Ye Aung Thu

Ye Aung Thu is a renowned documentary photographer from Yangon, Myanmar. He began his career in 2010, documenting the Myanmar Elections, and joined Agence France-Presse (AFP) in 2012, where he worked for a decade. As Chief Photographer, he covered major events across Asia, winning multiple awards including The Human Rights Press Awards (HRPA), Myanmar National Press Award and multiple Photo of the Year honors. Now an Independent photographer, Ye Aung Thu focuses on capturing the lives of those affected by Myanmar’s military coup, shedding light on their struggles and resilience. Beyond photography, he is a dedicated mentor, training and inspiring a new generation of photographers, even in frontline conflict areas. In 2024, he founded Platform 36, an initiative to support and promote emerging Southeast Asian photographers and creatives. In 2025, he received the World Press Photo Award, recognizing the power and impact of his ongoing work.