The announcement was made during a press conference held at the ‘House of Tin Baron’ on Satun Rd in Phuket Town. Joining the event were key figures, including Phuket Vice Governor Norasak Suksomboon and Rewat Areerob, President of the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO).
Also present were Anchalee Vanich Thepbutr, President of the Phuket Art Association, Artistic Director Arin Rungjang and representatives from various cultural and artistic organisations.
The Thailand Biennale, Phuket 2025, marks the fourth iteration of the event and will focus on the theme ‘Eternal Eternity’, which aims to highlight the challenges of coexistence between humans and nature. The concept emphasises the need for a sustainable approach to life, respecting the natural world and the diverse rhythms of life. The event is set to take place from November 2025 to April 2026.
Ms Yupha explained that the Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with local administrative organisations, artist networks and private sectors, is committed to making the event a success.
“Phuket’s rich cultural heritage and its ability to bring together various sectors make it an ideal host for this event,” she said. “The festival will not only promote the local economy through cultural tourism but also elevate Thailand’s cultural standing on the international stage.”
The festival will feature a variety of art forms aimed at exploring the concept of time and its impact on the relationship between humans and nature. The Artistic Directors for the event, Arin Rungjang and David Teh, along with Curators Marisa Pantharakratchadet and Hera Chan, have emphasised the importance of understanding the local context, including Phuket’s cultural capital and its potential as a tourist destination.
Artistic Director Arin is renowned as an award-winning ‘Outstanding Contemporary Artist’ and recipient of the esteemed Silpakorn Award 2020
Mr Arin explained that the concept of the event, ‘Niran Kalp’, represents the shared vision of the art director and curator teams. Their goal is to convey the complex relationship between humans, nature and time, he said
“This relationship is strained by various challenges, including ecological degradation, the impact of technology, war, industrial agriculture, and the heavy exploitation of natural resources.
“These problems arise from humanity’s tendency to prioritise its own needs, often at the expense of the environment and the diverse ways in which people live. In this view, everything becomes a tool to serve human interests and create meaning for human existence,” he added.
An official report of the announcement yesterday noted that Sudawan Wangsuphakikosol, who currently still serves as the Minister of Culture, had explained that the Thailand Biennale, Phuket 2025, will offer a chance to reflect on the evolving relationship between humans and nature across different periods.
“The festival encourages us to recognize the natural rhythms that connect us within a shared ecosystem, fostering respect for nature’s various dimensions and the passage of time. By understanding this, we might grasp a deeper, more enduring love for the world. The concept of ‘Kalpava’, symbolising stable love, serves as a metaphor—highlighting that while love can be fleeting, there is an awareness of decay, reminding us of the need to sustain nature, which was once thought to be eternal,” the report noted Ms Sudawan saying.
Vice Governor Norasak expressed Phuket’s readiness to welcome international artists and promote local talent. He hopes that the artworks created during the Biennale will become lasting landmarks for the province.
The exhibition is planned to span across all three districts of Phuket, with various venues, including the Phuket Contemporary Art Gallery, Promthep Cape, Surin Beach Glass Terrace, and the Phuket Mining Museum, among others, he said.
The Thailand Biennale, Phuket 2025, will feature contributions from 60 Thai and international artists. The event will also showcase exhibitions in artists’ houses, highlighting Phuket’s unique blend of natural beauty, history, and culture.
As a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, Phuket is well-positioned to use this event to further its development as a sustainable creative city in the future, he noted.