Toby Lu reflects on River City Bangkok’s evolution and how art experiences rooted in Thailand are scaling beyond space with a global voice.

For nearly 42 years, River City Bangkok has stood as one of Thailand’s most important art and cultural landmarks, first known for its deep-rooted antique legacy, and later for reshaping how art is experienced in the city. Today, the institution stands at another turning point as it prepares to step more confidently toward taking its experiences beyond its walls and onto the international stage.

In Koktail Konversations Ep. 6, we sit down with Toby Lu, Director of Commercial at River City Bangkok, about how the organisation is evolving its role within the global art ecosystem and growing beyond its identity as a destination, into a more experiential art player.

River City Bangkok has never been afraid to move ahead of its time. Progress has always been part of its DNA. Long before immersive and multimedia exhibitions became widely popular, it introduced Thai audiences to interactive formats through many exhibitions from years ago like Van Gogh and From Monet to Kandinsky, to its more recent collaboration with global intellectual properties such as Snoopy. These early creative risks helped shape the foundation of what River City Bangkok is becoming today.

Rather than focusing only on importing international exhibitions, Toby describes a more layered ambition. One that supports Thai artists on international platforms, creates globally relevant art experiences rooted in Thailand, and builds meaningful collaborations with international and global grade brands. Growth, in this context, is measured not by scale alone, but by purpose and cultural impact.

Central to this vision is the belief that art is never static. Bringing international art into Thailand introduces new perspectives that challenge how audiences view their own culture. Sharing Thai art with the world aims to do the same in return, sparking curiosity, conversation and deeper understanding across borders. Art becomes a quiet but powerful connector between communities.

This philosophy is echoed in the visual concept of the shoot, which presents River City Bangkok as an “incubator.” The space does not simply frame the subject, but actively shapes it, much like the institution has shaped artists, ideas and cultural conversations over decades. History and future meet within the same frame.

Despite its forward momentum, River City Bangkok remains anchored to its antique roots. One of the strongest antique institutions in Thailand, River City Bangkok honours the passion of its founder, whose personal love for antiques laid the foundation of this institution. For Toby, this legacy is not something to move away from, but something to evolve with.

Antiques, in this sense, are part of an ongoing cultural conversation. They remind us that creativity is built over time, carrying traces of history into the present. Even in this digital age, antiques continue to inspire by grounding innovation in memory and context. Through RCB Auctions, River City Bangkok has expanded into vintage collectibles and positioned its auction house as a welcoming space for both collectors and first-time visitors, creating new and accessible ways for younger generations to engage with heritage.

This year marks a significant step beyond the building itself. With the launch of RCB Experience Atelier, River City Bangkok formalises what it has long practised by applying its curatorial expertise to art led experiences in new environments. Through collaborations with brands, institutions and partners across industries, the focus remains on co-creation, building experiences that are thoughtful, contextual and grounded in place and purpose.

As Toby explains, the essence of River City Bangkok has never been tied to architecture alone. It lives in the way stories are curated, contexts are respected and artists are supported. In doing so, that essence travels into every collaboration, ensuring that each project is guided by intention, sensitivity and long term value.

By positioning itself as a connector within the creative ecosystem, River City Bangkok responds to a growing gap between interest in art and the ability to engage with it meaningfully. In doing so, it contributes to a healthier and more sustainable creative landscape.

In this episode of Koktail Konversations, Toby Lu offers insight into an institution in transition. One that honours its past while actively shaping what comes next. River City Bangkok is no longer defined only by where it stands, but by how far its ideas are willing to travel.

The full Konversation with Toby Lu is now available on Koktail Magazine’s Instagram.