Discover a new destination for art appreciation hidden in Thailand’s Khao Yai area, where spectacular large-scale installations blend harmoniously with nature.
Just a scenic three-hour drive from Bangkok, Khao Yai Art Forest is an inspiring sanctuary where creativity meets the landscape across 850,000 sq.m. of countryside (Thu-Fri: 12:30-18:00, Sat-Sun: 10:00-18:00 | khaoyaiart.com).
Unlike conventional galleries, the experience here unfolds along winding forest paths, where breathtaking artworks emerge organically from the environment. With dining options and immersive elements to round out the journey, here are seven must-see installations not to be missed:
1. Madrid Circle, Richard Long
“My intention was to make a new art which was also a new way of walking: walking as art,” Richard Long once said.
This striking circular installation of slate slabs, placed on a plateau, delivers a powerful interpretation of infinity. Viewed from above, it forms a perfect ring, echoing the rolling hills and canopy of Khao Yai. The work subtly alludes to Buddhist philosophy, symbolizing life’s endless cycles of beginnings and endings.
2. Khao Yai Fog Forest, Fujiko Nakaya
Japanese artist Fujiko Nakaya, a pioneer of fog sculpture and a member of Experiments in Art and Technology, brings her signature work to Khao Yai.
A mist drifts above a grassy slope, forming an ever-changing, intangible sculpture that invites viewers to walk through it. It challenges our perceptions of what is seen, what fades, and what remains. Sustainability is key—this fog is created using an atmospheric water generator that pulls filtered water from air humidity.
3. Maman, Louise Bourgeois
One of the most talked-about pieces in the park, Maman is a towering spider sculpture symbolizing the artist’s mother, a tapestry restorer.
Set against the backdrop of Khao Yai’s wild beauty, the sculpture embodies a maternal force of healing and reparation. It reminds us of our fragile, complex relationship with nature—our true home.
