BANGKOK DESIGN WEEK 2026 DESIGN S/O/S
BANGKOK DESIGN WEEK 2026DESIGN S/O/SIn a world that’s moving faster and facing greater challenges, the question “What can design do?” remains. For us, it’s no longer just a conversation but a signal to act – a call to explore and create tangible solutions for the challenges ahead.This year, Bangkok Design Week 2026 is sending out the signal DESIGN S/O/S, not a call for help, but a declaration that design is the tool and the force that will help us move forward together.S – Secure Domestic : Design to Strive – Setting new standards, awakening waves that boost the domestic market.O – Outreach Opportunities : Design to Offer – Creating new opportunities, fostering collaborations, and confidently taking a step towards the global state.S – Sustainable Future : Design to Survive – Exploring bold and innovative paths to a sustainable future, ready to take on every challenge ahead.In the past, “Thai design” may not have received the recognition it deserved. Today, we invite everyone to see it through a new lens that is playful, adaptable, and contemporary. By reinterpreting Thai roots, from patterns and materials to craftsmanship and traditional techniques, in fresh and innovative ways, we create designs that remain unmistakably Thai. Not by imitating others, but by embracing our own identity — a direction that Bangkok Design Week continues to champion as it brings Thai design onto the global stage.Bangkok Design Week 2026 invites you to tap into your creative energy and start making things happen. Don’t wait for challenges to come, turn your ideas into something real.No matter who you are, a creator, a designer, an entrepreneur, a thinker, a dreamer, a critic, a connector or a doer, it’s time to take action and design our way forward, together across Bangkok.📍29 January – 8 February 2026Key Visual: DESIGN S/O/S designed by Sarawut Panhnu#BKKDW2026#BangkokDesignWeek#DesignSOS
A conversation with Sarawut Panhnu, designer of the Bangkok Design Week 2026 Key Visual
“Thainess” is a concept we all recognize instantly. Yet behind this familiar image lies one of the biggest challenges for designers, “What kind of Thai is it?” and “How can Thai design stand out?”When this idea became part of the theme DESIGN S/O/S for Bangkok Design Week 2026, we couldn’t help but wonder how the festival’s Key Visual designer, Sarawut Panhnu, would interpret it.So today, we sat down with Sarawut to talk about the creative process behind the Bangkok Design Week 2026 Key Visual, from his view of DESIGN S/O/S as a wake-up call to how he infused his signature Thai-pop style into what he calls his first truly serious approach to Key Visual design.Interviewer: Before we get to the Key Visual, let’s go back a bit. When did you first become interested in art and design?Sarawut: It started in early high school. I realized I loved drawing but didn’t know what to study next. When I moved back to my hometown in Lopburi, I found a vocational school with a fine arts program, so I joined. Later, I continued at Poh-Chang Academy of Arts, majoring in traditional Thai painting.Interviewer: Coming from a traditional Thai painting background, how would you describe your current style?Sarawut: I call it Thai Pop — bright, playful, and contemporary, but still rooted in Thai elements like patterns and composition. Some works are satirical or slightly surreal, depending on my mood. My personal pieces often tell small stories from daily life, like a visual diary.The shift happened about seven years ago when I moved back to Lopburi. I used to restore murals in Bangkok, but there wasn’t that kind of work back home. I reconnected with old friends doing street art, graffiti, and other creative work that reflected their own lives. I wanted to do that too — to let art mirror real life. So I began mixing what I loved, like cartoons, books, and old songs, with the traditional techniques I learned at Poh-Chang. It gave me both strong foundations and room to play.Interviewer: When did you first start working in design?Sarawut: I’d done some album covers before, like for Phum Viphurit and H 3 F, and also the opening scene for the series The Believers. Back then, my work was purely painting on canvas — no digital tools at all. I’d scan the finished piece and pass it to the team for further editing.Later, brands started reaching out, and I realized I had to adapt. Paintings weren’t always practical for brand use, which required digital or vector files. So I began learning digital tools, starting with an iPad and gradually moving to vector programs. Friends helped me with techniques, and over time I shifted from canvas to digital — while keeping the brushstroke feel of painting.Interviewer: So this is your first time creating a Key Visual?Sarawut: Not my first design project, but my first time doing it seriously and in full scale.Interviewer: How do you define a Key Visual?Sarawut: I see it as creating the overall mood and identity of a project. Since I’m not trained as a designer, my process is more intuitive — I start by sketching and composing in my own way. Then I collaborate with my graphic designer friends, Dashflash Worldwide and Blue Wave, who help refine the layout, graphics, and details. Through this, I learned a lot about how designers think and work.Interviewer: When you first received the theme DESIGN S/O/S, how did you interpret it?Sarawut: When I first saw the theme DESIGN S/O/S, I felt it was more like a wake-up call – a signal urging Thai designers to rise, think, and create in their own way. And the first person to receive that signal was me. So I wanted to awaken my creativity by building on what I already have: reimagining Thai identity into something new.Interviewer: In a world that’s moving fast and full of challenges, how do you see design as a tool to help us “survive”?Sarawut: I believe design has always been part of our lives — from ads and art to something as simple as a coffee cup. If we want to survive today, we must truly understand what design means.Now, with social media, nothing feels outdated anymore. Everyone understands taste and trends, often without realizing it. Inspiration is everywhere, right in our hands. The world already runs on design — and that’s why I believe design is our way to survive.Interviewer: What does “Thainess” mean to you?Sarawut: For me, Thainess is something close and familiar. It’s part of everyday life, not something distant or abstract. If it’s too far removed, it stops feeling real. Thainess is found in Thai patterns, one of Thailand’s most iconic motifs. It’s all around us, woven into the surroundings we’ve seen all our lives.Interviewer: And what’s the “flavor” of your Thainess?Sarawut: I’d say rainbow flavor (laughs). My work is never fixed. It changes with time and what’s happening around me. Like life — sometimes sweet, sometimes bitter, sometimes spicy. But this year, I’d say it’s rainbow flavor — bright, sweet, and fun.Interviewer: How did you connect DESIGN S/O/S with Thainess in your process?Sarawut: I looked at last year’s event first, since it already explored Thai identity quite a bit. So this year, I focused on my own perspective — reinterpreting Thai patterns, culture, and everyday life I’ve known for over a decade into something more contemporary, playful, and in tune with today’s world.Interviewer: From concept to creation, how did you turn the idea into the Key Visual?Sarawut: I started by researching the word “design” (laughs). Since I didn’t come from a design background, I wanted to understand it better. I realized design is a way of planning life, which made me see Bangkok as a city of design shaped by its people. I brought those stories into the Key Visual and added my own sense of Thainess.If you look closely, you’ll see traditional Thai patterns hidden in the image — not directly, but subtly within the composition. Just like in the past, when these motifs were part of everyday life, I reinterpreted them in a modern way. I began by sketching the concept and layout, then worked with two designers to refine it into a complete piece.Interviewer: Is there a character you like most in the Key Visual?Sarawut: Not really — they all represent real people in Thailand’s creative scene, not fictional ones, so I like them all (laughs). If anything, the Thai pattern itself is the true character of the work. But I’m also drawn to the running figure — it captures movement, energy, and how design lives in people’s everyday lives.Interviewer: Lastly, what would you like to say to those coming to Bangkok Design Week 2026? What can they expect?Sarawut: You’ll see fun works and a new flavor of Thainess you might not have seen before. Some will love it, some maybe not — and that’s okay. I think it should be a space where people can feel differently and freely. Next year, the festival’s flavor might change again, but what will always stay the same is the joy of creating and discovering something new every year.
DESIGN S/O/S - It’s time to take action and design our way forward for today and tomorrow.
In a world facing crises from climate change and economic instability to growing inequality, we can’t just wait. This year, we begin creating our own ways to survive and thrive. Because design is not only about beauty, but a force that helps us adapt and move forward with confidence.Do not wait for the crisis to arrive. Now is the time to activate your creative mode and unleash your “survival” ideas you’ve been waiting to “actualize”. Whether you’re a creator, designer, entrepreneur, thinker, dreamer, critic, connector, or doer, this is a call for you to join us. Let’s “take action” in design, and survive — together.No heroes needed. No waiting for someone else to save the day.It’s time to act for our world and our future.S – Secure Domestic Setting new standards, awakening waves that boost the domestic market.“Secure Domestic” is about building a strong foundation and raising the standards of Thai design, while energizing the local market. When Thai people value and choose Thai design, the creative economy becomes a powerful force driving the country forward.This idea goes beyond economics, it’s also about using design to improve our cities and society, helping us move confidently in a constantly changing world.O – Outreach Opportunities Creating new opportunities, fostering collaborations, and confidently taking a step towards the global state.If “Secure Domestic” is the strong foundation, “Outreach Opportunities” is the branch that reaches out to the world — creating new global possibilities. It means Thai designs that speak to people everywhere, collaborations with international brands and institutions, and spaces for sharing ideas and innovation across borders.Design has no boundaries. It’s a universal language that connects us and highlights Thailand’s potential as a true design hub of Asia.S – Sustainable Future Exploring bold and innovative paths to a sustainable future, ready to take on every challenge ahead.Good design doesn’t just respond to the present, it looks toward the future. “Sustainable Future” means using design as a driving force to create new ways for life, cities, and the planet to move forward, helping us face future challenges with confidence and stability.“Design” is not just for a few, it’s a power that moves people, cities, businesses, and the world.It’s time to turn creativity into action and make ideas happen, whether you’re a thinker, dreamer, designer, or doer.
Wonder of Fabric Outdoor furniture by 4 Thai designers, made to touch, sit, play, and even play table tennis
Get ready to sit, lie down, and relax on playful, well-made outdoor furniture—from sofas with space for board games to dining tables that turn into ping-pong tables after the meal.This is the return of Wonder of Fabric, a design exhibition by DOTS Design Studio in collaboration with textile specialist Homework Fabric and 70-year furniture manufacturer RES (Kunakij). Four Thai designers were invited to create four outdoor furniture pieces, exploring new potential for fabrics we are familiar with.“We wanted to explore new potential for Homework’s fabrics beyond furniture upholstery or curtains, looking for new techniques and possibilities for the material. This continues from last year, when we invited designers to collaborate at Bangkok Design Week.”Krit Phutpim, founder and designer of DOTS Design Studio, has long been involved with BKKDW. This year, his clear goal is to extend design into real business opportunities, presenting outdoor-ready fabrics developed by Homework to meet local needs during a time when imported fabrics were limited.“This year, we wanted to take a more business-focused approach. We partnered with an outdoor furniture factory, Kunakij Furniture Industry, which mainly works with aluminum and has recently rebranded as RES, focusing on outdoor living. Since our directions align, we decided to collaborate.”This direction also reflects the growing trend of outdoor activities.“We design based on data, from market trends to product development. After COVID-19, we clearly saw that people were looking for outdoor activities to escape staying indoors. When this trend happens, new products and services naturally follow.”The result is four outdoor furniture pieces by Thai designers, on display for hands-on use at the courtyard of House No. 1, Charoenkrung 30. Visitors are invited to sit, lie down, relax, and use the furniture freely.“We want people to interact with our work because we don’t design just to show. We design for real use. People can touch, sit, and use everything. Imagine House No. 1 turning into a pop-up café or resort where visitors can enjoy the space freely.”The collection includes a stylish outdoor sofa set with fabric board games like tic-tac-toe and chess, a dining table redesigned from Kunakij’s iconic chair that also works as a ping-pong table, and two other pieces that change roles, serving as a sun umbrella during the day and a light pole at night.“After this project, we have two hopes. First, that the two factories will work together to develop these products into real businesses, whether for sale or future exhibitions. Second, if the project works well, it could spin off into a new sub-brand created by both factories together.”Learn more about Wonder of Fabric:https://www.bangkokdesignweek.com/bkkdw2026/program/143976Bangkok Design Week 2026 DESIGN S/O/SFull Program : https://www.bangkokdesignweek.com/en/bkkdw2026/program📍29 January – 8 February 2026Charoenkrung – Talat Noi, Phra Nakhon, Pak Khlong Talat, Bang Lamphu – Khaosan, and others
Something to Stay_____On A fresh take on “Thainess” through 17 student works at
From a recreated Thai footpath on a skywalk and a giant checkers board for all ages to an oversized goby fish you can sit and play on, these are some of the works from the Academic Program under the concept “Something to Stay_____On.” The project is developed through a collaboration between EM DISTRICT, Bangkok Design Week 2026, and The Head and The Heart Studio.“Looking back at the first year of BKKDW, we joined quite last minute—it was really intense. But this year, after many people started talking about it, we opened an Open Call and received a large number of submissions. That already feels like a success right from the start this year,” said Suthavadee Sirithanachai, Suthavadee Sirithanachai, Managing Director of EM DISTRICT.The main goal remains the same: to support young creatives and give 17 student teams from 10 institutions a chance to prepare for their future as artists.“We know BKKDW has an Academic Program every year, but it is often shown in more closed spaces. We believe art should be open for people to see and interpret in their own ways.“Art should encourage people to think and apply ideas to their own lives. That’s why we wanted to see how the younger generation responds to this brief.”This year’s brief combines Something to Stay_____On with ideas of Thainess and sustainable materials, aligning with the festival theme DESIGN S/O/S. This led to works such as a giant roly-poly doll inspired by traditional Thai ice cream and an oversized mother hen sculpture that can actually lay eggs.The projects will be displayed across —from EM Station on the skywalk near Phrom Phong BTS to EM Tower, Level M at Emsphere, where large numbers of visitors pass through every day.“This reminds us not to overlook children and youth. Art doesn’t come only from adults. If we don’t plant the seed of art early, when these kids grow up and enter work or business life, will they think about integrating art into what they do? In the end, everything is about planning ahead, and nurturing creativity from a young age is extremely important.””Once selected, the students go through training and development with professional artists and designers from different fields, including Simon Pillard, Creative Director behind all visual art for EM District and The Mall Group; Teeranop Wangsilpakun, concept and graphic design expert and founder of TNOP DESIGN; and Rong–Jitsing Somboon, designer and fashion designer. “In this project, we also create a kind of role play for the students. They must work as a team, under time limits and budget constraints, and collaborate with all three mentors. Sometimes they suggest materials, and we discuss whether another option might be cheaper or better. We always tell them this is a simulation of real life after graduation. Life is not perfect—you have resources, limitations, and you must learn to adapt.”Learn more about Something to Stay_____On here:https://www.bangkokdesignweek.com/bkkdw2026/program/152876
Central Park: Design for Bangkok Discover the design story behind preserving and
If you’re looking for an experience where you can watch, listen, stroll, and enjoy at your own pace—while gaining inspiration and insight—Central Park: Design for Bangkok is not to be missed. The program invites everyone to explore how design weaves together Bangkok’s rhythms, from the heritage of Dusit Thani hotel to the making of a new city landmark, through exhibitions, talks, and creative activities that make learning engaging and easy to understand.The inspiration behind Central Park: Design for Bangkok comes from recognizing the many rhythms of Bangkok and the possibility of weaving them together—from the energy of Silom and the calm of Lumphini Park to the cultural heritage and memories of the Dusit Thani hotel. This vision is driven by Kunayudh Dej-Udom, Asset Director at Central Park, who believes that this new landmark should be more than a real estate project. Instead, it is envisioned as a space that reflects the values of the city, connecting past, present, and future through a design process that prioritizes quality of life, people, and the surrounding context.This led to Central Park: Design for Bangkok, which consists of three main components:Design Talk: Designing the Future of Bangkok (Saturday, January 31), sharing the full background of the project – from executive vision to real design perspectives from architects, designers, and artists.Exhibition: Exploring the City Through Design, presenting ideas, design processes, and intentions behind creating a park for Bangkok, divided into three zones: Build Your Central Park, Central Park Passport, and Breathe the Park, which explores selected plants that act as a small air purifier for the city.The Landmark: Heritage in Motion, a 7-meter-tall sculpture by Thai artist Infinite Riot, bringing together the design DNA of Central Park, with parts created through live painting.From a communication perspective, Piriya Kulganchanacheewin, Co-Founder & Story Curator at Glow Story and the person behind the storytelling of Central Park: Design for Bangkok, sees this project as more than an explanation of how it was made or how “good” it is. What matters more, he says, is expanding the meaning of the space beyond that.“We want to show that this place, in the future, will become a canvas for other artists to continue creating. It’s a statement that this space is truly open to further creative extension.”“From my point of view, what’s interesting is how this project changes the meaning of this place. People in Bangkok today can feel tired of malls, but after being involved with this project for about two or three months, we realized that it’s not about building another mall. It’s about preserving, reinterpreting, and extending a place. For me, this feels like a living museum—where you can truly live: eat, drink, talk, run, or lie down in the park.”With the timing of Bangkok Design Week, which takes place shortly after Dusit Central Park has opened, Piriya sees this as an important opportunity to invite people to truly listen to the design process behind the project.“Projects like this don’t happen often in Thailand. If the knowledge stays only with the people who made it, that would be a waste. Bangkok Design Week is a very good moment—the project has just opened, there aren’t many people yet, and it’s the right time to ‘listen to the background.’ When knowledge spreads, and we see more projects that think seriously about the city and its people, I believe Bangkok can truly become a better-designed city.”Learn more about Central Park: Design for Bangkok:https://www.bangkokdesignweek.com/bkkdw2026/program/153824
LongiPark LongiPark: 4 Green Space Experiments for Urban Longevity
What if the city had places where we could sit, walk, and talk without rushing—and green spaces were not just parks, but places that care for the body, mind, and long-term quality of life? This is the idea that Shma invites everyone to experience through four new green-space models at Bangkok Design Week 2026—experimental spaces that explore how much more livable a city can be when it is designed from real urban life.The project began with UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network, which recognized and supported Bangkok as a City of Design (UCCN). Following this, Creative Economy Agency (CEA) opened a call for proposals focused on designing green spaces to improve quality of life and urban ecosystems—an approach that aligns closely with the long-standing mission of Shma.“Today, people talk a lot about longevity. With environmental challenges and concerns about living longer, healthier lives with good quality of life, this has become an important issue of our time. We chose to combine the idea of longevity with the need for a third place in the city, and developed LongiPark—a park that supports longevity.”Yossapon Boonsom, Founding Director at Shma Company Limited, explains the original idea behind LongiPark, which later evolved into four sub-concepts developed through working with different urban areas.“The areas we focus on are Phra Nakhon and Charoenkrung. These zones already have very limited green space, but they also carry strong cultural and artistic dimensions. Beyond responding to community and urban needs, the spaces must last over time, be truly used, be cared for, and create real impact.“We started with a participatory process with local people to understand what the community actually needs. For example, Lan Khon Mueang is extremely hot and mostly concrete, so we had to rethink the surface and the microclimate.”The result is four green spaces that differ in size, concept, and the urban issues they aim to test:Long Rest & Heal, a pocket forest at Lan Khon Mueang;Long Play & Learn, a park for play and learning on Unakan Road;Long Chat, a conversation space designed to encourage interaction around House No. 1;and Long Share, a compact green space of just five square meters in the Chotik community.“We plan to use BKKDW as a platform to invite people to try these spaces and share feedback—whether the design factors we chose, such as creating a microclimate or slowing down the atmosphere of Lan Khon Mueang, actually work for them, and whether their experience changes. Each site tests different questions. We also add activities to gather feedback from visitors, and then develop these into prototypes for other areas of the city.“One challenge we learned from is that a third place is not only about physical space. It requires both hardware and software to develop together. A few days during BKKDW is not enough to confirm success. It takes time. People need to return, activities need to repeat, and familiarity needs to grow. This is something we need to learn together.”After BKKDW, two of the four LongiPark projects will remain for long-term public use: Long Chat at House No. 1 and Long Play & Learn on Unakan Road, both open for ongoing visits.“This helps remove the old image of public space. A ‘park’ can speak about many things—ecosystems, health, children, almost anything. It helps people see that public space can be more than just a place to exercise or picnic. It can be a farm, a forest, or something else entirely, if we find the right design process.”Learn more about Shma’s works at Bangkok Design Week 2026 : https://www.bangkokdesignweek.com/bkkdw2026/program
Thailand Creative House รวม 50 โชว์เคส เปิดพื้นที่เจรจาธุรกิจ เตรียมปิดดีลให้ดีไซเนอร์ไทยได้ส่งออกต่างประเทศ
If you’ve explored the design programs across Bangkok Design Week 2026 and want to see how creativity connects to real business, don’t miss Thailand Creative House. The platform brings together 50 showcases by Thai designers, where visitors can shop selected products and take part in business negotiation sessions with international buyers.“In past Bangkok Design Week editions, we’ve always seen business-related activities, such as Creative Market, which last year was held at TCDC on the 5th floor. But this year marks the first time that international buyers are joining in a serious and structured way.”Pakawat Wongthai, Senior Creative Industry Strategy Developer at the Creative Economy Agency (CEA), explains the evolution and goals of Thailand Creative House this year.“Previously, we focused mainly on showcasing. Some entrepreneurs or designers work with products that are smaller in scale compared to large installations, which made them less visible. Thailand Creative House brings these products together in one place, increasing visibility and attracting buyers from both overseas and within Thailand to negotiate directly. This year, we’re putting a stronger emphasis on business matching.”Within Thailand Creative House, the program unfolds across three connected parts. There is the showcase area, where products and services from 50 brands are displayed and available for purchase. Alongside this are business-matching sessions that enable direct negotiations with buyers from both Thailand and abroad. The program also includes Festival Tour for Business activities, which take buyers on curated visits to exhibitions and studios across the city.“For business matching, we start by sending a Business Directory to buyers in advance so they can choose who they want to meet. At the same time, our team helps with matchmaking to ensure that every participating entrepreneur benefits. We support buyers with travel and accommodation, and we organize dedicated business meetings over two full days (February 5–6), with full-day sessions.”For general visitors, following the BKKDW channels is recommended, as the Business Directory will also be released publicly. This allows anyone interested to plan their shopping or explore B2C opportunities directly with the brands and designers featured in the showcases.“The Festival Tour for Business exists because we also want to distribute opportunities to other exhibitors. After business meetings and showcase visits, we take buyers out to other areas of the festival. We design specific routes so they can visit businesses or creatives they find interesting, and if they’re interested, they can directly continue discussions with those exhibitors.”Ultimately, design, art, and business are deeply connected. There must be opportunities to extend installations, sculptures, and design works into markets where real demand exists.“For the ecosystem to function, it needs momentum from the business sector. There has to be income and employment. That’s why CEA has continued developing these activities. This year, we’ve expanded and decentralized them further. In the future, we see Thailand Creative House growing into a large-scale fair, similar to London Design Fair within the London Design Festival. Once it becomes a fair, it will clearly represent the business side for those who want to scale their work into real commercial opportunities.”More information about Thailand Creative House:https://www.bangkokdesignweek.com/bkkdw2026/program/150559