River City Bangkok celebrates its 40th anniversary with a grand event showcasing its legacy in art, culture and creativity. The festivities include exhibitions, performances and the launch of Gallery TR, emphasising its influence on Thailand’s contemporary art scene.

For four decades, River City Bangkok has stood as a hub of creativity and culture, shaping the artistic pulse of Thailand. Under the leadership of Yuthachai Charanachitta, Italthai’s CEO, and Linda Cheng, the Managing Director, this year, the riverside icon marks its 40th anniversary with a grand celebration on Tuesday, 3 December, at RCB Artery. Guests had the chance to take an artful journey through history, artistic brilliance and the future of contemporary art.

At the heart of the 40th-anniversary celebration, Ms. Linda Cheng, Managing Director of River City Bangkok, announced an exciting new chapter for the iconic art and cultural center. Linda shared a vision of transforming River City Bangkok into a sanctuary where art of all forms can thrive, evolve, and inspire boundlessly. As she stated:

“River City Bangkok is A Place Where Art Lives, Breathes, and Inspires.”

This achievement of River City Bangkok represents a clear and distinct stance of being more than just an art gallery; it is a space that creates mental ripples and sparks inspiration through its various forms of art.

Looking Back to The Roots of an Icon

The festivities begin with Ad Astra Per Aspera: Through Hardships to the Stars, an exhibition tracing the vision of the late Adisorn Charanachitta. An early supporter of the Thai art scene, Adisorn reimagined a riverside shopping complex into what we now know as River City Bangkok—a sanctuary for rare antiques and world-class art.

Through never-before-seen letters, personal artefacts and photographs from its 1983 beginnings, the exhibition reveals the grit and grandeur behind this institution. From Adisorn’s signature tobacco pipe to the scale model of River City’s original structure, every detail tells a story of ambition and artistic foresight.

Dawn of Creativity: Before Sunrise

Adding a lively touch to the celebrations, Before Sunrise unites works from seven distinguished galleries, including

• Tang Contemporary Art
• Pagoda the Art Club
• Trendy Gallery
• La Lanta Fine Art
• Number1gallery
• MeArt Gallery
• River City Bangkok

This group exhibition explores the theme of renewal, featuring nearly 100 pieces of paintings, sculptures and handcrafted wonders inspired by the gentle light of dawn—a universal symbol of hope and reinvention.

Displayed in RCB Galleria 2-3 on the second floor, Before Sunrise offers a visual feast that captures the heart and soul of Thailand’s art scene. It’s a celebration of diverse creativity, echoing the beauty of overcoming challenges and finding light in darkness.

Gallery TR: Forging New Horizons in Art

This landmark year also marks the grand debut of Gallery TR, born from River City Bangkok’s long-standing collaboration with Trendy Gallery. Known for celebrated exhibitions including Everybody/Cries/Sometimes by Crybaby Molly and I Need a Life Coach by Udom Taepanich, this new space is a launchpad for emerging talents.

Gallery TR will serve as a platform for artists to explore new ideas, challenge conventions and push Thai contemporary art onto the global stage. With its dedication to nurturing fresh voices, River City Bangkok solidifies its role in new artistic discovery.

More Than a Celebration: A Legacy in Motion

The anniversary celebrations don’t stop at exhibitions. Expect a dynamic lineup of performances, pop-up art projects and immersive experiences. The standout is Women with a Time Machine: A New Musical, an original production by the RCB Experimental Art Lab. Other highlights include captivating film screenings and curated art showcases, further emphasising River City Bangkok’s influence as a cultural hub.

Four decades on, River City Bangkok remains at the forefront of merging timeless traditions with contemporary creativity. Its 40th anniversary is not merely a celebration—it’s an invitation to be inspired by the stories that have defined its legacy.

Be part of the next chapter. Follow #40YearsOfRiverCityBangkok to stay connected.

This story is brought to you through the support of River City Bangkok.