PHUKET, Aug 18 (TNA) – The vibrant island of Phuket is awash with color this week as artists from across Thailand and the globe arrive to deliver their works for the upcoming Thailand Biennale Phuket 2025.
The event, scheduled from November 29, 2025, to April 30, 2026, will feature pieces from over 90 Thai and international artists. Many have spent the last week touring the island to draw inspiration for their creations.
Among the standout works are brushstrokes on canvases and a series of “Pian Fu” bat mascots. In Chinese culture, bats symbolize good fortune, which is why the Phuket Art Association chose them for the biennale. Each of the 19 unique “Pian Fu” sculptures reflects the individual artist’s perspective.
One mascot, created by a group from Ubon Ratchathani province in Thailand’s northeast, incorporates local cultural elements, such as the cave paintings found at the famous Pha Taem National Park. Another “Pian Fu” mascot, unmistakably from Phuket, is adorned with intricate Peranakan patterns that are unique to the island.
According to the Phuket Art Association, each “Pian Fu” sculpture is valued at 500,000 baht and is a one-of-a-kind piece. These works are being sold to private collectors and organizations to raise funds for the creation of permanent art installations across the island. The goal is to build three permanent sculptures in the first phase, to be installed at Saphan Hin, a popular public park on Phuket.
This initiative is a strategic move to establish Phuket as a top art tourism destination, diversifying its attractions beyond its famous beaches and cultural heritage. The Thailand Biennale Phuket 2025 is not just an exhibition; it’s a kick-off to transform the island into a global city of art. -819 (TNA)
