Organised by the Thai Galleries Association (TGA) in collaboration with The Cloud, with UOB as Lead Partner and Siam Paragon as venue partner, art bangkok 2026 has been conceived as more than a platform for exhibiting and acquiring art. At its heart is the ambition to create a space for exchange, discovery and new relationships across the wider art ecosystem — connecting artists and galleries with collectors, institutions, businesses and a new generation of audiences.
Across five days, from 7-11 October 2026, more than 1,500 square metres of exhibition space will offer multiple perspectives on contemporary art — from artistic practice and presentation to collecting, conservation, stewardship, and the people and structures shaping the way art is created, experienced and sustained today.
Suphita Charoenwattanamongkol, Representative of the Thai Galleries Association (TGA), said: "art bangkok was never intended to be simply another art fair. We want it to become a place where relationships within the art world can develop naturally. When artists, galleries, collectors, institutions and audiences come together, what matters is not only what happens during these five days, but also the conversations, relationships and opportunities that continue long after the fair has ended.
"We hope The First Chapter marks the beginning of a platform that can grow alongside Thailand's art community, while building stronger bridges between Thailand, the region and the wider world."
A Fair Built Around Discovery
At the heart of art bangkok is the idea of discovery — creating opportunities for visitors to encounter new works, discover artists they may not yet know, engage directly with galleries, or simply begin a personal relationship with art on their own terms.
Rather than positioning the art fair as a space reserved for established collectors or specialists, art bangkok seeks to open contemporary art to a broader audience and make the experience of engaging with art more welcoming, intuitive and accessible.
Changnoi Kunjara, Managing Director and Co-Founder of The Cloud, said: "We believe a relationship with art does not need to begin with expertise, nor with being a collector. Everyone can discover art in their own way. It may begin with a single work, a conversation with an artist, or simply a feeling that stays with you when you encounter something for the first time.
"If art bangkok can create those moments of discovery and allow art to gradually become a more natural part of people's lives, that is ultimately what we hope this fair can achieve."
Beyond the Artwork: Exploring the Ecosystem That Sustains Art
At the centre of the fair, Gallery Zone — Ways of Seeing brings together galleries and artists from Thailand and abroad, inviting visitors to explore a rich spectrum of ideas, practices and cultural perspectives.
Beyond the gallery presentations, dedicated sections including Past | Present | Future, Museums & Institutions, Art Care & Stewardship and ART ECO SYSTEM expand the conversation beyond the artwork itself — examining questions around history, institutions, collecting, conservation, artistic value and the networks that allow art to grow, endure and be passed on to future generations.
This broader perspective reflects one of art bangkok's key ambitions: to reveal that a vibrant art scene depends not only on artists and galleries, but on an interconnected ecosystem of collectors, institutions, curators, conservators, businesses, audiences and cultural advocates.
Connecting Thai Art with the International Art World
Another defining role of art bangkok is its ambition to strengthen connections between Thailand's art community and international networks at a time when Asia continues to gain influence across artistic production, collecting and the global art market.
Southeast Asia, in particular, is attracting growing international attention for the distinct artistic voices, cultural perspectives and contemporary practices emerging from the region. art bangkok aims to provide a platform where these voices can meet new audiences, collectors and institutions — while giving international participants an opportunity to engage more deeply with Thailand's evolving art scene.
As Lead Partner, UOB extends its long-standing commitment to supporting art and artists across the region through the UOB Art Space, presenting works by artists from the 17th UOB Painting of the Year Thailand and creating further opportunities for their work to connect with collectors, galleries and art networks from Thailand and overseas.
Dhornratana Olanhankij, Country Head of Brand, Media and Communications, UOB Thailand,said: "For Thai artists to establish themselves within the international art market, strong artistic practice must be matched by opportunities to connect with galleries, collectors and new audiences.
"UOB has continued to support artists at different stages of their journey — from identifying and nurturing talent through UOB Painting of the Year to creating opportunities for their work to reach wider markets. Through our role as Lead Partner of art bangkok 2026, we hope to help Thai artists translate recognition for their work into meaningful professional opportunities and build a sustainable presence in the international art world."
Positioning Asian Art in a Changing Global Market
On the opening day, the fair will also host "ART MARKET OUTLOOK 2026: Global Positioning of Southeast Asian and Asian Art" bringing together leading voices from across the international art market to explore the changing position of Asian art within a global context.
The panel features Steven Lee, Managing Director Asia Art Center, Corey Andrew Barr, Fair Director Art Central Hong Kong, Prapavadee Sophonpanich, Managing Director Christie's Thailand & CLMV.
Together, they will examine shifts in collector behaviour, the growth of Asian art markets, the evolving role of art fairs, and the opportunities ahead for artists from Southeast Asia seeking greater visibility on the international stage.
For art bangkok 2026 — The First Chapter, the phrase The First Chapter signifies more than the fair's inaugural edition. It expresses an intention to begin a longer conversation about the future of Thai art — as a space for creativity, a growing collecting market, and an increasingly connected part of the regional and global contemporary art landscape.
art bangkok 2026 — The First Chapter
7-11 October 2026
NEX Hall and Art Jewel, Level 5, Siam Paragon, Bangkok