What's On BKK: TOYOTA Thailand Open 2025, Kite on the Lake 2025, & More

KAWS: Holiday is back and this time it's swinging by Bangkok, after having globetrotted across countries and cities such as Shanghai, Seoul, Japan, Switzerland, and even outer space!

From May 13 to 25, 2025, KAWS: Holiday will arrive in Thailand, presenting a new installation of KAWS' monumental Companion. Designed by artist Brian Donnelly (aka KAWS), this installation will take over the historic center of Bangkok, Sanam Luang, just steps away from the Grand Palace.

This isn’t just a giant art toy plopped into a park, it’s also a moment of reflection, located in one of the city's most culturally significant public spaces. Sanam Luang, traditionally used for royal cremations and national ceremonies.

The Companion installation towers an impressive 18 meters tall, sits on Earth and gently cradles the Moon, while a much smaller Companion is placed on its lap.  

The pose is tender and symbolic, representing the passing of knowledge, the continuity of tradition, and the ties that bind generations together.

This open-air installation is part of an ongoing collaboration between Hong Kong-based creative studio AllRightsReserved and Central Embassy, who first partnered in 2016 for KAWS BFF — an 8-meter-tall sculpture that drew crowds as early as 5 AM on opening day.

Additionally, an exclusive KAWS: Holiday Thailand collection will drop during the exhibition period, so expect limited-edition pieces and plenty of hype.

Run, don't walk to the grand opening, kicking off at 2 PM on May 13, 2025. Admission is completely free!

For more information, visit KAWS on their website or Instagram. 

Location: Sanam Luang, Ratchadamnoen Nai Road Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang Phra Nakhon Bangkok 10200

Date & Time: May 13 to 25, 2025 (Grand Opening on May 13, 2 PM)

Admission Fee: Free

Mango Art Festival, Thailand’s most vibrant and comprehensive celebration of arts, makes its return from May 7 to 11, 2025, at River City Bangkok. 

Embodying the theme “Connected Worlds,” the festival promises to bring its visitors through a “borderless realm of imagination and arts,” highlights the connections between ideas and cultures that are brought to life by artists, galleries, curators, collectors, and art experts, and indulges visitors in the boundless power of the arts, fostering a profound mutual understanding among people. 

The Mango Art Festival stands as a key driving force for the Thai art industry’s future and brings all art lovers to one space. It also plays an important role in driving art exchanges, encouraging transactions, and shaping the direction of Thailand’s art ecosystem. 

This year’s installment of the Mango Art Festival sets its focus on the commitment to multidimensionally connecting the dots in the world of arts — between artists and audiences, contemporary arts and traditional arts, technology and artworks, and culture and diverse perspectives from around the world. 

The Mango Art Festival 2025 honors three branches of arts – Art, Design, and Performance & Music – through five zones for art lovers to explore and delight themselves in: 

Special Exhibition Zone: Visitors can meet the hottest artists, including “Vayupad,” along with an extensive display of stunning sculptures. Following the success of Mango Art Festival 2024, the zone showcases a curated selection of acclaimed artists who are well-known in the Thai art scene. 

Newcomer Zone: Dedicated to emerging artists who are finding their footing in the art world. 

Independent Artist Zone: The zone presents thousands of unique works from over 50 independent artists that reflect their distinctive styles, techniques, and colors. 

Gallery Zone: Galleries from all over Thailand and abroad gather in this zone to create connections, discover talent, and share inspirations. 

Craft Zone: This zone features a vibrant selection of crafts, designs, and handmade art items in numerous styles, offering visitors a shopping paradise filled with creativity.

Other highlights of the upcoming Mango Art Festival 2025 include an Artist Forum, Art Business Matching, Activities and Workshops, Art Expert Panels and Talks, and Music and Performing Arts Shows.

Excited for the Mango Art Festival? Entrance to the festival is free, but all guests and visitors must register here.

Follow the Mango Art Festival on Facebook and Instagram for more updates and future exhibitions. 

Location: River City Bangkok, 23 Charoen Krung Soi 24

Opening Hours: 11 AM to 8 PM

Admission Fee: Free

25 years since its debut on Thailand’s opera stage, “Madana” will once again grace the Main Hall of the Thailand Cultural Centre on May 7, 2025, at 7:30 PM. 

The opera was composed by Somtow Sucharitkul, and inspired by King Rama VI’s “Madanabadha,” the 2025 remake of the legendary opera coincides with the celebrations of important anniversaries: the 100th anniversary of His Majesty King Rama VI’s reign, the 50th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Indrasakdisachi, the 70th birthday of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, the 40th anniversary of the National Artist Program, and the 25th anniversary of Opera Siam. 

“Madana,” A Grand Opera in Three Acts, is presented by Opera Siam and the Department of Cultural Promotion and will star Thai opera stars and an international cast. 

The titular character, the charming were-rose Madana, will be played by Nadlada Thamtanakom, who started her career as part of the chorus of Opera Siam before moving on to leading roles as a regular member of the Flanders Opera in Belgium. Rising mezzo-soprano star Kridhima Siriwatanakamol will be playing the scheming handmaiden Arali and the celestial Sudeva. 

Other notable cast members include Barbara Zion from Opera Siam, Kenneth Tarver from the Metropolitan Opera, and Damian Whiteley from Zurich Opera. The opera is choreographed by UNESCO traditional dance expert Darren Royston, conducted by Opera Siam resident conductor Trisdee na Patalung. 

The opera will be sung entirely in English, with Thai and English subtitles available. 

Tickets to the grand opera are available via Ticketmelon through donations. These VIP Donor tickets are priced at THB1,200 (Gold Donor) and THB4,000 (Platinum Donor). General admission is by invitation and on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Applications for an invitation are made by contacting Opera Siam through LINE and email.  

Follow Opera Siam on their Facebook page for more information and updates. You may also visit their website for more information. 

Location: Main Hall, Thailand Cultural Centre, 14 Thiam Ruam Mit Road, Bangkok, Bangkok City 10310

Date & Time: May 7, 2025, 7:30 PM