An Art Lover’s Guide to Bangkok

Home to a glorious collection of Southeast Asian art, the Jim Thompson House Museum comprises six traditional Thai structures filled with artifacts collected by American businessman Jim Thompson—known as the Thai Silk King because he helped save Thailand’s silk industry. Guided museum tours direct you to the site’s most incredible art and architectural features and shed light on intricate silk-weaving techniques. The Jim Thompson Art Center is also part of the complex and exhibits temporary shows by emerging artists in Bangkok.

Free to enter, the Bangkok Art and Culture Center is a sleek and stylish example of modern architecture, said to have been inspired by the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York. The cavernous galleries host a rotating series of exhibitions from international artists, and all of the information panels are in multiple languages, including English and Thai. There is also a quirky selection of cafés, shops, and a stunning library.

As one of Southeast Asia’s largest museums, it’s worth putting aside a couple of hours to explore Bangkok National Museum—where you’ll find thousands of paintings, prehistoric art, bronzes, and sculptures. And it's not just what’s inside that’s impressive: the collection is housed by the 18th-century Wang Na Palace (Front Palace), which demands attention with its gilded panels, brilliant white walls, and sharp angles.

Tucked away in a former Thai shophouse, this ultra-cool cocktail bar doesn’t just serve drinks—it also functions as an art gallery, exhibiting work by up-and-coming Thai artists in its downstairs dining area and on its upper floors. While you admire contemporary sculpture, photography, and painting, you can sip ice-cold drinks and feast on international fusion cuisine. Exhibitions are ever-changing, so check the program before you visit.

Vimanmek Mansion is the largest golden teak structure on the planet, part of the gloriously grand Dusit Palace Complex. But it isn’t just its exterior that oozes elegance—inside this Bangkok mansion, you’ll find furniture formerly used by the Thai royal family, portraits of royalty, exhibitions devoted to former Thai king Rama V, work from Thai artists, and gorgeously manicured lawns and gardens. It’s also home to what’s allegedly Thailand’s first indoor bathtub—not something you hear every day.

Leading the way when it comes to contemporary art in Bangkok is MOCA Bangkok (Museum of Contemporary Art), which shines the spotlight on burgeoning modern artists. Predominantly Thai exhibits explore issues relating to contemporary society and are expertly curated across five floors featuring floods of natural lights and airy high ceilings. In addition to an 88-strong permanent collection, there are temporary exhibitions by Thai and international artists.

Perched on a peaceful part of the Chao Phraya River, the Artist House at Khlong Bang Luang functions as a performance venue and an art gallery. It’s always full of artists drawing and painting and is most famous for hosting a regular Thai puppet show. There is also a selection of artworks exhibited on the upper floors and a gift shop selling sketchbooks in case the riverside setting stirs up some artistic inspiration within you.

Dedicated to art from Myanmar, Vietnam, and Thailand, the crisp and contemporary Thavibu Gallery is a feast for the senses. Its small size doesn’t reflect its grand creative stature—the activist art inside reflects the turbulent political pasts of each country and explores themes of religion, culture, and identity. Mediums include painting, photography, video, and live performance art, and most of the pieces are for sale, too.

Designed to resemble a lotus pond—an important motif in the Buddhist religion—the Pathumwan SkyWalk is lined with lotus-like structures (often confused for mushrooms) and public art, all hovering above the roaring Phaya Thai Road and Rama 1 below. It connects the Bangkok Art & Culture Centre with the sprawling MBK Center Mall and features a selection of social-media-worthy sculptures representing a range of modern Thai artists. It’s a must-see spot to appreciate the contemporary culture of Bangkok.