Bangkok, a bustling metropolis known for its vibrant culture and innovative spirit, is hosting the much-anticipated Bangkok Design Week 2024. Among the districts joining the creative revolution is South Sukhumvit (On Nut-Bang Na), a dynamic area seeking to establish itself as an innovation district. 

Spearheaded by the South Sukhumvit Network, this initiative aims to showcase the unique blend of modern living and local charm that defines the area. Throughout Bangkok Design Week from Jan. 27 to Feb. 4, 2024, South Sukhumvit is showcasing creators, entrepreneurs, and locals who are participating in a series of events under the theme "Discover South Sukhumvit... The Balance of Innovation and Local Charm."

For the first time, South Sukhumvit is actively participating in Bangkok Design Week, inviting everyone to explore the common points and harmonious elements that define the area. The event celebrates South Sukhumvit's unique way of life, combining innovation with the distinctive charm of local communities. The event features 25 programs across four main activity categories: exhibitions, markets, seminars, workshops, and tours.

Exhibit: South Sukhumvit

A diverse range of exhibitions on show address existing issues and propose practical ideas to improve the quality of life in South Sukhumvit. Collaborations between private entities, entrepreneurs, and designers have resulted in creative solutions that prioritize the community.

Notable exhibitions include Playscape 95 by Sukhumvit 95 Design Collective, a project that involves the rejuvenation of an old tree house by INDA (Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Architecture), transforming it into a multipurpose space for various activities.

Where we were by 85mm. Studio&House is an exhibition showcasing the old ways of life in South Sukhumvit through old photos and vintage furniture pieces. Addressing the issue of waste management, Waste Sorting Redefined by Hypothesis educates visitors about waste sorting and encourages behavioral changes for sustainability.

There are also exhibitions that encourage people to come out of their creative shells. Creator Station by Cloud 11 invites visitors to unlock their creative potential and showcase their imaginative power, particularly via videos for TikTok and Instagram Reels. PAINT YOUR PARK by AI-DEATE is an AI-driven interactive activity, inviting participants to propose ideas to improve South Sukhumvit's public spaces.

We’d be remiss if we neglected to mention Perfect Doughnut in the Right Moment by DROP BY DOUGH, an installation art exhibition blending donut craft and handmade paper craft. Do-nut miss out on the 100 event-exclusive doughnuts served each day of the week.

Visitors certainly won’t miss the red pickup trucks at Rod Daeng Park by SAMA Garden. Ordinarily a ubiquitous people-mover along the narrow streets of South Sukhumvit, the trucks have been repurposed as mobile pop-up “parks” with distinct themes at six locations in South Sukhumvit.

Enriching knowledge and creativity

National and international seminars, featuring experts from various industries, offer insights and creative ideas for solving city and community problems. Academic and nature-based workshops are designed to enrich participants' knowledge, boost creativity, and inspire new ideas in a fun way.

Politics of Food by Books & Belongings is a seminar stimulating thoughts and interactions between locals in South Sukhumvit and other people, addressing the sustainability of food. Chia Tai Healthy Urban Farm by Chia Tai comprises activities that allow city dwellers to get closer to agriculture and inspire them to add kitchen backyards to their homes.

Creative Lab by MQDC and True Digital Park are set to educate in the Punnawithi area. They’ve got Experience Scape, a seminar showcasing how service design can harness global trends in AI and business innovation, and Liveable Scape, a workshop introducing "Design Thinking" and "Service Design," providing opportunities for hands-on learning.

Creative market and promotion

These activities aim to expand business networks and generate income for both new and old businesses in South Sukhumvit.

SUNA Market by BHIRAJ BURI GROUP features stalls by well-established restaurants and shops in South Sukhumvit, offering great dishes and a variety of products. Vaslab Architecture is also hosting Vaslab Convergence of Market, a design market presenting products by South Sukhumvit’s designers and people at Vaslab Company Limited.

Gigs and tours

Exclusive music shows and tours are set to fill the air with creativity, vibrancy, and colors, attracting more people to South Sukhumvit.

PKN Music Awards Season 2 by Phra Khanong District Office is a music contest providing a stage for aspiring musicians to showcase their talent. Then there’s SOUL & SPACE (SPACE SEEKING) through Modern Architectural Tour by Creative Lab x True Digital Park, an exclusive tour that invites participants to search for the soul of South Sukhumvit, exploring hidden places that reflect the area's stories and development over time.

Stretching along Sukhumvit Road from the BTS On Nut Station to the BTS Bang Na Station, South Sukhumvit has undergone significant transformations in the past 30 years. With a population exceeding two million, this densely populated zone is evolving into one of Bangkok's new Central Business Districts. The National Innovation Agency's development plan has identified South Sukhumvit as a potential innovation district. The area is characterized by a harmonious coexistence of entrepreneurs and residents, making it a unique and thriving community.

Bangkok Design Week 2024 marks a significant milestone for South Sukhumvit as it embraces innovation and creativity. The diverse range of exhibitions, seminars, workshops, markets, and tours curated by the South Sukhumvit Network showcases the area's commitment to becoming an innovation district.