Bangkok Art Biennale 2026 kicks off citywide art festival
Bangkok Art Biennale 2026 held its opening reception on October 26, 2026, at W Bangkok, featuring over 200 artworks by 72 artists across 11 venues in Bangkok from October 29, 2026, to February 28, 2027, under the theme Angels & Mara.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Bangkok Art Biennale 2026 runs from October 29, 2026, to February 28, 2027
- The event showcases over 200 artworks by 72 artists from 29 nationalities
- Spans 11 main Bangkok venues, including Wat Arun, Wat Pho, and BACC
- Features the central theme "Angels & Mara," exploring tensions of light and temptation
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), led by Governor Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, attended the official opening reception for Bangkok Art Biennale 2026 (BAB 2026) at W Bangkok on October 26, 2026. The fifth edition of this contemporary art festival is presented by the Bangkok Art Biennale Foundation, with support from Thai Beverage Public Company Limited, TAT, the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, and various partners.
This year’s festival is themed "Angels & Mara," exploring the tension between guardians of light and forces of temptation. The concept invites viewers to reflect on the dualities of contemporary life through carefully curated contemporary artworks displayed across the capital.
Ms. Thapanee stated, "Bangkok Art Biennale shows how contemporary art can offer new ways to experience the capital’s heritage and modern identity. Under TAT’s Value over Volume direction, we want travellers to discover Bangkok through experiences that inspire personal connections while creating lasting value for local communities and businesses. This reflects our ‘Feel all the feelings’ campaign and ‘Healing is the New Luxury’ concept, where travel goes beyond sightseeing to offer inspiration, renewal and meaningful memories."
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
The festival spans 11 primary cultural and historical venues throughout Bangkok, which include:
- Wat Arun
- Wat Pho
- Wat Prayoon
- National Museum Bangkok
- Museum Siam
- Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC)
- The Art Centre at Silpakorn University
- Alliance Française Bangkok
- One Bangkok
- centralwOrld
- Siam Paragon
Key highlights of the exhibition feature Leiko Ikemura’s Memento Mori at Wat Pho and Liu Jianhua’s Square (Siamese Triangle) at the National Museum Bangkok, bridging contemporary artistic perspectives with Bangkok’s cultural heritage. Additionally, BAB Plus and BAB Fringe extend the programme to galleries, art institutions, and independent spaces across Bangkok and neighbouring provinces.
Held biennially since 2018, the Bangkok Art Biennale has established itself as an essential international platform for contemporary art and creative tourism. The 2024 edition successfully drew over 1.2 million visitors and generated an estimated 3.54 billion Baht in tourism revenue, demonstrating how large-scale cultural events can effectively drive economic growth and enhance creative tourism in Thailand.
Source: TAT Newsroom
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