A British photographer shows the hidden beauty of local life in one of Asia's busiest tourist destinations

In 2012, 22 million tourists visited Thailand. By the end 0f 2016, that number is expected to have risen to 32 million.

The country is now the continent's fourth most visited and is just one of several in southeast Asia that have become go-to destinations for Western backpackers.

It's easy to see why the region has become so popular. It's home to some of the world's most spectacular scenery and ancient history.

In order to show a different side of the popular tourist spot, UK-based photographer Ryan Saradjola has been traveling Asia for the past three months and documenting his journey, but instead of focusing on the Grand Palace or Ko Phi Phi, his subject has been the locals and their lives.

He told Business Insider: "As opposed to photographing the islands through a rose-tinted lens like the brochures do, I wanted to focus on the authenticity of the culture which is often hidden in plain sight."

"I wanted to focus on the monks that look after the temples, the delivery man stocking the island shop, taxi drivers cleaning their cars, all the people that tourists actually rely on."

Have a look at the hidden lives of locals in his photos below.