We’ve seen what a combination of a pandemic and neglect for the arts can do to beacons of culture in Thailand, so let’s make sure our favourite galleries and museums don’t suffer the same fate while we can. Here’s a micro list of some of our favourite museums and galleries that have wonderful exhibitions and things to see right now. Grab a friend and hop away ASAP!
Photos: Courtesy of ATT19 
If you haven’t been to ATT19 yet, you’re sorely missing out on Bangkok’s best new art venue. Period. Run by visionary curator Mook Attakanwong and her family, ATT19 is a quaint architectural gem, tucked away in Bangkok’s creative district, that houses a great standing collection of antiques as well as exhibitions. This week is your last chance to catch A Room Full of Women at ATT19, a collection of works by Thai women, each with a distinct point of view and style of expression. There is also a special one-off performance by Thai artist Note Panayanggool tomorrow, July 10, at 6pm.Â
ATT19
19 Captain Bush Lane, Charoen Krung Road
Open Tuesday-Sunday 11am-7pm
fb.com/att19.bkk, 02-639-5871
Photo: Courtesy of Bangkok Citycity Gallery
Hop to Bangkok CityCity Gallery afterwards for Give Us A Little More Time, an exhibition of the Chulayarnnon Siriphol’s collage work during a time of democratic hiatus in Thailand (2014-2019). The name of the exhibition is a borrowed lyric from the military junta’s original song, Happiness, which was broadcasted on national television daily during that period. Study and infer from Chulayarnon’s hodge-podge of imagery, many of which were sourced from Thai newspapers, something the artist is also critical of.Â
Bangkok Citycity Gallery
13/1 Sathorn 1, South Sathorn Road
Open Wednesday-Sunday 1-7pm
bangkokcitycity.com, 083-087-2725
River City Bangkok’s curation team kept themselves busy during the coronavirus lockdown period, gathering art that has come about from and is directly inspired by the pandemic itself. A wonderfully relevant exhibition that helps us see these hard times in colourful terms or help unite us through the human condition, #artnodistance features submissions from both professional and amateur artists in seven different categories: self-reflection, new activities, COVID-19 and makes, the city, conceptualism, love expression and escape. The exhibition can be viewed at RCB Galleria 3 and rooms 242-243 on the 2nd floor of the complex.
River City Bangkok
23 Charoen Krung Soi 24
Open Monday-Friday 11am-8pm, Saturday-Sunday 10am-8pm
rivercitybangkok.com, 02-237-0077Â
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Besides the works of a host of local artists to admire here, one reason to visit or revisit Thailand’s Museum of Contemporary Art now is the Richard Green Room, a space inside the museum that emulates the interiors of European museums, transporting you to the likes of the Lourve or London’s National Gallery. Previously banning photography, MOCA is now allowing visitors to shoot all they want in the Green Room. Find pre-modern paintings and sculptures bought from Richard Green Gallery in London.Â
Museum of Contemporary Art Bangkok
499 Kamphaengphet 6 Road
Open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-6pm
mocabangkok.com, 02-016-5666-7
Photo: Courtesy of Gareth Sheehan
Patpong will never be the same again after COVID. In fact, Patpong has changed so much over the last century. Did you know that this district was once the hub of the CIA during post-war and Cold War eras? Did you know that the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand (FCCT) used to be based in Patpong or that not just David Bowie but Steven Tyler, Hugh Grant and Jean-Claude Van Damme all have footprints here? All the secrets of Patpong and more are unlocked at the Patpong Museum, located where else…
Patpong Museum
5, 2 Patpong Soi 1
Open daily 11am-8pm
patpongmuseum.com, 091-887-6829
See also: Thai Youth Orchestra To Broadcast From Thailand Cultural Centre
