Thailand Biennale 2025 aims to transform the resort island into a hub for contemporary culture
Phuket, long synonymous with sun-soaked beaches and luxury resorts, is preparing for a very different kind of global showcase. From late November to April next year, the island will host the Thailand Biennale Phuket 2025, an ambitious six-month contemporary art exhibition designed to position the province as more than a leisure destination. Local authorities and cultural leaders hope the event will cement Phuket’s reputation as a serious player on the international art circuit while stimulating tourism and long-term economic value.
From Beaches to Biennale
The biennale, which opens on November 29 and runs through April 30, 2026, is being framed as a strategic pivot. Phuket governor Sophon Suwannarat underscored that the event is not merely about entertainment, but about creating lasting cultural infrastructure. By showcasing world-class works alongside local traditions, the province aims to diversify its economy, reduce its dependence on seasonal tourism, and attract a more globally minded audience.
Anchalee Tephabutra, president of the Phuket Art Association, described the biennale as both a cultural milestone and an economic lever. “It connects Phuket’s local identity with global contemporary art,” she said, stressing the role of the event in boosting tourism, stimulating business activity, and elevating Thailand’s cultural diplomacy.
A Global Stage for Artists
The opening celebrations have already demonstrated the scale of ambition. More than 85 international artists and hundreds of participants are engaging in workshops and creative projects across venues, from cultural landmarks to open-air public spaces. Permanent installations will range from monumental sculptures like Kamol Tassananchalee’s Richest Roller and Pitupong Chaowakul’s The Labyrinth #2 to experimental works such as Nolan Oswald Dennis’s conceptual pieces and Aree Kongpol’s Moon Calendar.
The organizers are also pushing boundaries by blending art with environmental awareness. An underwater sculpture trail, designed to attract divers from around the world, will double as a marine conservation initiative, reinforcing Phuket’s brand as both an artistic and ecological destination.
Culture as Economic Strategy
Phuket’s decision to invest in the biennale reflects a wider trend across Asia, where cities are turning to culture to strengthen global positioning and attract high-value tourism. From Shanghai’s West Bund Art & Design fair to Singapore’s Art SG, art events are increasingly viewed as strategic assets with spillover effects on real estate, hospitality, and international branding.
Phuket, traditionally dependent on mass tourism, is signaling a clear desire to move upmarket. Cultural events, coupled with infrastructure such as curated art trails across landmarks like Saphan Hin and the Clock Tower roundabout, are intended to reshape visitor flows and extend length of stay. The introduction of “Fu-Fu,” a whimsical bat mascot symbolizing happiness, signals that the province is also seeking to create broad-based appeal beyond art insiders.
The Thailand Biennale Phuket 2025 is more than an exhibition; it is a calculated bet on the future of the island. If successful, it could reposition Phuket as a cultural hub capable of competing with regional art centers while supporting Thailand’s broader push for soft power influence. For investors, tourism operators, and policymakers, the initiative offers a case study in how cultural capital can be mobilized for economic diversification.
The months ahead will determine whether Phuket’s beaches can indeed coexist with Biennale-level ambition—or whether the island’s cultural aspirations will remain a seasonal experiment.