Bangkok Art Biennale opens today across 11 venues

What has changed

Bangkok Art Biennale 2026 opens to the public today, 29 October, turning temples, museums and other city venues into a contemporary-art route that continues until 28 February 2027.

The fifth edition, titled Angels & Mara, brings together 72 artists and collectives from 29 countries, with more than 200 works. The public opening date is confirmed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s programme and Time Out Bangkok’s 28 October visitor preview.

Eleven main venues across the capital

The organiser’s current guide lists Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Wat Prayoon, the National Museum Bangkok, the Art Centre at Silpakorn University, Museum Siam, Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, Alliance Française Bangkok, One Bangkok, centralwOrld and Siam Paragon.

That spread gives visitors a choice between combining art with the historic riverfront and visiting more central cultural and shopping districts. Use the organiser’s official venue map to choose a manageable route rather than trying to cover every location in one day.

Check entry arrangements for each stop

Time Out lists free admission to the biennale, while advising visitors to check individual venue entry arrangements and opening hours. A festival admission statement should not be treated as a promise that every host site has identical access conditions or opens at the same time.

Before travelling, confirm the venue’s own rules, the location of the work and any programme-specific instructions. For temple visits, plan clothing and conduct appropriate to the host site and follow staff guidance.

A programme beyond one exhibition hall

The theme connects Bangkok’s identity as the City of Angels with ideas of temptation, conflict and the choices shaping contemporary life. The programme covers multiple forms of contemporary art, with public events and partner exhibitions extending the experience beyond the main venues.

The TAT report also records an opening reception held on 26 October. That occasion is separate from today’s start of public visits. Check the current official programme for individual talks, performances and any changes during the four-month run.