BANGKOK, THAILAND – The Creative Economy Agency or CEA, in collaboration with a wide network of public and private partners, ranging from government agencies, businesses, associations, academic institutions, designers, creatives, communities, and international allies, officially opened Bangkok Design Week 2026 (BKKDW2026) — Southeast Asia’s largest design festival. Now in its ninth edition, this year’s event is held under the theme “DESIGN S/O/S,” signaling that “design” serves as a solution to multidimensional challenges amid widespread crises spanning economic, environmental, social, and quality of life issues, while also elevating the city to new heights.
The festival welcomes diverse ideas from all disciplines to spark change, foster cross-generational business networks, and expand international collaboration. It is part of the broader effort to elevate the quality of life and urban development in Bangkok, designated a member of UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN – Bangkok City of Design. This year’s festival runs from 29 January – 8 February 2026, spanning four main districts: Charoenkrung – Talat Noi, Phra Nakhon, Pak Khlong Talat, and Bang Lamphu – Khao San, plus over 140 venues throughout Bangkok. The event is expected to attract no fewer than 400,000 visitors from Thailand and abroad, generating an economic impact of at least 1 billion baht during the 11-day festival.
Chaiyong Ratana-Angkura, Chairman of the Creative Economy Agency, revealed:
“This year, Bangkok Design Week has been elevated as a landmark that clearly reflects Bangkok’s creative and design capabilities. CEA’s mission is to drive the country’s creative economy by developing people, businesses, and cities to grow together. One policy tool we’ve consistently employed is the concept of ‘Festivalization’ — using festivals as a systematic mechanism to generate economic momentum by creating experimental spaces and connecting creative networks within the city. Bangkok Design Week is therefore not merely a design festival, but a platform that brings design into ‘real action’ within urban and economic contexts. This year, we expect over 400,000 participants and an economic impact exceeding 1 billion baht.”
“Under the DESIGN S/O/S theme, the festival goes beyond a call for help. It reflects the current global and urban landscape facing multifaceted challenges — economic volatility, geopolitical complexity, climate change, and rapid shifts in global trade. In this context, the central question becomes: How can design help cities, businesses, and people survive and move forward? The festival tackles this through three pillars: Secure Domestic — building strength from within; Outreach Opportunities — opening new possibilities and connecting to the global stage; and Sustainable Future — designing sustainable pathways for tomorrow.”
Sanon Wangsrangboon, Deputy Governor of Bangkok, remarked at the opening ceremony:
“Bangkok Design Week 2026 is more than an annual festival — it’s a platform connecting designers, creators, communities, businesses, educational institutions, and government agencies. It drives Bangkok forward as a UNESCO Creative City of Design, using design as a tool to develop the city, economy, and quality of life. This year’s theme, ‘DESIGN S/O/S,’ reflects design’s role in addressing urban challenges across quality of life, economy, and environment through tangible action in Bangkok’s various districts, each with its unique identity and potential. The festival also provides a testing ground for designers and creators to experiment with new concepts through diverse programs that can be adapted for real urban development. Bangkok sees this as a ‘city laboratory’ that opens new perspectives and translates into concrete policy initiatives.”
“A standout collaboration this year is Bangkok Book District Fest 2026, a collaboration among CEA, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, and Office of Knowledge Management and Development in Phra Nakhon. It invites book lovers to explore the roots of Bangkok’s book and printing industries along the historical route through Phan Fa – Wang Burapha – Fueang Nakhon – Nakhon Kasem, collectively designing a sustainable future for the district and Thailand’s book industry through three dimensions: Business, Creators, and Space. This reinforces how design, when linking people, creators, and the city, can generate new value across economic, cultural, and quality of life dimensions.”
The festival’s core content delivers “pathways to survival” through three key dimensions: Creative Talent — showcasing potential and advancing ideas from both emerging and experienced creators; Design Business — connecting design work with business opportunities and international collaborations; and The District — using design as a force to revitalize neighborhoods and drive local economies. All of this reflects the festival’s role as a platform systematically connecting people, businesses, and the city, featuring over 350 programs from collaborations with Thai and international designers from 16 countries. Activities range from exhibitions and installations, talks, workshops, events, music and performances, district tours, design markets supporting local businesses and emerging designers, to urban atmosphere-building activities and promotions from shops and restaurants across Bangkok’s creative districts.
These initiatives provide opportunities for everyone to learn, discover, and be inspired by design, while fostering learning, exchange, and business development. This reinforces the festival’s role in supporting Bangkok as a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) as a City of Design and confirms that ‘design’ is a vital tool for tangibly developing cities, economies, and people’s quality of life.
Join the search for inspiration and creative ideas that will help us “Design/To/Survive” across every dimension of city, economy, and people. The festival runs from 29 January – 8 February 2026, across four main districts: Charoenkrung – Talat Noi, Phra Nakhon, Pak Khlong Talat, and Bang Lamphu – Khao San, plus other venues throughout Bangkok. Don’t miss it!
More Information
Website: www.bangkokdesignweek.com
Facebook/Instagram: bangkokdesignweek
X: @BKKDesignWeek
Line: @bangkokdesignweek
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