ARTS AND CULTURE

Tucked between misty mountains along the Lao border, Nan feels wonderfully remote—a quiet northern province where temples glow with centuries-old murals and village looms still click beneath stilted homes. Now recognised by UNESCO as Thailand’s newest Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art, Nan is finally getting the global spotlight its artisans have long deserved.

As Thailand and China mark 50 years of diplomatic relations in 2025, the milestone reaches far beyond politics—it’s a story that began centuries ago....

The Asian Art Museum of San Francisco is set to return four ancient bronze sculptures to Thailand after determining the artefacts were illegally removed from the country over half a century ago, Thai officials announced this week.

Tucked away in Sankamphaeng, Chiang Mai’s famed craft district, Ban Jang Nak is more than just a woodcarving studio. It is a private museum, a sanctuary of artistry, and a serene eatery where visitors can immerse themselves in the world of traditional woodcarving while marvelling at a stunning collection of elephant sculptures.

Thai archaeologists have uncovered 29,000-year-old human remains at Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, along with prehistoric rock paintings, Thai officials said. The discovery, made at the Rock Art Cave site in Prachuap Khiri Khan province, provides new insights into early human habitation in the region.

From 22 February to 6 April 2025, immerse yourself in the ancient art of Nang Yai at Wat Khanon, Ratchaburi. Witness the dramatic dance of light and shadow as the flames ignite, bringing the legendary Ramayana epic to life in this extraordinary cultural performance.

Time is running out to experience the Bangkok Art Biennale 2024, a city-wide celebration of creativity and culture that has transformed the Thai capital into an open-air gallery.

Amid Bangkok’s shimmering skyline and gilded temple spires lies a lesser-known story: the city’s historic mosques—sacred spaces that whisper tales of migration, trade, and cultural exchange. Beyond their spiritual significance, these architectural gems stand as living chronicles of Bangkok’s diverse heritage, shaped by centuries of global influences.

This February, the UNESCO-listed Sukhothai Historical Park will glow with Sukhothai Light Up: Light & Love, a mesmerising month-long spectacle celebrating history, culture, and romance.

The exhibition, *Siam Through the Pages of Temples and Elephants*, offers a captivating journey into 19th-century Siam through Carl Bock’s original sketches, glass plate photographs, and excerpts from his renowned book. Visitors are transported back in time, experiencing the intricate beauty of Buddhist temples, the majestic elephants that played a key role in transportation, and the tranquil rural life along the Mae Kok River in Chiang Rai.

The Phimai National Museum in Nakhon Ratchasima province, 250 kilometres northeast of Bangkok, is marking Thai Heritage Conservation Day 2025 with a special exhibition titled “Artefacts Returning Home to Phimai”, featuring ancient treasures returning to their original homeland for the first time in nearly a century.

The Twilight at Wiang Kum Kam celebration will return to Chiang Mai on 21–22 December 2024, offering a captivating blend of tradition and contemporary cultural expressions. From 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM each evening, the historic Wiang Kum Kam site will come alive with light, music, and performances, inviting visitors to experience a unique celebration of culture and history.