On its 8th edition, Bangkok Design Week 2025 continues to harness the power of creativity in redefining urban spaces and fostering growth in the creative industries. The festival has contributed over THB3.19 million to the economy, attracted more than 2.51 million visitors, and strengthened the city’s status as a City of Design under the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN).
Beyond that, Bangkok Design Week has given new life to once-quiet neighborhoods like Charoen Krung, Talad Noi, Hua Lamphong, and Pak Khlong Talad and turned them into thriving Creative Economy Districts.
As part of Bangkok Design Week 2025, designers and cross-sector collaborators are showcasing cutting-edge projects that emphasize the potential of creativity to reshape cities. These works reflect how design can tackle urban challenges, elevate communities, and open pathways for sustainable growth, while reimagining Bangkok’s future as a city thriving on innovation and inclusivity.
Transforming Overlooked Spaces into Vibrant Public Areas
Bangkok is one of the most crowded cities in the world, and while municipal budgets and policies aren’t enough to solve this challenge, innovative design provides exciting solutions to reimagining Bangkok’s limited spaces.
An example of this is “Prompt Park,” a collaboration between we!park, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, and the Embassy of the Netherlands in Thailand. This project reconstructs unused land found under the expressway into a vibrant public park for relaxation and community gatherings. “Prompt Park” uses climate-resilient features that were designed with Dutch expertise in urban planning and creates a functional space that addresses both environmental and urban needs.
Another we!park initiative transforms private land into a “Pop Up Park,” a flexible green space that’s open to people of all ages and offers a variety of activities. This demonstrates how public parks don’t need to be restricted to government-owned land and ultimately creates a model for urban greenery.
Other projects include “MinutePocket_UrbanBed” by SP/N Design Studio, “Puppup Parklet” by Urban Ally, and “Playground” by Attention Studio.
Using Design to Solve Persistent Urban Challenges
Design is a key tool for addressing Bangkok’s urban challenges, especially those tied to daily life. MAYDAY! shifts its focus from buses to Songthaews, Bangkok’s iconic shared pickup trucks.
These vehicles face issues such as safety, comfort, and outdated designs that fail to accommodate all users, even with their decades of service to the public. The Songthaew Transformation exhibition presents design solutions to address these problems, and offers practical ways to modernize the songthaew for all commuters.
Another project tackling urban problems is the “Street Vendor Grease Trap” by Everyday Architect Design Studio. This portable grease trap, designed for street food vendors, prevents clogged drains caused by food waste while doubling as a parking aid for carts. It’s a novel example of how a small-scale design can make a big difference in city management.
The ”GAGEENANG” project was inspired by a love for Bangkok’s vibrant street food culture and the iconic plastic chairs found at food stalls throughout the city. The project transforms these everyday chairs by covering the hole in the seat and providing a built-in storage tray for personal belongings, enhancing both comfort and convenience for diners.
Plus, some of these chairs are already being used in select eateries in Yaowarat.
Promoting Environmental Awareness
Some innovative design solutions presented at Bangkok Design Week 2025 have been inspired by Bangkok’s long-standing environmental challenges. One project is the “Mega Mat” by MVRDV Architects, created in partnership with CEA (Creative Economy Agency), the Embassy of Netherlands in Thailand, and PTT Global Chemicals. This 860-square-meter recycled plastic mat is based on traditional Thai mat designs and converts plastic waste into a functional public installation.
Another project is the “Habitat Network” by AP Thailand, aimed to restore biodiversity in Bangkok’s urban areas. This project creates green spaces to attract native bird species through urban forests and proves how an ecological balance can thrive even in the most densely populated cities.
Energizing Businesses Through Creativity
Time and time again, creativity has proved to also be a powerful driver for business growth and innovation. NEIGHBOURMART Bangkok is a prime example of this. A marketplace of local businesses in Bangkok that’s created by CEA, in collaboration with the design team at iliU, NEIGHBOURMART curates products from local shops and nostalgic vendors across the city.
This revives the charm of traditional grocery stores and corner shops in Bangkok, where visitors can discover vintage finds like a Roses brand sweet soy sauce that’s been traditionally fermented in clay jars, or Mho Mee herbal inhalers, a nostalgic favorite that’s slowly becoming popular once again.
Another project is Made in Phranakorn, which matches creative professionals with long-standing local businesses in Bangkok’s Phranakorn district. This initiative focuses on rebranding and modernizing classic products while retaining their authenticity.
Creative House by CEA showcases over 60 exceptional creative businesses selected by the Creative Economy Agency, or CEA, in partnership with Capital, a leading business publication. This campaign plans to foster new business opportunities, generate revenue, and create jobs through the power of creativity.
Transforming Bangkok into a City That Leaves No One Behind
Bangkok is embracing its identity as a city for everyone. With this focus on inclusivity and innovation, different projects have been formulated at Bangkok Design Week 2025 to address different challenges that affect various groups including the elderly, children, and stray animals.
One example is the creation of the “Thai Alphabet Flashcards (Flashcards Kor-Hor)" by a mother and a team of designers, which addresses the major shortfall in Thai educational tools. Another example also focusing on children is the “Little more+” exhibition by Keep Right, which sheds light on the hidden stories of small businesses in Bangkok’s Salak Hin Alley.
This grew out of an initiative called “Kid Guides of Salak Hin,” which also identified the problem of tourists overlooking local businesses due to unfamiliarity. Through the voices of young guides, this exhibition encourages guests to explore and support these small, community-driven businesses and helps them thrive in the currently competitive landscape.
Extending to animals, the “Stand for Strays: Catsanova+ Ordinary Little Dogs” initiative is a collaboration between government agencies, NGOs, and private individuals to tackle the problems of stray cats and dogs. It raises awareness of the importance of sterilization and adoption and promotes responsible care for stray animals.
With regard to aging, the design team at RISE IMPACT created the “Redesign Services for the 60s+” workshop to start conversations about how safe, accessible, and enjoyable Bangkok will remain for its elderly residents.
Through interactive activities, participants are invited to step into the shoes of senior citizens living in a bustling city. The workshop highlights the challenges of aging — from declining physical mobility and health to feelings of vulnerability and isolation. It aims to give visitors a deeper understanding of the realities faced by the elderly and the importance of making cities accessible for all ages.
Bangkok Design Week: Redefining the City Through Creativity
Bangkok Design Week 2025 has become an important platform to show how creativity can bring about meaningful change. From solving urban challenges to supporting inclusivity and sustainability, the festival continues to inspire fresh perspectives on the role of creativity in everyday life.
For more information, visit the Bangkok Design Week website, and their Facebook, X (Formerly Twitter), and Instagram pages.
