The unveiling was held at the ‘Mixxmall Rawayana’ at 6pm yesterday (Nov 17).
Joining Governor Sophon for the occasion were prominent attendees including Paphachsorn Meepa, Chairwoman of Phuket Nine Real Estate Development Co Ltd, renowned national Thai artist and Silpakorn Award winner Wasinburee Supanichvoraparch, and Rewat Areerob, President of Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO).
Governor Sophon highlighted the significance of the Thailand Biennale, scheduled from November 2025 to April 2026, as an international platform to elevate Thai contemporary art and cultural tourism.
He emphasised that the event is expected to attract art enthusiasts from around the globe, boosting Phuket’s grassroots economy and showcasing Thailand’s ‘soft power’ in arts and culture.
The featured sculpture ‘Ai-Jud’, created by Mr Wasinburee, has a rich history as a symbol of Thai contemporary art. Originally designed as a ceramic sculpture in 2007, ‘Ai-Jud’ represents a playful, puppy-like figure inspired by Thai street culture, explained an official report of the event.
Over the years, the sculpture has evolved, gaining prominence through exhibitions in Bangkok, Berlin and Venice, where it introduced global audiences to the vibrancy of Thai art.
In 2012, SCG Chemicals innovated a new acrylic material to create a larger, three-metre version of ‘Ai-Jud’, which toured the country, promoting contemporary art in both urban and rural communities.
“By making art accessible and approachable, ‘Ai-Jud’ has become a beloved cultural icon that bridges the gap between traditional and modern Thai aesthetics,” said the report.
The unveiling of ‘Ai-Jud’ in Phuket serves as a prelude to the Thailand Biennale, signalling the province’s commitment to becoming a ‘City of Creative Arts’ and a ‘World Art Destination’, Governor Sophon said.
Local officials and organisations, including Phuket Nine Real Estate Development Co., Ltd., are collaborating to integrate art into Phuket’s cultural and tourism landscape.
In addition to the sculpture, the event also announced plans to construct a Lord Ganesha Sriman Ganapati Temple at Rawai Beach. The temple is to be modelled after India’s Dagadusheth Halwai Ganapati temple in Pune, India
The initiative aims to create a new cultural landmark, further enriching Phuket’s appeal as a premier destination for art and cultural tourism, Governor Sophon said.
“By hosting the Thailand Biennale, Phuket is not only embracing its artistic potential but also creating opportunities for residents and visitors to connect with contemporary art on a deeper level,” Governor Sopon said. “This is a pivotal step in solidifying Phuket’s reputation as an international arts hub.”
Governor Sophon in January confirmed that the Minister of Culture at the time, Sermsak Phongpanich, had selected Phuket to host the Thailand Biennale 2025 festival.
The Thailand Biennale is an international contemporary art exhibition held every two years under an initiative by the Office of Contemporary Art and Culture, under Thailand’s Ministry of Culture.
Governor Sophon reiterated his previous comments that it would be an honour for Phuket to host the month-long festival, which will have numerous soft power advantages such as boosting tourism and creating jobs locally.
Kongsak Koophongsakorn, President of the Phuket Chamber of Commerce, had previously stated estimates that the five-month-long event will create more than 15,000 jobs and attract more than 5 million tourists, with associated revenues expected to exceed B40mn.
Phuket officials have yet to announce how much government budget has been allocated to hosting the event.