Thailand Biennale Phuket 2025’ will actually run from Nov 29, 2025, to Apr 30, 2026.
Regardless, the streets of Phuket Old Town yesterday were filled with colour, as a spectacular parade moved from Dragon Plaza at Queen Sirikit Park to the Chartered Bank Intersection. The procession, reflecting Phuket’s cultural diversity, was followed by the opening performance ‘Home of Peranakan’ and a video introducing more than 65 artists from across the globe.
The ‘opening ceremony’, held at the Chertered Bank Intersection, was jointly staged by the Ministry of Culture, Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO), Phuket Art Association, Phuket City Municipality and more than 20 partner organisations.
Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat delivered the official opening remarks, after being welcomed by Phuket City Mayor Suphot La-ongpetch and PPAO President Rewat Areerob. Highlights included performances ‘The Journey of Andaman’ and ‘Island Opera (Viva La Vida)’, as well as a symbolic ‘City Key’ presentation to the artists by the governor through Kesorn Kamnerdpetch, Director of the Office of Contemporary Art and Culture.
The event also introduced 22 leading international artists, accompanied by Phuket youth in Peranakan costume, underlining the Biennale’s theme ‘My Phuket Island of Arts’.
A reception followed, featuring cultural and contemporary performances, including the signing ceremony of the festival’s mascot ‘Bien Foo Lucky’ ‒ of which 19 versions are for sale at B500,000 each ‒ and a concert by the Phuket Youth Wind Orchestra, the Likay Hulu performance ‘HooLoo Hooray!’, the ‘Eternal GROW’ show, and the unveiling of the first Biennale artworks.
The inaugural pieces included:
- Richest Roller by National Artist Dr Kamol Tasananchalee, installed at Saphan Hin Cape, symbolising prosperity and sustainability;
- THE LABYRINTH#2 by architect Pitupong Chaowakul;
- Dheveena by artist Aree Kongpol.
Anchalee Vanich Thepbutra, President of the Phuket Art Association, presented commemorative pins to participating artists and curators.
Starting at the end of November, the Thailand Biennale Phuket 2025 arts festival will feature permanent sculptures, site-specific installations and art pavilions across the island, linking global contemporary art with Phuket’s culture, heritage and communities.
In the build-up to the Biennale, an ‘International Artist Workshop’ was held from Aug 13-17, gathering 93 Thai and foreign artists, including participants from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Russia, who collaborated on works for the ‘Four Regions Pavilion’. These will be exhibited during the festival.
A highlight of the pre-Biennale celebrations is the unveiling of 15 ‘Nong Bien Foo... Lucky Bats’ mascots, each 1.5 metres tall, designed to embody the happiness and spirit of Phuket people.
Meanwhile, the ‘Asia Link Sketchwalk Phuket 2025’ will bring more than 800 artists from over 50 countries to showcase works at Limelight Avenue Phuket from Aug 18-24.
Governor Sophon stressed that the Biennale is not only an international art showcase but also an investment in Phuket’s creative economy and cultural tourism.
“This Biennale marks a turning point in propelling Phuket onto the world stage as a centre for contemporary art,” he said.
However, so far government officials and Phuket Art Association President Ms Anchalee have declined to answer questions from The Phuket News on how much government funds have already been spent on organising and promoting the Thailand Biennale Phuket 2025 event.