Manit Sriwanichpoom (1961) was born in Bangkok and is one of Thailand's leading photographers, best known for the series of works featuring the enigmatic figure of the Pink Man. His works are a critique of present-day Thai society and have been exhibited in a number of prominent international exhibitions such as Cities on the Move (1997 - 1999), and the 50th Venice Biennale in 2003. In 2007, Manit received the prestigious Higashikawa Overseas Photographer Award (Japan). 'Pink Man on Tour #6 (Amazing Rice Field, North Thailand)' is part of the Pink Man on Tour series by Manit. To him, the Pink Man is a symbol of conspicuous consumption, imbued with the sense of dissatisfaction and hidden anger. The series criticizes tourism policies and explores the issue of travelling being relegated to an object of consumption for individuals to flaunt their travels to exotic places, instead of the first notion of travelling for knowledge. Transported to a rice field, The Pink Man, played by Thai poet Sompong Tawee, looks on nonchalantly in isolation, Manit's statement on the perceived image of Thailand - the Land of Smiles.
