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Hailing from the Italian Alps, Thomas Cristofoletti has been working in Southeast Asia as a humanitarian photographer and videographer since 2012. Based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, he’s also the co-founder of RUOM, a collective of journalists specializing in social reportage throughout Asia. Especially passionate about climate change, Thomas’ long- term project focuses on the effects of development on the Mekong region and on underreported religious practices around the world. Thomas’ photographs have been featured in international magazines and newspapers such as The New York Times, Al Jazeera, The Guardian, Le Monde, Vice, The Financial Times, Forbes and The Global Post. His work has been featured in campaigns for international NGOs such as USAID, WWF, UNDP, CARE and UNICEF. He’s a drone operator and he’s fluent in English, Italian and Spanish. www.thomascristofoletti.com
English
Spanish
Italian
Current Affairs
Science & Environment
Fact Checking
Portfolio
Iran’s Booming Consumer Culture
Iran is experiencing a surge in consumer culture, with a growing obsession among young people, especially women, for smartphones, tablets, flat screen TVs, beauty products, and high-end western brands. Despite governmental censorship and economic challenges, shopping has become a significant activity, with traditional bazaars facing competition from new shopping malls offering international brands and entertainment options. Iran is described as a promising economy with potential for significant growth.
The Disease Detectives Trying to Keep the World Safe From Bird Flu
Dr. Sreyleak Luch, a doctor in Cambodia's Mekong river delta, suspected a 9-year-old boy's severe illness might be due to bird flu (H5N1) after learning the family had eaten a dead rooster. Despite skepticism from colleagues, she contacted the local public health department, which quickly collected a sample for testing. The boy was transferred to the capital, Phnom Penh, for further treatment.
Tourism after Covid: Having Angkor Wat to yourself
Angkor Wat, the ancient Cambodian temple complex, has seen a dramatic drop in tourists due to the COVID-19 pandemic, offering a unique and solitary experience for the few visitors like Rares Ispas from New Zealand. Cambodia, with a successful vaccination campaign, reopened to vaccinated tourists with minimal restrictions. The tourism industry, particularly in Siem Reap, has suffered greatly, with many businesses closed and locals missing the bustling atmosphere. International flights have resumed, and infrastructure improvements have been made in anticipation of tourists' return. The temples, once crowded, now offer a peaceful experience, though the lack of visitors has had a significant economic impact.
Cambodian Temple, Once Overcrowded, Wants Tourists Back
Angkor Wat, a renowned Cambodian temple, once crowded with tourists, now sees significantly fewer visitors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This has transformed the experience from a bustling theme park-like atmosphere to a serene and almost solitary visit, as recounted by a recent visitor, Rares Ispas.
People Assumed Women in Ghana Wouldn’t Skate. Then One Crew Changed Everything
Skate Gal Club, an all-women skateboarding collective in Accra, Ghana, co-founded by Sandy Alibo and Kuukua Eshun, challenges gender norms in sports and provides a supportive community for women. The club not only teaches skateboarding skills but also offers a safe space for discussions on women's rights and sexual assault, aligning with the #MeToo movement. Despite initial challenges in attracting female participants, the club has successfully taught around 200 women and girls. They are currently crowdfunding for Accra's first dedicated skate park to avoid conflicts with authorities and the public. The initiative aims to redefine the role of women in African society and create a community where women feel empowered to explore and learn.
Families fight against toxic dust from Italy's Ilva steelworks
Families in Taranto, Italy, are protesting against the Ilva steelworks, citing severe health impacts from pollution. The plant, now owned by ArcelorMittal, has been linked to high cancer rates and other health issues. Despite European Court of Justice rulings and local activism, the Italian government has struggled to enforce environmental standards. ArcelorMittal has pledged significant investment to reduce emissions, but local residents demand the plant's closure to protect their health.
Chinese-backed hydroelectric dam robs Cambodian villagers of homes and livelihoods
The Lower Sesan 2 Dam, a hydroelectric project in northeastern Cambodia, has displaced numerous Phnong indigenous families, including Neang's, from their ancestral lands. Despite compensation and a government-designated resettlement site, many villagers, like Neang and Broch Rithy, chose to stay near their submerged homes due to cultural ties. The dam, a joint venture between Cambodian, Chinese, and Vietnamese companies, has been criticized for its environmental impact and the disruption of local communities' livelihoods. A 2009 NGO report predicted significant loss of fisheries resources for thousands. The provincial governor has promised to build facilities for those who remained, but it is unclear if this will happen.
Chinese-backed hydroelectric dam robs Cambodian villagers of homes and livelihoods
The Lower Sesan 2 Dam in northeastern Cambodia, a joint venture involving Chinese, Cambodian, and Vietnamese companies, has displaced numerous indigenous Phnong families, disrupting their lives and cultural heritage. Despite compensation and resettlement efforts, many villagers face hardships due to inadequate resources and loss of ancestral lands. Environmentalists and rights groups have criticized the project for its detrimental impact on local fisheries and communities. Recent promises by the provincial governor to build new facilities for the remaining villagers offer a glimmer of hope, though their fulfillment remains uncertain.
The Pristine Exclusivity of Cambodia’s ‘Imported Cities’
Cambodia's urban landscape is being reshaped by large-scale development projects, often funded by foreign investors through Economic Land Concessions (ELCs). These satellite cities, such as Grand Phnom Penh International City, cater to the wealthy and are characterized by luxury amenities and planned infrastructure. However, this model has led to significant displacement of local residents and has been criticized for exacerbating economic disparities. Critics argue that these developments fail to drive meaningful economic outcomes and highlight issues of corruption and elitism in land distribution. The trend is not unique to Cambodia but is prevalent across Southeast Asia, with similar projects in Vietnam, Malaysia, and Laos.
A selection of my best drone shots from Cambodia, China, Italy, California, The Philippines and Laos. Drones: DJI Phantom 3 Advanced and DJI Mavic PRO
Jessel grew up in Cofradía, a town outside of San Pedro Sula, Honduras, a city that has been called “the murder capital of the world.” He watched people become numb to senseless violence like the gunshot that nearly killed him; he knew he had to do something about it. “I didn’t want to seek revenge,” Jessel said, “because the bullet not only pierced my flesh, my skin—it pierced that life that I was living. It ended this erroneous mentality that I had and changed it into something positive. That is when he decided to create Skate Brothers, a club where at-risk youth learn rollerblading, skateboarding, BMX and breakdancing. Since it was formed in 2011, the group has grown to about 50 members who perform in street fairs and parades and volunteer to support their community.
Ilobasco is one of the most dangerous communities in the Western Hemisphere. This film interweaves the stories of Sandra, a police officer who works to build peace and trust in the community; and Kevin, an at-risk 17 year old who has found his calling by coaching boys at the USAID-supported Outreach Center. Their stories show how support to vulnerable children and other interventions are helping hard-hit communities overcome violence and distrust and find peace.
On Colombia’s Caribbean coast, a trans activist takes on the establishment. Like many transgender women in Cartagena and throughout the Caribbean region, Tania Duarte Díaz has suffered at the hands of a society that doesn’t understand her and a justice system unable—and often unwilling—to protect her rights. Tania is a member of Caribe Afirmativo, a group in Colombia that advocates for equal rights for the LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex) community. The group was formed in 2007 after the hate-motivated murder of professor and advocate Rolando Pérez, and it documents cases of abuse; trains police and policy officials on human rights; does outreach with the LGBTI community; and fights to bring perpetrators to justice. In just seven years—from 2007 to 2014—Caribe Afirmativo recorded 119 murders of LGBTI individuals on the Caribbean coast
Banda Aceh, is an autonomous province in the north of Sumatra, and the only place in Indonesia – the country with the world’s largest Muslim population – where sharia law is currently implemented. Aceh was the hardest-hit area by the 2004 tsunami where over 170,000 inhabitants tragically lost their lives. Many Acehnese viewed the disaster as punishment for their lack of devotion to God. Though Sharia law was only officially introduced in 2011, the cataclysm helped religious authorities to accelerate radicalization within the society. Alcohol, gambling, not dressing according to Islamic code, premarital romance, and adultery are now outlawed and punishable by public flogging. A feared “Sharia police” team doles out warnings and passes transgressors on to the relevant authorities. In March 2016, I spent 10 days with the youth of Banda Aceh, I explored unseen subcultures, and followed the lives of artists, musicians, dancers, skaters and surfers; documenting their efforts to find
In Cambodia’s Northern Prey Lang forest, one of the last remaining evergreen forest in Southeast Asia, a community is organizing itself to preserve its roots, traditions, and protect the land to which it belongs. Fighting formidable foes such as climate change and deforestation, the community has learnt resilience and compassion. This is the story of forgotten people, connected to each other by nothing less a forest in distress. This is also the story of Cambodia’s fate and the legacy it will pass on future generations.
Ruben Robinson was once a notorious gangster from the infamous Canterbury neighborhood of Montego Bay, Jamaica. Today he works as a violence interrupter - preventing shootings and homicides in his community through a program supported by the Government of Jamaica. "Kids look up to me," he says. "Because first I was part of the problem, now I'm the solution."
In pictures: pole dancing for the gods in Taiwan
In Taiwan, young women perform pole dancing atop jeeps during temple gatherings, a ritual known as 'miào huì' associated with Buddhist and Taoist religions. Despite misconceptions, the performances are not sexual but a form of entertainment and thanks to the gods. Dancer Li Yi-ting finds work through the chat app Line and views dancing as a joyful escape from problems. Cultural studies professor Chu Yuan-horng notes that government disapproval has made such groups increasingly rare, with full nudity banned since the 1980s.
Carving creative spaces in conservative Banda Aceh
Banda Aceh, an autonomous province in Indonesia, enforces Islamic law, a measure accelerated by the 2004 tsunami's impact and subsequent religious fervor. Despite strict regulations against alcohol, gambling, and non-conformity to Islamic dress codes, underground subcultures of artists and musicians persist, navigating societal and familial pressures while avoiding the 'Sharia police'.
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