Our top picks
Morning in a temple with a sculpture in the courtyard. Afternoon in a cool white gallery, with the owner walking you through the work. Bangkok's galleries run from large public art centres to small private rooms by the river. Start with the BACC for contemporary Thai art. Then MOCA for modern masters, River City for private galleries and the Biennale for art in temples.
- Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC). Siam area. Best for contemporary Thai and Asian art. Closed Mondays.
- MOCA Bangkok. North Bangkok. Best for Thai modern art. Closed Mondays.
- River City Bangkok. Riverside. Best for private galleries, antiques and auctions.
- Bangkok Art Biennale venues. Temples and city sites. Best until 28 February 2027.
- The Jim Thompson House Museum. National Stadium area. Best for Asian art in a traditional Thai house.
Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC)
Our verdict: the BACC is the first stop for public art in Bangkok. Admission is free, and it opens Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 20:00, according to the centre. Its changing exhibitions cover contemporary Thai and Asian art, design and photography.
The centre sits in the Siam area, close to the big malls and the BTS Skytrain, so it slots into any city day. Exhibitions change through the year, so we check the programme before you go.
MOCA Bangkok
MOCA Bangkok, the Museum of Contemporary Art, is devoted to Thai modern and contemporary art. Admission is free, and it opens Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00, closed on Mondays, the museum says. It sits in the north of the city.
Why go. MOCA shows how Thai painting and sculpture grew through the twentieth century and into today. It is the calm, spacious answer to the busy temples in the old town.
The museum's own directions start from Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road, so go by car. Give the main halls two hours, then stop for lunch on the way back into town.
River City Bangkok
River City Bangkok, on the Chao Phraya, describes itself as a centre for art and antiques. Collectors come for its galleries, international exhibitions, talks and auctions. It opens daily from 10:00 to 20:00, according to River City.
The galleries listed on its art floor include Siam Masterpieces, NAGI FINE ARTS, SARRAN, Art Focus Bangkok and The Art Haus. Several deal in antiques as well as art. Ask us for the auction calendar before you fly.
Private galleries and private viewings
Many of Bangkok's private galleries are small and open by appointment. Book a private viewing, and the owner or curator meets you at the door. The room is quiet. You ask what you like, and you talk prices without pressure.
The Jim Thompson House Museum. For Asian art in a domestic setting, visit the Jim Thompson House Museum. It opens daily from 10:00 to 17:00, it says, and visitors see the main house with a guide. The collection of Asian art and antiques fills a traditional Thai house, now owned by the James H.W. Thompson Foundation.
River City is the easy start, with several galleries in one building. We call ahead with your interests, from Thai contemporary painting to old Asian art, and plan the visits around lunch by the river.
Bangkok Art Biennale 2026-27
The Bangkok Art Biennale runs from 29 October 2026 to 28 February 2027, according to the Biennale and Thailand's government portal. It spreads art across 11 venues, the organisers say. These include Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Wat Prayurawongsawat, the BACC and One Bangkok.
Other venues listed by the Biennale include the Issara Winitchai Throne Hall and the Art Centre of Silpakorn University. Start with the Biennale art inside working temples, and dress modestly for those.
Our tip. Temples open early and get busy by late morning. Start at Wat Pho or Wat Arun soon after opening, then cross the river by boat. Keep the BACC and One Bangkok for the afternoon, when it is hot outside.
The Biennale suggests a river route for the temples and a city route for the BACC and One Bangkok. See our 2027 events calendar for other dates.
Buying art in Bangkok
If you buy art in Bangkok, ask the gallery for a full invoice and a certificate of authenticity. Antiques and old Buddha images need an export permit from the Fine Arts Department before they leave Thailand. The department publishes the application form and steps.
Shipping and insurance. For larger works, ask for a written quote that covers crating, shipping and insurance to your door. Check what duty your own country charges on art before you buy.
Good galleries help with the paperwork, packing and shipping. Permits are not issued on the spot, so buy early in the trip, not on the last day. Our luxury shopping guide covers the tourist VAT refund for other purchases.
Plan your art day with Tanner
Tell Tanner what kind of art you love and how much time you have. One planner arranges the car, the private viewings, the Biennale guide and lunch by the river. That works for one collector or a group of twenty. Our Thai team calls the galleries in Thai, and we tell you honestly which shows are not worth crossing the city for. Our luxury chauffeur service makes the day easy.
Example plan. One art day, as we would plan it. At eight, a private guide meets you at Wat Pho for the Biennale works before the crowds. A boat crosses to Wat Arun. Lunch is by the river, then a private viewing at River City. The temple morning with guide and car starts from ฿38,000, VAT included, tickets extra.
For the rest of the city, see our Bangkok guide, the Jim Thompson House guide and more experiences.
