The 4th Bangsaen Gallery 2025
The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on global tourism. In response, the Bangsaen Gallery project was initiated in Saensuk Municipality, Chonburi Province, based on the concept that cultural capital, including artistic heritage and performing arts, was a valuable asset passed down through generations. This cultural wealth had the potential to generate substantial national revenue. The Bangsaen Gallery project aimed to make art museums and galleries more accessible to the public and to promote artistic and cultural activities that could drive social engagement and creative community spaces. The Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, in collaboration with its network of partners in art, culture, and design, organised the 4th Bangsaen Gallery 2025. This fourth edition, held in 2025, sought to promote local traditions and cultural heritage while serving as a bridge connecting artistic narratives with the community through the perspectives of artists. The project also expanded creative community networks, linking government agencies, private sector businesses, entrepreneurs, artists, creatives, and cultural professionals, spanning from the local level in Chonburi to the national and international arenas. Additionally, it fostered new and diverse tourism trends by establishing annual cultural events and artificial attractions that enhanced the tourism sector. This initiative not only revitalised the community’s spirit but also strengthened the creative industry within the framework of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), contributing to national economic growth. The project ultimately aligned with the Creative Economy policy, supporting artists and creatives in presenting contemporary art and culture alongside the unique cultural context of the city.
This project aims to…
1. To establish an annual festival featuring new artificial attractions, promoting a more diverse tourism industry in Chonburi that could cater to a broader range of visitors.
2. To preserve and promote local traditions and cultural heritage through artistic and cultural activities that were integrated into their surroundings, making art museums and galleries more accessible via hotels, restaurants, and cafés.
3. To enhance the quality of life in the area by leveraging art and cultural capital to generate income and foster a stronger, more cohesive community through artistic engagement.
4. To elevate the value of public spaces by incorporating art and design into the urban landscape, enriching the community’s aesthetic and cultural environment.
5. To develop and strengthen networks among artists, government agencies, private enterprises, business owners, and cultural professionals, spanning from the local creative sector in Chonburi to national and international levels.
The Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, in collaboration with various organisations, including Chonburi Provincial Administrative Organization, Saensuk Municipality, the Office of Contemporary Art and Culture (Ministry of Culture), the Creative Economy Agency (CEA), Chonburi Provincial Tourism and Sports Office, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (Pattaya Office), the Chonburi Provincial Cultural Office, the Association for the Promotion and Development of Photography, Panasonic Lumix, and local hotels, restaurants, and cafés organised The 4th Bangsaen Gallery 2025, featuring the following activities: ART IN CAFÉ & HOTEL: Brought art and culture to the public and tourists by integrating artistic and cultural exhibitions into Bangsaen’s Café Hopping culture, displaying works in cafés, restaurants, and hotels. MUSIC & PERFORMANCE: Showcased musical and performance art that reflected cultural heritage, engaging audiences in restaurants and cafés. ART WORKSHOP: Provided educational sessions on various aspects of art and design to festival attendees. FILM ON THE BEACH: Featured screenings of movies on the sandy shores of Bangsaen Beach. ART BIKE TOUR: Offered a guided cycling tour featuring art installations and cultural activities along designated routes, promoting both physical and mental well-being. ART TALK: Created a platform for local artists to foster an Artist Ecosystem. The 2025 theme was “Creative City Development Through Art in Eastern Coastal Tourist Destinations.” INTERNATIONAL KITE FESTIVAL: Thai Kite Competition, a key event in the Inflatable Kite Show: “Drifting on the Wind: Admiring the Charm of Thai Kite Culture”.
The project successfully enhanced urban spaces by integrating art and design into Bangsaen’s landscape while boosting the revenue of local businesses through increased attendance at the annual art festival. By developing artificial attractions, the initiative strengthened Chonburi’s tourism sector, attracting a diverse range of visitors and reinforcing local traditions and cultural heritage. The Bangsaen Gallery 2025 event garnered widespread publicity, resulting in significant offline and online engagement, with over 600,000 online interactions and more than 35,000 attendees. Additionally, the festival promoted skill development in art and design through various workshops, enabling participants to gain valuable professional experience.
Project Leader: Assistant Professor Dr. Bunchoo Bunlikhitsiri, Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts