Travel journalist and photographer John Borthwick is the author of a very large number of magazine and newspaper feature articles. He has received multiple recognitions for his work including the 2008 Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Gold Award for Best Destination Article and, in other years, Australian Society of Travel Writers (ASTW) Travel Writer of the Year award and ASTW Photographer of the year award. In 2004, Thailand presented him with the prestigious 'Friends of Thailand' award. He holds a PhD in travel literature and served for years on the ASTW Committee.