The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) is a vast five-story art gallery. It’s noteworthy that it holds the most complete collection of modern Thai sculpture, paintings, mixed media art, and installations in the country.

Notably, MOCA is a private museum and hosts more controversial and edgier artworks. Some of the themes we found depicted prostitution, religion, and corruption, which is more interesting and varied than works found in government museums in Bangkok.

Another thing that we like about MOCA is the good flow of the rooms, making it easy for us to get around even when there are so many floors to explore. Elevators and escalators conveniently lead to each floor, and bathrooms are available on every level.

We also like how the exhibits are sectioned. From the ground to the fourth floor, we found masterpieces from Thai artists, such as Chalood Mimsamer and Vasan Sittikhet, while the fifth floor features artworks by European, Vietnamese, and Chinese artists.

Moreover, we appreciate the bright and well-lit space at MOCA. The combination of its white walls, natural lighting, and well-placed artificial lights made for a better viewing experience that helped us better appreciate each artwork.

It is also notable that it does not get crowded inside the building MOCA is not centrally located. On the other hand, while its location is not close to BTS, MRT, and SRT stations, it only takes four minutes to walk from the 555 bus stop. 

Finally, we were glad to find a small cafe on the ground floor, even though it doesn’t serve any food. However, the great coffee and tea we had there were the perfect cap to our visit.

100 Tonson Foundation, formerly known as the 100 Tonson Gallery, is a prominent contemporary art gallery in Bangkok. Although it’s a small venue, with only a 50-square-meter gallery, it hosts interesting and varied exhibits that change every two months.

Moreover, it regularly features works from high-profile artists, including Prateep Suthathongthai and Rirkrit Tiravanija. It’s also a regular venue for several dance performance arts, which provides a good variation for tourists and regular museum-goers.

We found it impressive that the 100 Tonson Foundation helps Thai and regional artists reach international audiences through its participation in international art fairs. Notably, it’s the first Thai gallery to participate in ArtBasel in Switzerland.

Another great thing about 100 Tonson Foundation is that its building is an artwork in itself. Designed by Christian Liaigre, a renowned French designer, the establishment features a pristine and minimalist design.

On the other hand, we were not fond of the trail leading to the venue when coming from BTS Chidlom. Although it only took us ten minutes from the station, cars that pass through the small street are dangerously fast.

We advise other visitors to take caution when commuting to 100 Tonson Foundation. Bringing a car is also an option, although the parking space is limited and can only fit three to four vehicles.

Located in the bustling area in front of MBK and Siam Square, Bangkok Art and Culture Center is considered the foremost modern art center in the country. In its vast 3,000-square-meter gallery, a good variety of visual art exhibitions take place.

Moreover, events showcasing theater, film, music, culture, and design also take place in various performance spaces and screening rooms in this large facility.

A prominent feature of the BACC building is its corkscrew design, which reminded us of the Guggenheim Museum in New York. Good thing that photography is allowed here, and we were able to capture our time in this beautiful art gallery.

On the other hand, we were quite disappointed that this art gallery is not home to any permanent collection. However, it hosts various temporary art exhibitions on its nine floors and even offers the public glimpses of the best private collections in Bangkok.

We also like that BACC serves as a one-stop center that satisfies our art fix. Workshops and art activities are hosted here, with different and varied projects suitable for all ages.

Another thing that we appreciate at BACC is the design-centric stores on the ground floor. Restaurants, bookshops, cafes, craft shops, commercial art galleries, and an art library made for an engaging and leisurely visit where we didn’t notice the passing hours.

Next on our list is Bangkok 1899, located in the heart of the city. It is noteworthy that the beautiful colonial building was designed by Italian architect Mario Tamagno whose famous works include the Anantasamakhom Throne Hall and Neilson Hays Library, among others.

 It’s also interesting that this building was a former residence of the father of modern education in Thailand, Chaophraya Thammasakmontri. We appreciate that Bangkok 1899 paved the way for this beautiful landmark becoming open to the public.

Notably, this art gallery was established by Creative Migration, an international art organization based in Los Angeles and Bangkok. We like how this organization executed its vision of a community that collaborates through intersectional practices.

Through providing various multi-purpose open houses, people from the community are drawn to this place to experience art leisurely. Various events such as live music, workshops, and art residencies are held in Bangkok 1899.

The in-house gallery usually invites international artists to showcase their artworks in Bangkok and later collaborate with the local community or a Thai artist. In return, the Thai artist is allowed to visit the other artist’s home country to continue the exchange.

Finally, we like the central location of Bangkok 1899. Although there is hardly any parking space in the venue, it is easily accessible via taxi from the MRT Samyod station.