An Art Lover’s Guide to Bangkok

When people think of Bangkok, they usually think of colorful temples, floating markets, tropical beaches, and street food. However, this Southeast Asian city of over 11 million people is also home to a diverse collection of art museums, murals, street performers, and an influential cultural heritage that spans millennia. Here’s where you should go when visiting Bangkok if you enjoy art.

Thailand sits in the heart of Southeast Asia. For thousands of years, faraway cultures and empires have traversed and settled it, turning it into a melting pot of culture and expression. Its capital, Bangkok, is where this fusion is brought to life through world-class artists, gallery owners, and government and religious institutions. Bangkok is the place where the traditional and modern collide.

If you’re an art lover, a visit to the city will be full of surprises. There’s fine art, street art, ancient folk art, and lavish temples and statues that stand proudly throughout the city. It’s safe to say that there’s nothing quite like it. Below are the best places to get the most out of Bangkok’s art scene. With a world-class public transportation system and beautifully curated spaces, there’s no limit to what you can see and experience in this one-of-a-kind tropical metropolis.

Don’t Miss the Temples

Some of the must-see temples include Wat Arun, with its Chinese porcelain mosaics, Saket Temple with its golden spires and relics, and the elegant marble designs of Wat Benchamabophit Dusitwanaram.

However, if you want to have a unique experience off the beaten path, don’t miss Paknam Phasi Charoen Temple. This sprawling complex is full of towering sculptures and images, unique architecture, sacred relics, and gigantic Buddha statues. It’s also home to one of the most unique murals in Asia.

Since 2018, the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC) has been at the forefront of Bangkok’s burgeoning art scene. Here, you’ll get to experience contemporary art, as well as music, film, and theater pieces. Almost 2 million people visit the institution every year. Like iconic Western museums such as New York’s Guggenheim, the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre features a sprawling space where visitors can get lost exploring the place. Surrounding the central atrium are nine floors featuring various exhibitions. You’ll also find popular restaurants, cafes, and shops that sell local folk art and gifts. The place hosts musical performances, educational events, and other activities meant to inspire new generations of Thai artists.

Visit the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)

On the busy Kamphaeng Phet 6th Road is one of Bangkok’s most exciting art museums, the Museum of Contemporary Art. Inside this modern building is an extensive collection of valuable paintings and sculptures by some of Thailand’s most famous artists. Immediately, you’ll notice the attention to detail in the museum building and space. Everything from the outside courtyard to the layout and lighting inside creates an experience unlike anywhere else.

The museum’s exhibits are located within five stories, showcasing over 800 pieces spanning the last century. The collection includes works by celebrated Thai artists such as Professor Paitun Muangsomboon, alongside other national and internationally acclaimed artists. The MOCA is a private museum, which gives it more freedom to exhibit edgier and controversial works of art. You’ll see mind-altering paintings and murals that push social boundaries and stimulate questions about society, religion, and human expression.

In the Rattanakosin neighborhood, the historical heart of the city, lies the large well-curated Bangkok National Museum. Inside, you’ll get to experience priceless sculptures, folk art, and paintings from almost every era in Thai History. The museum dates back to 1874 and has since amassed an enormous collection of works of art. Inside, you can walk through several halls and exhibits, each with its own theme and unique collections on display.

If you love folk art, head over to the Decorative Arts and Ethnology exhibit. Here, you’ll see handicrafts, including traditional musical instruments, ceramics, textiles, woodcarving, regalia, and weaponry. Meanwhile, the Archaeological and Art Historical wing spans exhibits from prehistory to the Bangkok period. This is where you’ll find ceremonial items, carvings, paintings, and some of the most ornate historical works of art in Thailand.

Besides the primary exhibition halls, the Bhuddhaisawan (Phutthaisawan) Chapel features well-preserved murals and houses one of the country’s most revered Buddha images, Phra Phuttha Sihing. Another must-see section of the museum is the northern Chariot Hall. This space is dedicated to the elaborately decorated chariots that were used to carry the past members of the Thai royal family. You’ll come face-to-face with funeral chariots and chariots used for celebrations and royal events.

Don’t Miss the Charming Museum Siam

Just south of the Bangkok National Museum in the old city center of Rattanakosin is the Museum Siam. The large neoclassical building might seem more like a governmental office building than an art museum, but looks can be deceiving. Inside you’ll find a wonderful collection of antiques and modern art, housed in 14 spacious rooms. Each room showcases a different theme from Thailand’s history. You’ll experience videos, music, and interactive exhibitions plus wonderful collections of paintings and folk art. Many of the temporary exhibits here relate to Thai history and identity, but they are approachable and interactive which makes them especially appealing to foreigners. When you visit, don’t miss the free audio guide and a visit to the cafe.

Just a few blocks away from the giant National Stadium and some of the largest malls in the country is the Jim Thompson Art Center. Known internationally as the Thai Silk King, the American architect and spy Jim Thompson helped revamp the silk industry in Thailand during the 1960s. Before mysteriously vanishing in the Malaysian jungle shortly after building his silk empire,  Thompson bought works of art, and religious artifacts for his Bangkok residence.

Today, Thompson’s beautiful canal-side complex is a popular museum and contemporary art center. Inside, you can explore his residence and personal collection of paintings, antiques, porcelain figures, and furniture. There are also several large religious artifacts dating back to the Ayutthaya Period. After your visit, don’t miss the museum shop and a walk through the tropical gardens. The gift shop sells silk neckties, traditional shirts, and plenty of local folk art to bring home as a gift.

Check Out the Funky Works at the CityCity Gallery

Bangkok CityCity Gallery is a fun, funky, and popular commercial art gallery located just a few blocks away from Lumphini Park and the skyscrapers of Sathon Road. This small and welcoming gallery uses plenty of open space to create a unique environment for art. Designed as a blank canvas both inside and out, the gallery has become one of the city’s best destinations for art lovers.

Inside, you’ll find an exciting mix of art made in several mediums, from large installations and sculptures to paintings and audio/visual works. Each section of the museum is uniquely curated and if you time your visit with one of the gallery’s special events, you won’t be disappointed.

Since opening in 2015 by Supamas Phahulo and Akapol Op Sudasna, CityCity has been striving to promote conversations about community and cultural diversity through art, events, and new projects.

In 2016, CityCity co-founded Bangkok’s art book fair. In 2018, the gallery launched OPEN FIELD, a non-profit organization that promotes art and cultural expression. The galley is also one of the city’s most dedicated organizations supporting emerging and young local artists.

In 2016, Sutima Sucharitaku opened NOVA Contemporary Gallery, just a block away from the bustling Ratchadamri metro station in one of the city’s fastest-growing neighborhoods. Since its inception, Nova Contemporary has been making a tremendous impact on the city’s art scene.

In this space, some of Thailand’s most influential contemporary artists put their works on display. For fans of contemporary art who seek to break boundaries and inspire, few galleries can compare to this one. You’ll see a wide range of mediums, including sculptures, visual installations, paintings, and interactive pieces from emerging and established Thai artists.

Take a Day Trip From Bangkok to Visit Koh Kret

If you want to experience what Bangkok might have been like centuries ago, just take a short boat ride up the Chao Phraya River to Koh Kret. This small rectangular island emerged in 1722 during the excavation of a canal that cut through a horseshoe bend in the Chao Phraya River.

Originally settled by the Mon people from central Thailand, Koh Kret still preserves its heritage while welcoming tourists and visitors looking to get away from the bustle of the city. While you can visit the island any day, weekends are particularly lively, with street food vendors crowding the lanes around temples.

One of the island’s highlights is the famous Mon-style pottery, an artistic tradition dating back to its inception. Several pottery villages along the route invite you to witness the ancient pottery-making process and even buy a souvenir or two. While you’re here, consider renting a bicycle to get around the island. On top of the markets and temples on the island which you can experience easily by bike, you can find local art vendors who specialize in Mon-style pottery.