Bangkok Galleries

Bangkok has a small but very vibrant contemporary art scene. Since most of the city's small private or commercial galleries promote Thai and regional artists, a day of gallery hopping is a great way of getting a taste of the local scene. Operating in a relatively unresponsive environment, artists and gallery owners in Bangkok have become quite innovative in their attempts to attract domestic crowds.

Like with many things in Bangkok, you'll soon discover that there is no concentrated art arena and that the city's galleries are pretty much scattered all over town. Hence, if you would like to immerse yourself into Bangkok's contemporary art scene, plan your route in advance. Or better yet, have a look at our What's On - Art Exhibitions section. Who knows, you might even return with a piece of contemporary artwork to hang up on your wall.

Housed in a former Royal Mint built during the reign of King Rama V, the National Gallery displays work by Thai artists from the 17th Century onwards. Inherited by the Department of Fine Arts in 1974, it includes permanent exhibitions of works by King Rama VI and H.M. King Bhumibhol Adulyadej, traditional murals from early periods in the capital's history, and pioneering Thai modern art. Particularly evident is the influence of Western schools of art, like impressionism and cubism, on recent Thai artists. There is also an area featuring temporary exhibitions of art from home and abroad, everything from painting and sculptures to prints and installations.

Open: 09:00 - 16:00 (Wednesday - Sunday)
Location: 4 Chao-Fa Road, opposite the National Theatre, Rattanakosin
Admission: 30 baht tourists, 10 baht Thais
Contact: +66 (0)2 282 2639

Named after its street address, 100 Tonson Gallery is a striking space set in a private residence covering a total space of 100 square metres. At the forefront of private art spaces in Bangkok, 100 Tonson Gallery aims to promote the contemporary art scene and exhibits artworks by Thai and international artists including paintings, sculptures and photographs, as well as installations, new media and conceptual- based art. Swanky and trendy!

Open: 11:00 - 19:00 (Thursday - Sunday)
Location: 100 Soi Tonson, Ploenchit Road
Contact: +66 (0)2 684 1527
Skytrain: Very close to Chidlom station; parking available

Opened as part of the vegetarian restaurant The Tamarind Cafe - an excellent eatery by the way - Gallery F-Stop is the place to see superb photography and is regarded as the premiere photo gallery in Bangkok. Gallery F-Stop exhibits photographic works by local, regional and international artists and displays artworks ranging from black and white, analog to digital, fine art and documentary. Definitely worth a visit, the Tamarind Cafe presents a pleasant and spacious atmosphere to not only enjoy sumptuous vegetarian dishes but to admire art. The gallery and caf- are located about 300m down Sukhumvit Soi 20.

Open: 15:00 - 00:00 (weekdays); 10:00 - 00:00 (weekends)
Location: 27 Sukhumvit Soi 20
Contact: +66 (0)2 663 7421
Skytrain: Phrom Pong or Asok

Established in 1999, H Gallery specialises in contemporary art and exhibits the works of emerging Thai and Asian artists. Located in the heart of Bangkok, H Gallery is set in a 125-year-old Anglo-Thai mansion and exudes a calm and friendly atmosphere. Two separate exhibition spaces are available in the minimalist two-storey gallery displaying paintings, photography and textiles. Exhibitions are held regularly, often monthly.

Open: 12.00 - 18:00 (Thursday - Saturday); Sunday - Wednesday by appointment or by chance
Location: 201 Sathorn Soi 12
Contact: +66 (0)1 310 4428

The place represents talented Thai and Asian artists; it also features inspiring paintings and sculptures in its regular art exhibitions. La Lanta houses an extensive selection of international art prints for home decoration. Adult art classes at beginner and advanced levels are also provided, conducted in small groups by experienced artists. Moreover, art-related products such as notebooks and art frames to enrich your home collection and lifestyle are brought to you as well.

Open: 10:00 - 21:00 (Tuesday - Sunday)
Location: 657 Baan Silom (corner of Silom 19), Silom Road
Skytrain: Surasak
Contact: +66 (0)2 266 9180-1

The Queen's Gallery opened in 2003 in response to Her Majesty Queen Sirikit's initiative to create a permanent public space to exhibit and promote the works of both established and up-and-coming Thai artists. Set in a five-storey building, the gallery covers 3,700 square metres of minimalist space to showcase permanent as well as changing exhibitions.

Open: 10:00 - 19:00; closed on Wednesdays
Location: 101 Ratchadamnoen Klang Road (near Phan Fah Bridge)
Contact: +66 (0)2 281 5360-1
Admission: 20 baht

Located at the colonial style Neilson Hays Library, the Rotunda Gallery is a beautiful, compact and circular room that has become a popular exhibition space for Thai and international artists. Monthly exhibitions showcase all sorts of art forms and styles.

Open: 09:30 - 16:00 (Tuesday - Sunday)
Location: Neilson Hays Library, 195 Suriwongse Road
Contact: +66 (0)2 233 1731

Surapon Gallery was commercially established in 1997 to present quality art by Thai artists to the public. The gallery started out by showing realistic paintings. Two years later the gallery introduced abstract paintings and expressionist portraiture paintings as well as ceramic pieces by local artists.
Adhering to the same core principle of giving good quality art to our existing and potential clients as well as the general public, Surapon is a functional and practical part of the growing and stimulating contemporary art scene in Thailand.

Open: 10:00 - 19:00 (Monday - Friday), 12:00 - 18:00 (Sunday)
Location: 1st Floor Tisco Tower, 48/3 North Sathorn Road
Contact: +66 (0)2 218 2964

Ta means eyes and du means to look in Thai, so Tadu Gallery is a place where you get pleasure from what you see. The space exhibits and promotes Thai contemporary art and culture. The gallery also presents performances, films and workshops. Tadu holds six multi-disciplinary art exhibitions annually.

Location: 7th Floor Barcelona Motors Bldg., 99/2 Tiamruammit Road
Contact: +66 (0)2 645 2473

This contemporary art gallery primarily promotes art from Thailand, Vietnam and Burma, hence the name Thavibu, but also presents works from other Asian countries. The venue regularly organises exhibitions.

Open: 11:00 - 19:00 (Tuesday - Saturday); 12:00-18:00 Sundays
Location: Silom Galleria Building, 3rd Floor, Suite 308, 919/1 Silom Road
Contact: +66 (0)2 266 545-4

Founded in 2001, this gallery specialises in Chinese contemporary art. On 330 square metres, Tang Gallery exhibits all types of art including portraits, landscapes and abstracts, oil, acrylic, watercolour, painted photography, woodcuts, sculptures, and prints. Monthly exhibitions feature both successful Chinese and Thai artists.

Open: 11:00 - 19:00 (Monday - Saturday)
Location: Unit B-28, The Silom Galleria, 919/1 Silom Road
Contact: +66 (0)2 630 1114

Located near the port, this private university gallery regularly exhibits young emerging as well as established Thai artists. This place tends to display more experimental multidisciplinary art.

Open: 9:30-19:00 (Tuesday - Saturday)
Location: 2nd - 4th Floor Bangkok University International College (BUIC) Building , Kluaynam Thai Campus, Rama IV Road
Contact: +66 (0)2 235 3500

Considered the most progressive university gallery, the large open space at Chulalongkorn Art Centre attracts some of Thailand's most cutting-edge artists, as well as thematic group exhibitions by both local and international artists.

Open: 09:00 - 19:00 (Monday - Friday); Saturday 09:00 - 20:00
Location: 7th Floor Centre of Academic Resources Building, Chulalongkorn University, Phayathai Road
Contact: +66 (0)2 218 2965