Where to See the Art in Phuket
Thailand Biennale Phuket 2025 transforms the island into a living gallery from 29 November 2025 to 30 April 2026. The fourth edition of this roving contemporary art exhibition features over 60 artists across historic, natural, and civic spaces. Under the theme “Eternal [Kalpa],” the biennale explores long-term relationships between humans and nature through installations, sculptures, performances, and interactive works.
The Thailand Biennale is Thailand’s premier international contemporary art exhibition, organised by the Office of Contemporary Art and Culture. Previous editions took place in Krabi (2018), Nakhon Ratchasima (2021), and Chiang Rai (2023). The 2025 Phuket edition activates multiple districts simultaneously, creating a network of cultural experiences across the island.
The theme “Eternal [Kalpa]” draws from Hindu-Buddhist concepts of cosmic time, inviting artists to consider diverse temporalities—from daily rhythms to geological cycles. Artistic directors Arin Rungjang and David Teh, with curators Marisa Phandharakrajadej and Hera Chan, have commissioned 50 new works specifically for this edition.
Some of The Venues We Visited
There are exhibitions scattered across 19 different venues on the island! However, not all venues are created equal. Some are quick stops, while others are full-day experiences. There are so many, it will take some time for us to visit them all, so we decided to share those we visited and will keep adding more as we visit new ones. There are exhibitions scattered across 19 different venues on the island! However, not all venues are created equal. Some are quick stops, while others are full-day experiences.
Sukko Pavilion – Four-Region Sala (Phuket)
Sukko Pavilion is a new contemporary art landmark in Phuket, created as an accessible gateway to modern art for the Thailand Biennale 2025. Nestled at a wellness resort in Chalong, it features a cluster of four open-air salas (traditional pavilions) representing Thailand’s regions: North, Northeast, South, and Central, each showcasing art that reflects the unique local culture in a modern light. For example, the Northern Sala (Lanna) evokes the feeling of bringing Lanna art and heritage into Phuket through a fresh curatorial approach. Every regional pavilion offers a distinctive atmosphere celebrating its origin, from the Northeast’s rustic creativity to the South’s coastal heritage on both Andaman and Gulf shores.
At the heart of the Sukko Pavilion is the Sukko Hall, the main exhibition space. Here, the highlight exhibition “The Wheel of Eternal Serenity” unfolds – a curated collection of over 100 artworks by leading Thai artists (including National Artists and renowned masters) from all four regions. Curated by Asst. Prof. Worraphop Tantinanthakul, this central exhibit embodies the Biennale’s Eternal [Kalpa] theme, inviting visitors to experience cycles of time and cultural wisdom through art. The Sukko Pavilion’s blend of regional salas and its central hall creates an engaging journey through Thailand’s diverse artistic landscapes within one venue.
Saphan Hin Park & Mangrove Walkway
Saphan Hin is a wide public park on the waterfront of Phuket Town, known for its open lawns, walkways, and quiet sea views. During the Thailand Biennale, the park becomes one of the main outdoor exhibition areas. Large sculptures and contemporary installations are placed along the shoreline and open spaces, using the breeze, changing light, and wide horizon as part of the experience. Many pieces reflect Phuket’s connection to the sea and the idea of time passing, fitting well with the Biennale’s theme.
Next to the park, the Saphan Hin Mangrove Walkway offers a very different setting. This wooden path leads into a natural mangrove forest, where visitors walk among roots, mudflats, and bird life. Here, the artworks are more discreet, blending with the environment. Some pieces focus on conservation or the natural cycles of the mangroves, creating a slower, more reflective encounter.
Together, the park and walkway form a single coastal venue where art meets everyday life. Visitors can explore open-air installations by the water, then continue into the shaded mangroves to see how the Biennale responds to Phuket’s natural landscape.
Phra Aram Sakhonkhet Mansion
Phra Aram Sakhonkhet Mansion is a historic Sino-Portuguese style house in Phuket Old Town. This elegant white mansion was once the home of a wealthy tin mining family, and it later served as a Thai Airways office. Now beautifully renovated, it stands as an iconic heritage landmark open to visitors.
During the Thailand Biennale 2025–2026, Phra Aram Sakhonkhet Mansion transforms into a vibrant cultural venue for contemporary art. Visitors can explore installations inside two airy halls and a courtyard on the side of the mansion, but not the mansion itself, unfortunately. The exhibition highlights Phuket’s history, people, and diverse culture while featuring sculptures and multimedia installations.
The Society
The Society is a modern lifestyle and community space near Bang Tao Beach, built around cafés, galleries, and small creative shops. The open layout, clean architecture, and relaxed atmosphere make it a natural fit for contemporary art events.
For the Thailand Biennale, The Society becomes a lively coastal venue where installations are placed both indoors and in shared outdoor areas. The displays often focus on modern life, design, and everyday experiences, giving this venue a lighter, more social feel compared to the heritage sites in town. Visitors can explore the artworks while moving between cafés and common areas, making it an easy stop for anyone staying in the Bang Tao and Cherng Talay area.
Thai Hua Museum
The Thai Hua Museum is one of the most beautiful Sino-Portuguese buildings in Phuket Town. Once a Chinese-language school, it now serves as a museum about the island’s Chinese heritage, with classrooms and courtyards restored to their original style. The building’s bright white façade and airy interior make it a calm, elegant place to walk through.
For the Thailand Biennale, the museum becomes a formal indoor venue where the art is presented in a more structured way. Installations are placed in classrooms and galleries, often linking local history with the Biennale’s theme of time and memory. The quiet atmosphere of the museum allows visitors to explore each piece at an easy pace while still enjoying one of Phuket’s most important heritage sites.
Thailand Biennale Map
Read more about Thailand Biennale Phuket 2025
