand (Julia Wainwright)

A young long-tailed macaque at Phra Phrang Sam Yot in Lopburi (Julia Wainwright)

Sooty-headed bulbul perched on a branch, Kaeng Krachan, National Park, Thailand (Julia Wainwright)

Long-tailed macaque watches the world from a Buddha Statue at Phra Prang Sam Yot, Lopburi, Thailand (Julia Wainwright)

Wild Elephants wander through the Kui Buri National Park, Thailand (Julia Wainwright)

A mahout checks on the well-being of his charge at Elephant Haven, Kanchanaburi, Thailand (Julia Wainwright)

That moment when you’ve had enough of being photographed. Long-tailed Macaque, Lopburi, Thailand (Julia Wainwright)

“Wildlife photography was my original plan, but this trip became more about urban macaques, elephant welfare and birdlife, introducing unique photographic challenges to what was an enjoyable, full-on experience. In Lopburi, I saw the difficulties arising from people and macaques living in close proximity, and at the elephant sanctuaries in Kanchanaburi I saw first-hand the dedication of the people working to improve the animal’s lives, while Samarn Bird Camp and Kaeng Krachan National Park allowed me to photograph birds and mammals I’d not seen before.”