KOH TAO PHOTO CONTEST & EXHIBITION 2024

Embrace the Koh Tao way of life...Dive into nature. 

The Koh Tao Tourism Association, in partnership with the Koh Tao Subdistrict Municipality, Surat Thani Provincial Administrative Organization, Tourism Authority of Thailand, and various organizations in the Koh Tao area, has announced the upcoming Koh Tao Photo Contest & Exhibition 2024. The theme for this contest and also the festival is "Embrace Island Life…Dive into Nature". The contestants have the chance to win prizes worth more than 88,000 baht. The main objective of this contest is to gather captivating photographs showcasing the stunning landscapes, sandy beaches, coastal areas, and way of life, as well as the mesmerizing underwater world of Koh Tao. The contest aims to utilize these images as a means of promoting Koh Tao's beauty to a global audience, while also encouraging nature conservation and sustainable living among the local community.

Koh Tao Photo Contest 2024 is part of the Spotlight Koh Tao 2024 festival. The winning photographs will be exhibited during the event between 3-5 May this year in the festival area, Aow Leuk, Koh Tao.

Deadline for photo submissions: April 20, 2024

There are 2 topics in the contest:

1. Embrace Island Life showcases images capturing the splendor of nature, picturesque landscapes, sandy beaches, and a lifestyle that mirrors the distinctiveness of Koh Tao.

• Winner. Cash prize of 20,000 Baht
• First runner-up. Cash prize of 10,000 Baht
• Second runner-up. Cash prize of 5,000 Baht
• 3 honorable mention awards. Prize amount of 3,000 Baht each

2. Dive into Nature showcases images capturing the abundance of coral reefs, the underwater world, and marine life on Koh Tao along with conservation efforts to protect and sustain the marine environment.

• Winner. Cash prize of 20,000 Baht
• First runner-up. Cash prize of 10,000 Baht
• Second runner-up. Cash prize of 5,000 Baht
• 3 honorable mention awards. Prize amount of 3,000 Baht each

Submitting photographs to the contest

The photographs submitted need to have been captured between 2022 and 2024 from the Koh Tao area and the dive sites surrounding the island.

The criteria for submitting photographs to the contest are as follows:

1. The contestant can be of Thai nationality or a foreigner, without any restrictions based on gender or age.
2. Each contestant has the opportunity to submit a maximum of 5 photos for the contest.
3. All contestants must clearly state the topic of their contest entry and provide the title of the photograph. A caption that effectively conveys the message of the photograph, along with details about the photograph's location, must be included.  It is essential to thoroughly review and ensure the accuracy of all information provided by the contestant, as submissions that are incomplete or inaccurate may not be eligible for consideration.
4. Photographs submitted to the contest should portray the enchanting beauty of the sandy beach, seaside, and the stunning views of Koh Tao. Additionally, they should showcase the lifestyle and activities of the Koh Tao community. Alternatively, contestants may choose to highlight the invaluable beauty of the coral reefs, marine life, and underwater world of Koh Tao.
5. Photographs submitted to the contest must be a colour image file. They can be in either horizontal or vertical orientation.
6. All photographs entered in the competition must be captured by the contestant. Any actions that infringe upon the rights of others are strictly prohibited.
7. All varieties of digital cameras, ranging from those in mobile phones to action cameras, drones, or film-loaded cameras, can be utilized.
   7.1) All images submitted to the contest must meet the requirement of having the shortest side of at least 2,000 pixels and the longest side not exceeding 5,000 pixels, with the file format limited to .jpg or .jpeg.
   7.2) In the case of using a film camera, the film must be scanned into a digital image file with the shortest side of at least 2,000 pixels and the longest side not exceeding 5,000 pixels, with the file format limited to .jpg or .jpeg. The original film should be preserved for potential viewing in case of inspection.
8. To submit a photograph taken with a drone, the owner of the photographs needs to present the required documents as follows.
   8.1) Certificate of registration for the controller or launcher of an unmanned aerial vehicle, issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand.
   8.2) The radio equipment registration for use in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), issued by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC),
   8.3) Drone Liability Insurance
9. Panorama format images must not exceed 5,000 pixels in length.
10. The contestant should preserve the RAW files for potential viewing in case of inspection.
11. If a photograph qualifies for the final round, the organizer team may ask for an additional file at maximum size.
12. Watermarks, image credits, letters, graphics, white or colored borders are prohibited on the photographs submitted for the contest.
13. Adjustments can be made to images, but they must preserve their natural essence. The judging committee will determine the extent of these modifications.
14. Photographs submitted must not have not been awarded in any previous competition.
15. All photographs entered the contest must be free from any ownership obligations associated with images sourced from different agencies, including those submitted for sale via stock photo agencies. Nevertheless, it should be noted that the organizing committee cannot be held liable for any copyright infringement that may arise, as this responsibility lies with the owner of the image who has a contractual agreement. Therefore, any individual or agency responsible for the image will be held liable.
16. All image files submitted for the contest will not be returned to the contestant and will instead become the property of the Koh Tao Tourism Association. However, the copyright of the images will remain entirely with the respective owners. The Koh Tao Tourism Association holds the right to utilize all submitted photos for publication, with the aim of promoting tourism and portraying a positive image of Koh Tao through various media channels including social media, online platforms, websites, exhibitions, and printed media. The image owners will not be notified in advance or receive any royalties for the usage of their photos. The Koh Tao Tourism Association places great importance on acknowledging the identity of the owner, and therefore, the name of the owner will be provided whenever the photograph is used.
17. Failure to adhere to any of the mentioned rules will result in disqualification of the submitted image from the contest. Contestants cannot assert that they have committed an offense due to their failure to thoroughly read and understand the rules. The committee has been granted the authority to evaluate the entries and their decision is binding. Contestants have no right to appeal the committee's ruling.
18. Contestants must carefully read and comprehend the regulations and terms of the project in their entirety. Failure to comply with any of the rules and conditions may result in the contest organizer deliberating on allowing participation in the contest. The organizers may reach out to individuals for further information or opt to disqualify and reclaim prizes later.
19. The contest organizers hold no liability for any legal violations that may occur. The creator of the submitted image is solely responsible for their actions in entering the competition.
20. The Koh Tao Tourism Association personnel, committee members, and judging committee are prohibited from submitting photos for this contest.
21. The Koh Tao Tourism Association retains the authority to modify the terms and conditions, as well as the prizes, without prior notification.
22. The committee's decision is conclusive.

Submit contest photographs to email: kohtaotourismassociation@gmail.com

Remark

• Dates and times are subject to change as necessary without prior notice.

For more information, please contact: Khun Ploy - Suthiporn Luengaram, Photography Exhibition Coordinator Koh Tao Tourism Association Tel. 080-499-2638