Bangkok, 28 October 2026 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), led by Governor Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, attended the opening reception for Bangkok Art Biennale 2026 (BAB 2026) at W Bangkok on 26 October. The fifth edition, themed “Angels & Mara”, will run from 29 October 2026 to 28 February 2027, bringing contemporary art to temples, museums, cultural institutions, and public spaces across Bangkok.
Ms. Thapanee said, “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.”
Presented by the Bangkok Art Biennale Foundation with support from Thai Beverage Public Company Limited, TAT, the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and other partners, BAB 2026 features over 200 artworks by 72 artists representing 29 nationalities. The theme “Angels & Mara” explores the tension between guardians of light and forces of temptation, inviting reflection on the dualities of contemporary life.
The festival spans 11 venues, including Wat Arun, Wat Pho, Wat Prayoon, the National Museum Bangkok, Museum Siam, Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, the Art Centre at Silpakorn University, Alliance Française Bangkok, One Bangkok, centralwOrld and Siam Paragon. Highlights include Leiko Ikemura’s Memento Mori at Wat Pho and Liu Jianhua’s Square (Siamese Triangle) at the National Museum Bangkok, connecting contemporary artistic perspectives with Bangkok’s cultural heritage.
Beyond the main venues, BAB Plus and BAB Fringe extend the programme to galleries, art institutions and independent spaces in Bangkok and neighbouring provinces, creating further opportunities for artistic exchange and cultural discovery.
Held biennially since 2018, Bangkok Art Biennale has become an international platform for contemporary art and creative tourism. The 2024 edition attracted over 1.2 million visitors, generating an estimated 3.54 billion Baht in tourism revenue.
For festival updates and activity schedules, follow Bangkok Art Biennale on Facebook and Instagram at BkkArtBiennale.
