Tropical Fixer Creators
Who’d have thought an unexpected act of kindness from a stranger on the streets of Bangkok would spark a decades-long partnership of storytelling. Since the memorable moment with Puchara (Am) Khumpeera, while researching a breaking story, we’ve teamed up to develop original reportage & features. Based in Thailand, we’ve expanded to include fiction + unscripted TV & documentary film projects - working w/global networks & production crews...Steve
Am Sandford
Creative Director
Am began her multi-media broadcast career as a radio DJ in S. Thailand before moving into print & broadcast news production early in the 2000’s. Now, Am has more than 2 decades of regional current affairs experience — including the 2004 Tsunami, extensive coverage of Myanmar’s ongoing unrest, the historic 2018 Thai Cave Rescue & the Thailand’s continued current affairs issues.
Her work includes coverage of the 2017 Rohingya Crisis, an award-winning investigation into Thailand’s 2014 Surrogate Baby Scandal, and a key role as Cultural Advisor on Netflix’s critically acclaimed Thai Cave Rescue Series (2022).
In 2024, Am’s expertise as a leading Producer & Researcher was recognized with her contribution to the Emmy-Winning National Geographic Series Tsunami: Race Against Time (Dir. Daniel Bogado), which won 2025 Outstanding Historical Documentary. As a trusted TV Producer & Field Researcher for global networks, Am delivers accurate, compelling stories from S.E. Asia.
Now as manager of Tropical Fixer, tasks include the full production spectrum – from pre-research & scouting to breaking news & long – form documentaries for media, NGOs and corporate clients.
Recent credits include CNA’s Addicted (Asian Academy Creative Award 2025), Discovery Channel’s Naked and Afraid (Season 19) & Bloomberg’s ‘The War the World Forgot’.
Steve Sandford
Director of Photography
Following 10 years as a press photog in Canada, Steve relocated to Asia, photographing world events including Indonesian President Suharto’s fall in ’98, Cambodia’s de-mining program, civil conflict in Nepal and the devastating 2004 Thai Tsunami.
In 2007 Steve began filming for Al Jazeera’s Thai bureau, covering news & current affairs in Thailand & neighboring countries before founding Asia Reports in 2010, producing News, Documentaries & Current Affairs for networks worldwide.
Coverage included political, environmental and human rights Issues across SE Asia from the 2006 Thai Coup and Rohingya Crisis to the Thai cave rescue & Post-Coup Myanmar strife.
Recent work on border patrols and Bangkok’s drug center contributed, in part, to an Asian Academy Creative Award In 2025 for the series : ADDICTED.
Now, as Director of Photography at Tropical Fixer, new productions include expanding into fiction series & long – form documentaries.
Steve & Am Sandford Co-authored ‘Witness To Genocide: Chasing The Rohingya Crisis In SE Asia,’ Their personal account of what the UN termed,”Textbook Example Of Ethnic Cleansing” and a “Humanitarian Catastrophe.”
Our Mission
Extensive knowledge & personal work
experience in the region results in access & accuracy.
Our Vision
Amidst a rapidly changing media landscape, it remains important to see the big picture.
