On October 3, the Bangkok Art Biennale announced its first roster of participating artists, along with the theme, curators, and venues for its fifth edition, scheduled to take place from October 29, 2026 to February 28, 2027.

Titled “Angels and Mara,” the Biennale takes part of its name from the literal meaning of Bangkok—“City of Angels.” The chosen theme juxtaposes the concept of “divine messengers” from various cultures with the Buddhist demon Mara, who embodies death, desire, and darkness in human nature. According to the press release, the Biennale aims to provide a stage “for artists from Thailand and around the world to reflect on the struggles, contradictions, and resilience of our time.”