Bangkok (Lonely Planet) - Andrew Burke [148]
There are smaller branches of Ardel off Th Sukhumvit and in Bangkok’s Chinatown neighbourhood – see the website for details.
BANGKOK ART & CULTURE CENTRE (BACC)
Map
0 2214 6630; www.bacc.or.th; cnr Th Phayathai & Th Phra Ram 1, Siam Sq; 10am-9pm Tue-Sat; National Stadium exit 3
This large, modern building in the centre of Bangkok is the most recent and promising addition to the city’s arts scene. To date, the compound’s three floors and 3000 sq metres of gallery space have played host to several high-quality exhibitions, but bureaucratic setbacks have delayed the library and art-related shops and restaurants slated for the rest of the structure.
BANGKOK UNIVERSITY ART GALLERY (BUG)
Map
0 2350 3500; http://fab.bu.ac.th/buggallery; 3rd fl, Bldg 9, City Campus, Th Phra Ram IV, Greater Bangkok; 9.30am-7pm Tue-Sat; Phra Khanong exit 3 & taxi
This spacious new compound is located at what is currently the country’s most cutting-edge art school. Recent exhibitions have encompassed a variety of media by some of the country’s top names, as well as the work of internationally recognised artists.
FOREIGN CORRESPONDENTS’ CLUB OF THAILAND (FCCT)
Map
0 2652 0580; www.fccthai.com; Penthouse, Maneeya Center, 518/5 Th Ploenchit; noon-2.30pm & 6pm-midnight; Chit Lom exit 2
A bar-restaurant, not to mention gathering place for the city’s hacks and photogs, the FCCT also hosts art exhibitions ranging in genre from photojournalism to contemporary painting. Check the website to see what’s on.
Gallery Ver
Map
0 2861 0933; www.verver.info; 2nd fl, 71/31-35 Klongsarn Plaza, Th Charoen Nakhorn, Thonburi; 1-6pm Tue-Sat; cross-river ferry from Tha Si Phraya (N3)
Owned by Rirkrit Tiravanija, Thailand’s most internationally recognised artist, this gallery on the Thonburi side of the river hosts a rotating display of typically edgy, installation-type conceptual art. The easiest way to reach Ver is to take the cross-river ferry from Tha Si Phraya. The gallery is directly behind the pier on the Thonburi side.
H GALLERY
Map
0813 104 428; www.hgallerybkk.com; 201 Soi 12, Th Sathon; 10am-6pm Wed-Mon; Chong Nonsi exit 1
Housed in a refurbished colonial-era wooden building, H is generally considered among the city’s leading private galleries. It is regarded as a jumping-off point for Thai artists with international ambitions, such as Jakkai Siributr and Somboon Hormthienthong.
JAMJUREE ART GALLERY
Map
0 2218 3708; Jamjuree Bldg, Chulalongkorn University, Th Phayathai, Siam Sq; 10am-7pm Mon-Fri, noon-6pm Sat & Sun; Siam exit 2 & taxi
This gallery, part of Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Arts, emphasises modern spiritual themes and brilliantly coloured abstracts from emerging student artists.
JIM THOMPSON ART CENTER
Map
0 2216 7368, 0 2215 0122; www.jimthompsonhouse.com; Jim Thompson House, 6 Soi Kasem San 2, Th Phra Ram I, Siam Sq; 9am-5pm; klorng boat to Tha Ratchathewi; National Stadium exit 1
This popular tourist destination has added an entire new gallery wing with rotating displays ranging from the contemporary to the traditional. Recent exhibitions have included a display of traditional Lao textiles, as well as an interactive work by Pinaree Sanpitak, one of the country’s top female artists.
KATHMANDU PHOTO GALLERY
Map
0 2234 6700; www.kathmandu-bkk.com; 87 Th Pan, Silom; 11am-7pm Tue-Sun; air-con 76, 77, 177, 504, 514, 547 & MB12, ordinary 77, 162, 163 & 164; Surasak exit 3
Bangkok’s only gallery truly dedicated to photography is housed in an attractively restored Sino-Portuguese shophouse. The owner, photographer Manit Sriwanichpoom, wanted Kathmandu to resemble