The event was formally announced at a press conference held recently at Limelight Avenue Phuket, led by Phuket Vice Governor Samawit Suphanphai. Joining him were Pattanachai Singhawara, Director of the Southern Region Office of the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), and Anchalee Vanich Thepabutr, President of the Phuket Arts Association.
Also present were Thaneth Tantipiriyakit Tantipiriyakij, President of the Phuket Tourist Association; Anupap Wetchawanichsanong, Vice Chairman of the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO); along with members of the local media and a large public audience.
The Asialink Sketch Walk is expected to draw participants from around Asia to explore and sketch Phuket’s streetscapes, historic architecture, local lifestyles and diverse food culture. Organisers say the event is designed not only as a celebration of art, but also as a platform to promote the island’s unique identity and strengthen its position as a centre for cultural tourism in the region.
Speaking at the launch, Vice Governor Samawit said Phuket was proud to be hosting two major international art events this year: the Thailand Biennale Phuket 2025 and the upcoming Asialink Sketch Walk. “These events reflect the rich cultural and artistic diversity of Phuket and support our vision of sustainable creative tourism,” he said.
Mr Samawit extended an open invitation for residents and visitors to take part in the event and become ‘art hosts’ ‒ people who help showcase the beauty of Phuket through personal interaction, hospitality and artistic exchange. “Phuket hopes that the Asialink Sketch Walk will not only enhance awareness of local arts and culture, but also build long-term value for the province through international engagement,” he said.
The event will feature guided sketch walks through heritage areas, workshops, exhibitions, and cultural exchanges, with a focus on community participation and environmental sensitivity.
Ms Anchalee from the Phuket Arts Association emphasised the importance of connecting communities through art, saying the Sketch Walk would “inspire new ways of seeing Phuket” while celebrating the everyday beauty of its landscapes and people.
Organisers also hope the event will further elevate Phuket’s profile as a year-round destination beyond its beaches, aligning with efforts to diversify the local economy through art, culture and creativity.