One of the public's - and Nanthasit's - favourites is his shot of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, who appeared with digital camera in hand behind His Majesty the King during his public audience and took a few snaps of the huge crowd gathered at the Royal Plaza.

Nanthasit clicked his shutter just at the right moment.

He said he had never expected that any of his photos from that day would become so sought-after by the public.

Many vendors have made copies of his photos to sell, and picture-framers report a brisk trade.

"Not only that popular picture [of the Princess], but all the photos I took that day are memorable work for me," he said.

"It was a very special opportunity to be there at that time," said Nanthasit, who was the only photographer allowed inside the fenced compound of the throne hall during the Royal public audience.

The Royal Photographic Society of Thailand, which is under the patronage of HM the King, told The Nation photo editor that they would permit one photographer from the paper to enter the hall compound, he said.

"None of the six Nation photographers working that day was wearing an appropriate white shirt, including me," he said. "Without white shirts, we couldn't go inside."

He said that just as he was pondering what to do - including a possible request for divine intervention - a man in a white shirt walked past.

Without thinking, he immediately asked the man if he would mind exchanging shirts, and to his surprise the man said no.

So the 29-year-old lensman had his "ticket" to enter.

Among the Cabinet members, diplomats, parliamentarians, senior civil servants and judges, Nanthasit was the only photographer taking photos of HM the King and the Royal Family members appearing on the balcony.

"I remember 11am that day. It was the best time of my life," he said.

"I had always dreamt of taking photographs of the King once in my life. And now my dream had come true," he said, adding that the photos were more precious to him than winning the lottery or anything else in his life.

From the moment HM the King appeared on the balcony, his camera shutter was clicking non-stop.

"These are pictures of Thai history. I tried to do the best not only for my office but also for my country, because all these pictures would be published worldwide."

As soon as the pictures appeared the next day, they became sought-after items among the Thai public.

Sucheera Pinijparakarn

The Nation