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Street Art at Its Finest: 10 Graffiti Spots You MUST See in Thailand
Graffiti could be the last thing on your mind when visiting Thailand, a land filled with jaw-dropping Buddhist temples and world-renowned beaches. Then again, you might want to take a quick peek as the art form has more than just existed—it has flourished.
Thanks to Bukruk, an international art exhibit done in Bangkok in 2013 and 2016, graffiti in Thailand has been given a shot in the arm. What was once taboo and worth banning is now positively seen as a timely tool to keep the streets beautiful and safe.
But be warned: Not every painting on a street wall screams art. Don’t worry though, below are 10 of the best graffiti spots in Thailand that will surely take your breath away right in the leading centers of the nation: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket. Read on.
Soi Charoen Krung 32
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Address: Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand
Operating Hours: 24 Hours (Monday – Sunday)
What better way to find the best graffiti in Thailand than in the capital itself? Soi Charoen Krung 32 and other even-numbered alleys in the Charoen Krung in Bang Rak District showcase how street art can change drab alleys into people’s magnets.
The street art scene at Charoen Krung alleys is a proud product of the Bukruk Urban Arts Festival in 2013 and 2016. Bukruk means invasion in Thai and the collaborative event portrayed exhibits by the most celebrated Thai and European artists of the day.
Alex Face (Patcharapol Tangruen) is the most celebrated of these Thai street artists. His child in a rabbit suit mural “Mardi” is perhaps the most sought-after painting, an artwork dedicated to his daughter who bears the name, in Soi Charoen Krung 32.
Pro Tip:
Soi Charoen Krung 32 is a public alley and, as is often the case, there will be street vendors and all sorts of buyers hanging around. For better timing, it’s best you visit the street after 3 PM when it is free of peddlers.
Ratchathewi District
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Address: Ratchathewi District, Bangkok, Thailand
Operating Hours: 24 Hours (Monday – Sunday)
Another urban art worth seeking is in Bangkok’s Ratchathewi District. When you go for it, the walk to this famous street art scene may seem like a treasure hunt as you’d be looking for an art goldmine tucked in hidden alleyways.
Ratchathewi is in central Bangkok. To see the iconic Bangkok street art, head towards Siam Square, a busy shopping neighborhood with all the hustle and bustle of city living, and look for Chaloemla Park, also dubbed Graffiti Park, just a few minutes walk away.
Behold Chaloemla Park, another product of the Bukruk Festival, is truly cutting-edge graffiti in Thailand. Many call it an “urban art haven,” a beacon for modern local artists that’s worth the hassle so get your cameras ready for jaw-dropping, life-changing art.
Pro Tip:
From Graffiti Park, head for the walls in the neighboring Saen Saep Canal. Once you’ve had your fill of street artwork there, proceed to the Siam Square pier and the Jim Thompson House for another round of heart-stopping artwork.
Phra Khanong
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Address: Phra Khanong, Bangkok, Thailand
Operating Hours: 24 Hours (Monday – Sunday)
Phra Khanong, one of the 50 districts of Bangkok, is home to an emerging street art scene. We’re talking about walls near the W District Bangkok, within walking distance from the Phra Khanong BTS bus station at the back of the E88 building.
Take time to look up as urban art is all over the place on your way boarding a bus. Tons of murals and street art will take your breath away here but keep an eye on Bonus TMC’s work which usually uses funky animals as main characters.
Bonus TMC (Akkaraphon Monthathong) is another celebrated Thai street artist from the Bukruk Festival. With a body of work enjoyed worldwide, he’s an established international artist who has worked with top brands such as Toyota and Nike.
Pro Tip:
If you want to be certain where to find beautiful street art in Phra Khanong, drop by Rebel Art Space which can be found in Soi Srichan, Sukhumvit 67. After which, check out GOJA Gallery Cafe just nearby for more stunning walls.
Klong Ong Ang Walking Street
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Address: PGV3+Q4M, Wang Burapha Phirom, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Operating Hours: 4–10 PM on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays
Another must-visit street art scene is Bangkok’s Klong Ong Ang Walking Street. The canal (Khlong) has become a shopping hub and a busy night market after being revitalized by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) as a walking street.
Awarded the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) Asian Townscape Award in 2020, Klong Ong is a flourishing graffiti artwork scene in Bangkok. Such impressive works have packed more energy into the waterway.
In plain sight of the 1.5 km street, witness another work of Alex Face featuring the three-eyed child in a rabbit costume. Explore the hidden alleyways though as you’ll be surprised by the urban work of graffiti artists shining through, especially at night.
Pro Tip:
Wear comfy walking shoes when visiting Klong Ong. There are over 100 street artworks dotted all over the walking street that stretches over a kilometer which means you will have a lot of walking to do to explore.
Nimmanhaemin Road
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Address: Tambon Su Thep, Amphoe Mueng, Chiang Mai
Operating Hours: 24 Hours (Monday – Sunday)
The city of Chiang Mai has also caught the latest street art bug. Graffiti in the Northern city of Thailand is prevalent in Thanon Nimmanhaemin Thanon Nimmanhaemin, otherwise known as Nimmanhaemin Road or Nimman Road.
A foremost shopping district for decades, the Nimman area poses the perfect avenue to showcase urban murals and graffiti. Be on the prowl for great art while strolling the Sirimangkalajarn Road and then through the alleys of east Nimman Road.
From there, walk to Huay Key Road and find more street art goldmines in the parking space near Hillside 4 Condotel on an 80-meter-long wall. A little deeper through the condotel’s parking, find more murals in Furama Hotel’s underground parking.
Pro Tip:
Riding a rented bicycle is another way to explore street art on Nimman Road. Or if you want it faster, you can also rent a motorbike.
Old City
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Address: Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Operating Hours: 24 Hours (Monday – Sunday)
If you want more street art in Chiang Mai, keep your eyes open in the Old City. The gods of art must have favored this history-filled area as it’s dotted with stunning graffiti and murals all over, from eastern to western sections of the city.
One particular target to seek is the Thapae Gate. Be wary as many street walls here are adorned with head-turning artworks, one thing to surely catch your eye in that parking space right next to the iconic Cool Muang Cafe.
Old City won’t disappoint and find some more in the vicinity of the “Zoe in Yellow” club. That’s just an eye-opener as you take your steps to Chang Moi Road where you’ll find all sorts of artwork spun on doors in the shopping district.
Pro Tip:
Don’t ignore the small streets (sois) when looking for street art. Especially, check the south of the moat located on the northern portion of the Old City.
Kad Suan Kaew Mall
Address: 21 Huay Kaew Rd, Tambon Su Thep, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Operating Hours: 24 Hours (Monday – Sunday)
The street art found near Kad Suan Kaew Mall in Chiang Mai may be hard to find but one that you shouldn’t miss for its sheer beauty. The 10-story shopping center may now be defunct immobilized by the clutches of the Covid pandemic from 2022.
Still, the mall’s outdoor parking is bound to leave you speechless with its exceptionally vivid street art. Just know that it’s at a back parking lot, take the Huay Kaew Road when heading for it.
Then you should take a left when you arrive at the Shell gas station. There’s an alley parallel to the Huay Kaew Residences, an apartment, which should lead you to what many say are the best murals in the parking area at the back of Kad Suan Kaew Mall.
Pro Tip:
Kad Suan Kaew Mall is between the Old City and Nimman Road. So you can schedule the three areas to survey street art in one day.
Central Festival Chiang Mai
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Address: Wat Ket, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50000, Thailand
Operating Hours: 11 AM – 9 PM (Monday – Sunday)
Walking down the street and watching art unfold right before your very eyes can be such a wonderful experience. But imagine feeling all that while shopping and you could be talking about Central Festival in Chiang Mai.
Central Festival is a lifestyle mall that has over 250 brand-named stores and 10 moviehouses. What makes it even livelier is the presence of wonderfully made murals that have attracted the best Thai artists to show their talent.
The management has allotted a large area on the 5th floor so local graffiti masters can put their artwork on display. As trendy as this mall is, it’s the fave hangout for youngsters and the biggest names in Thai street art are showcased on its walls.
Pro Tip:
If you want to catch artists at work, try dropping by the mall in the afternoons or the evenings. The mall opens late in the morning and many budding artists prefer working when the sun is going down and the weather is cooler.
Old Town Phuket
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Address: Old Phuket Town,Mueang Phuket District Phuket 83000, Thailand
Operating Hours: 24 Hours (Monday – Sunday)
It’s easy to conclude Phuket’s Old Town is as colorful as you want it. But a slew of the best Thai and foreign street artists, Alex Face included, have other ideas and made those iconic buildings that have lasted the test of time even more eye-catching.
What better backdrop for street art than the Sino-Portuguese architecture of the Old Town? The body of work on display in the area, however, went through a more rigid process as it’s the product of the F.A.T. (Food Art Old Town) Project.
The placement of the artwork is carefully decided with each mural separated by ample walking distance. Look up to the street walls and discover how their plan to cement Phuket as the gastronomy center of Thailand is closer than ever.
Pro Tip:
Old Town Phuket is rather small so you can just choose to walk around. If you want the conditions to be less snarky, visit the place in the later afternoons when the weather is pleasant.
Chalong Bay
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Address: Chalong, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83100, Thailand
Operating Hours: 24 Hours (Monday – Sunday)
Built as a pier, Chalong Bay in southern Phuket isn’t as beautiful as the best beaches of Thailand’s biggest island. Thanks to street art, the place is given a facelift that made people stare at adorned walls, charmed by the beauty of it all.
The murals and graffiti here are so in demand that street art tours are not uncommon. It’s a timely makeover given that Chalong Bay is muddy and coarse, unlike the world-class white sandy beaches that Phuket is famous for.
Chalong Bay street art is a direct result of the F.A.T. (Food Art Old Town) Project. Seeing how the Old Town had a makeover using street art, the sleepy pier attracted artists local and international, so be ready to look up on walls once arriving.
Pro Tip:
A slew of businesses in Phuket offer street art walking tours which usually start in the morning and come bundled with lunch. Some offer painting workshops together with the tour.
