ไทย
Phuket – On Monday, June 9, 2025, Mr. Prasop Riang-ngern, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, presided over the opening ceremony of an awareness-building and mobilization activity for the international contemporary art festival “Thailand Biennale, Phuket 2025”. The event was attended by Ms. Kasorn Kamnoetpetch, Deputy Director of the Office of Contemporary Art and Culture (OCAC), Ministry of Culture, and acting Director of OCAC; executives from the Ministry of Culture; Mr. Samawit Supanphai, Deputy Governor of Phuket; Ms. Anchalee Vanich Teppabutra, President of the Phuket Art Association; Mr. David Teh, Artistic Director of the Thailand Biennale, Phuket 2025; Mr. Chalermchai Kositpipat; Mr. Rewat Areerob, President of the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organization; Ms. Puangpaka Chaowai, Phuket Provincial Cultural Officer; local artist networks in Phuket and contemporary art organizations from across Thailand; distinguished guests; and members of the media. The event took place at Ballroom 1, 2nd floor, Royal Phuket City Hotel, Phuket.
Mr. Prasop Riang-ngern stated that the Ministry of Culture (MOC), through the Office of Contemporary Art and Culture (OCAC), is scheduled to organize the Thailand Biennale, Phuket 2025 between November 2025 and April 2026 under the concept “Nirandkalpa”. This theme metaphorically represents steadfast love, which may be fleeting, and the awareness of decay—aligning with the preservation and sustainability of nature, symbolizing eternity. Various forms of art will be employed to explore sustainable relationships between humans and nature, with the goal of establishing Phuket as a sustainable creative art city in the future.
The exhibition will be divided into three main zones, covering all three districts of Phuket Province: Mueang District, Kathu District, and Thalang District.
In addition, there will be parallel academic and cultural activities designed to raise awareness, promote the event, and drive its progress. These aim to educate the public and foster understanding about the origins of the Thailand Biennale and the Ministry’s policies to mobilize cultural capital to stimulate the economy and tourism through this international contemporary art festival.
Knowledge transfer from the Thailand Biennale, Chiang Rai 2023 to the Thailand Biennale, Phuket 2025 is also part of the preparation. This includes adapting the format, approaches, and collaboration models between the Ministry and various sectors, as well as artist selection processes and creative works by Thai and international artists participating in the event.
Over the five-month duration of the Thailand Biennale, Phuket 2025, there will be 13 pavilions exhibiting works from artist groups and art organizations both in Thailand and abroad. These include 7 curated pavilions (from domestic and international selections) and 6 pavilions presented by Phuket Province and other regions.
The Permanent Secretary further stated that the main goal of the Thailand Biennale, Phuket 2025 is to bring together 65 contemporary artists from Thailand and around the world. Currently, 56 Thai and international artists have been selected, and OCAC is in the process of selecting 9 more artists —comprising 4 artists from Thailand, Asia, and other international regions, and 5 Southern Thai artists. This provides an opportunity for Southern artists to exchange knowledge and experiences with international peers, thereby enhancing their skills and raising the standard of Thai contemporary art to the global level.
News/Photos – Phuket Provincial Public Relations Office