On July 14, 2026, Mr. Taiwhut Khankaew, Deputy Permanent Secretary for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), officially announced a mural painting competition under the theme “The River of Life Under His Majesty’s Benevolence: Continuing the Rattanakosin Tradition”. Organized as part of a royal initiative following His Majesty the King’s royal policy, this creative contest aims to improve the quality of life for canal-side residents and homeless populations while celebrating His Majesty’s 74th birthday on July 28, 2026. The artistic campaign is integrated into a broader municipal cultural festival scheduled from July 24–31, 2026, encompassing prominent historical landmarks such as Pom Mahakan Public Park, the Khlong Ong Ang Walking Street, and Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem.

The competition invites students and the general public to submit artwork that dynamically reflects traditional canal-side ways of life from past to present or captures Bangkok’s historical identity as the “Venice of the East”. Open to both individual participants and teams of up to three members, applicants must submit their sketches and design descriptions from today until July 20, 2026, with the official announcement of selected finalists on July 23, 2026. Those who pass the rigorous screening phase will gain the opportunity to paint 75 live murals directly onto the public walls flanking Khlong Ong Ang and Khlong Maha Nak. These installations will span across Phra Nakhon, Samphanthawong, and Pom Prap Sattru Phai districts, with execution taking place between July 25–31, 2026. Interested participants can access the registration forms and official guidelines via a designated QR code or the online application link (https://forms.gle/syYguHBNWzLPWLbdA), with further inquiries handled through the BMA’s Culture and Tourism Department Facebook page or via telephone at 0 2246 8547-9 ext. 2590 and 09 0969 9826.

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