ไทย
Mr. Prasop Riaengngern, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, provided an update on the preparation progress for *Thailand Biennale, Phuket 2025*. Following an on-site inspection on 8–9 November together with Ms. Ketsorn Kamnoedphet, Director-General of the Office of Contemporary Art and Culture (OCAC); Mr. Rewat Areerob, President of the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organization; Mr. Arin Rungchang, Artistic Director; Ms. Marisa Phantharakrajadej, Curator; Ms. Anchalee Vanich Theppabutr, President of the Phuket Art Association; and Ms. Puangpakao Chaowai, Phuket Provincial Cultural Officer, he stated that preparations are progressing steadily and satisfactorily. The team is currently preparing venues and installing artworks, with overall progress surpassing 70%.
The Permanent Secretary noted: “From the field inspection, it is clear that all sectors—including government agencies, the private sector, artists, and the people of Phuket—are working together with great determination. This strong collaboration is an encouraging sign for hosting a world-class international contemporary art festival.”
The Thailand Biennale, Phuket will be held on a grand scale from late November 2025 to the end of April 2026, spanning over five months. More than 65 leading artists and collectives from Thailand and abroad will present works across 19 exhibition sites and 13 satellite pavilions throughout Phuket Province.
In addition to a wide range of contemporary art installations, the festival will feature parallel events such as music, performing arts, talks, workshops, and community-based creative activities distributed throughout the city, allowing locals and visitors to engage with art in all dimensions of daily life.
The Permanent Secretary added that Thai and international artists have begun arriving in Phuket to create and install their works. Some pieces will debut during the opening ceremony, while others will be unveiled progressively throughout the festival period, bringing an energetic, vibrant atmosphere to Phuket for several months.
Furthermore, the province and organizers are developing permanent public artworks to serve as lasting cultural legacies—such as public sculptures at Saphan Hin and other key attractions—ensuring that residents and tourists can appreciate the artworks long after the festival concludes.
Local authorities—including the Governor of Phuket, government offices, local administrative organizations, the business sector, and the general public—are working in close coordination to prepare venues, enhance city landscapes, welcome visitors, and promote the event. Hotels, restaurants, transport operators, souvenir shops, and educational institutions are all joining hands as proud hosts.
“Phuket is a world-class tourism destination with extensive experience in hosting international events. We are confident that Thailand Biennale, Phuket will be another major success, bringing pride to Thailand and elevating the nation’s creative economy,” Mr. Prasop said.
The event aligns with the government’s policy to stimulate the economy through tourism, as well as the priority initiatives of Ms. Zabeeda Thaiset, Minister of Culture, who aims to promote Thai identity and cultural assets as key drivers of national prestige through internationally recognized contemporary arts and culture.
The Office of Contemporary Art and Culture (OCAC) anticipates that the festival will attract no fewer than 3 million visitors throughout its duration, generating over THB 30 billion in economic activity for Phuket and nearby areas.
Mr. Prasop concluded: “I would like to invite artists, art enthusiasts, students, and both Thai and international tourists to experience Thailand’s largest international contemporary art festival in Phuket. Thailand Biennale, Phuket will open the city through art, open hearts through culture, and open new opportunities for Thailand’s economy to rise on the global stage.”
