The tour, held yesterday (Apr 22), started at Sukho Pavilion, Sala 4 Phak, led by Phuket Art Association President Anchalee Vanich Thepbutr, who guided the delegation of artists, organisers and officials to several major exhibition venues across the island.
Stops on the tour included Meuang Chao Fa, Khao Rang and Bangkok Commercial College, all of which have been developed into learning centres and exhibition spaces showcasing contemporary art created for the biennale.
Ms Anchalee said Phuket’s role as host of the Thailand Biennale 2025 had provided a major opportunity to present contemporary art to an international audience through exhibitions spread across the island.
She noted that the decentralised format not only gave artists space to express creative ideas, but also helped connect art with local communities, lifestyles and identity.
“This has helped propel Phuket towards becoming a global ‘Creative Arts City’ and a world art, culture and tourism destination in a tangible way,” she said.
The tour also included a visit to the Sukho Pavilion’s Four Regions Pavilion, where Prof Woraphot Tantinantakul provided an overview of the design concept and the integration of artworks from artists nationwide, reflecting regional identities through contemporary interpretation.
Organisers said the tour highlights the broader impact of the biennale across multiple sectors, including the creative economy, quality tourism and community engagement, while helping position Phuket as a leading international destination for art tourism.
The Thailand Biennale Phuket 2025 is now entering its final days, with a formal flag handover ceremony scheduled to take place at Queen Sirikit Park at 6pm on April 25.
A closing ceremony will follow at Sukho Pavilion, Sala 4 Phak, at 2:30pm on Sunday (Apr 26), marking the official conclusion of the event in Phuket before the biennale moves on to Rayong Province for its next edition.
The closing events will signal the end of months of exhibitions, installations and cultural programming held across the island under the theme of integrating contemporary art with local context and community identity.
The final week of activities follows earlier reports highlighting the biennale’s significant economic and cultural impact.
According to Culture Minister Sabida Thaiseth, the event attracted more than 2.4 million visitors and generated an estimated B28.97 billion in economic activity, boosting tourism and related businesses across Phuket.
The minister described the biennale as a “global art phenomenon” that has helped reshape Phuket’s international image, with coverage by international media underscoring the island’s emergence as a hub for contemporary art and culture.
However, officials did not clarify how many of the reported visitors travelled specifically for the biennale.
Ms Sabida said the event demonstrated the power of art and culture as a driver of economic growth and a key component of Thailand’s soft power strategy, while also delivering income at grassroots level for local communities and entrepreneurs.
In preparation for the transition, officials and organisers from Rayong have already visited Phuket to study exhibition sites and exchange knowledge on hosting the large-scale international event.
The delegation toured key venues including Sukho Pavilion and met with local organisers, including Ms Anchalee and Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation President Rewat Areerob, as part of efforts to build readiness for the Thailand Biennale 2027.
Officials said the knowledge-sharing initiative is aimed at ensuring continuity and further strengthening Thailand’s position as a global centre for contemporary art and cultural tourism.