Bangkok, Thailand, February 5, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / The Thailand Digital Arts Festival 2022 is Thailand's and Asia's first and largest exhibition of digital art, featuring over 1,300 works by 130 renowned Thai artists. The event is a collaboration between Siam Piwat Co., Ltd., ICONSIAM Co., Ltd., the Baandam Museum of the late National Artist Thawan Duchanee, and KASIKORN X, the developer of the Coral platform – a marketplace for non-fungible tokens (NFTs) that offers innovative business models and unlimited opportunities for artists and collectors. The media partner is Plan B Media Public Company Limited, which will showcase the digital art on Plan B's digital screens nationwide and in Bangkok.

TDAF 2022 will be the world premiere of artworks by Thai national artists, celebrated artists, emerging talents, as well as celebrities and influencers, presented in both physical and virtual art media.

This marks a new historical chapter in Thailand's art history: the exhibition presents the largest number of participating artists and the greatest diversity of art forms. It will take place from March 5 to 20, 2022, in the Charoen Nakhon Hall on the ground floor (M-level) and in the ICON Art and Culture Space on the 8th floor of ICONSIAM, a global landmark on the Chao Phara River. ICONSIAM is a symbol of prosperity, born from the outstanding collaboration of Thai and international experts from various disciplines. Culture, innovation, and technology combine to create a world-class architectural masterpiece that reflects the concepts of shared value creation and the creation of common values.

The press conference was attended by Deputy Minister of Culture Poramet Ngampichet, CEO of ICONSIAM, Mr. Supoj Chaiwatsirikul, Director of the Baan Dam Museum of the late National Artist Thawan Duchanee, Dr. Doytibet Duchanee, Head of Venture Builder KASIKORN, Ms. Phakwan Wongphontawee, Chief Business Development Officer and Chief Marketing & Partnership Officer of Plan B Media Public Company Limited.

At the press conference on Wednesday, February 2, 2022, in the Suralai Hall on the 7th floor of ICONSIAM, works by national artists and renowned artists such as Prof. Emeritus Preecha Thaothong, Panya Vijinthanasarn, Prof. Thavorn Ko-Udomvit, Thongchai Srisukprasert, and Jitsing Somboon, as well as by established and emerging artists such as Wasan Puengprasert, Prapakas Angsusingha, Lamphu Kansanoh, Chalermpol Janrayab, and Traipuck Suphawattana, were presented. The artists also shared their perspectives on digital art on stage.

Mr. Poramet Ngampichet, Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Culture, stated: “The Thailand Digital Arts Festival 2022 (TDAF2022) offers an excellent opportunity to unite art and technology and transform physical artworks into digital assets. This platform will open up unprecedented opportunities for artists and creative professionals in our fast-paced digital world.”

On behalf of the Ministry of Culture, I would like to express my gratitude to everyone involved who has worked together to create these new opportunities and insights for the Thai art scene in the digital space. This step utilizes and expands our cultural heritage created by Thai artists and presents it to the world, thereby strengthening Thai artists on an international level.

Mr. Panthep Nilasinthop, Chief Customer Officer of Siam Piwat Co. Ltd., highlighted the significant collaboration between Siam Piwat and KASIKORN X through the Coral platform. This collaboration creates a new digital art experience and promotes Thai art internationally. “As a ‘Visionary Icon,’ our goal at Siam Piwat is to consistently offer all visitors novel and unique experiences. We see art as a source of inspiration that ignites creativity. Siam Piwat values ​​collaborations with artists from various disciplines and supports Thai artists and their creative work in a variety of ways. We have already collaborated with Thai and international artists to create inspiring works and provide opportunities for the younger generation. Furthermore, we offer space in all Siam Piwat properties for the design and presentation of creative works that foster shared value.”

As the art world becomes increasingly digital, the collaboration between Siam Piwat and KASIKORN X reflects a shared vision: to support Thai artists on their journey into a new era and to reach an international audience. This is an important step through which we have jointly created a new experience by seamlessly connecting the parallel worlds – the offline and online platforms of creativity.

“We are convinced that this collaboration will significantly advance Thailand’s art scene in the future and open up unlimited opportunities for artists to pursue their creative projects,” added Mr. Panthep. Mr. Supoj Chaiwatsirikul, Managing Director of ICONSIAM Co., Ltd., outlined the goals of TDAF2022: “ICONSIAM embodies the essence of Thai creativity and innovation. It is the result of outstanding collaboration among experts from over 15 countries, including Thai experts from various fields such as architecture, engineering, arts and crafts, community leaders from different provinces, and representatives from government, the private sector, civil society, and business. Our aim is to make Thailand the leading center for digital art in the region, promote Thai artists internationally, and raise awareness of digital art and NFTs. The Coral platform will be a user-friendly NFT marketplace for artists, art collectors, and art lovers.”

Above all, this event offers the Thai art scene another platform and new opportunities to showcase its potential and creativity internationally. This aligns with ICONSIAM's vision of demonstrating innovation and new experiences across borders, creating a phenomenon unprecedented in Thailand, reinterpreting our cultural heritage for the modern age, and introducing Thai identity to an international audience – true to the motto: "Winning the world over for Thailand."

Dr. Doytibet Duchanee, Director of the Baan Dam Museum of National Artists Dr. Thawan Duchanee, curator and creative director of TDAF, said: “TDAF 2022 will be a landmark event in the history of Thai art. It will elevate Thai art to an international level. Over 130 artists are participating, including national artists and acclaimed artists such as the late Dr. Thawan Duchanee, Ajahn Pratuang Emcharoen, Prof. Emeritus Prayad Pongdam, Prof. Emeritus Preecha Thaotong, Arjarn Tawee Ratchaneekorn, Arjarn Inson Wongsam, Arjarn Chuang Moolpinij, Prof. Vichoke Mukdamanee, Arjarn Kamol Tassananchalee, Arjarn Panya Vijinthanasarn, Arjarn Thongchai Rakpathum, and Arjarn Woranan Chachawalthipakorn. Acclaimed and emerging artists include Prof. Thavorn Ko-Udomvit, Thongchai Srisukprasert, Sakwut Wisesmanee, Jitsing Somboon, Chalit Nakpawan, Phornchai Jaima, Prasong Luemuang, Chatchawan Rodklongtan, Alongkorn Lowattana, Lamphu Kansanoh, Wanda Chaima, Aof Smith, Chalermpol Janrayab, Aphisit Muennak, Veerachai Duangpla, and Jeerawut Boonchuaynampon will be among the featured artists. Celebrities and influencers such as Jirayu Tantrakul, Arikantha Mahapreukpong (Gypso), and Methi Noichinda will also be represented. In total, over 1,300 artworks will be presented, including paintings, sculptures, prints, photographs, digital art, animation, graphic design, street art, art toys, fashion, music, and performance art—in short, almost every art form. Each work is distinguished by its diversity and uniqueness.

Dr. Doytibet described the preparations for this phenomenal event in the Thai art scene as a major challenge: connecting two parallel worlds and fostering artists to pave their way into the metaverse of the near future. Furthermore, it had never before been possible to bring together such a large number of renowned artists for a single event.

Dr. Doytibet added: “Art lovers exist all over the world, and making artworks accessible to them on a digital platform opens the door to a whole new world and puts Thai artists on the international stage. Our goal is to develop Thailand into Asia’s Digital Arts Hub. As technology now offers the opportunity to present artworks in a new and different format, artists must adapt to meet the challenges of the future without abandoning their traditional creative processes. At the same time, they must embrace new technologies, as these open up a new dimension of merging physical and digital art.”

Mr. Paul Thanaarmates Arriyavat, Head of Venture Builder at KASIKORN X, explained that TDAF 2022 is an exclusive event showcasing masterpieces by world-renowned artists and masters in the form of NFTs on KX's Coral Super Simple NFT Marketplace. Coral (coralworld.co) focuses on promoting artist identity, global NFT standards, and omnichannel interactions.

“NFT collectors can be confident they are acquiring authentic NFTs from the original artists. Purchasing NFTs is possible with local currencies and common payment methods, just like in e-commerce. Cryptocurrencies are not required. Coral NFT is based on the Ethereum ERC-1155, a global standard for NFTs. Coral NFT walls bridge the gap between artists and fans – both online and offline. The Coral platform opens up limitless possibilities for all participants.”

As another key partner and major player in the presentation of digital art, Ms. Phakwan Wongphontawee, Chief Business Development Officer and Chief Marketing and Partnership Officer of Plan B Media Public Company Limited, stated: “We are delighted that Plan B Media is part of TDAF 2022, the first and most important digital art fair in Thailand and Asia. Art can now be experienced through a new digital experience and in the form of NFTs. This event will raise the international profile of the Thai art scene. Plan B Media is the world’s largest network of open-air art galleries and showcases innovative and forward-looking media to reach audiences throughout their outdoor journey.”

Plan B Media, in partnership with NFT, will play a significant role in the breakthrough of Thailand's art scene, reaching millions of viewers nationwide from February 15th to March 20th, 2022, via over 850 Plan B digital screens. The event will be held in strict compliance with Covid-19 prevention measures to ensure the safety of all attendees. All visitors will be required to undergo temperature checks, and the venue will be disinfected each evening after closing, adhering to safety standards.

Experience the power of creativity and digital art at the Thailand Digital Arts Festival 2022, the first event of its kind in Thailand and Asia, from March 5th to 20th, 2022, 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, in the Charoen Nakhon Hall, M Floor, and in the ICON Art and Culture Space, 8th Floor, ICONSIAM, Charoen Nakhon Road.