The Tourism Authority of Thailand invites people to experience the route " Art Island of Siam " connecting the Grand Palace to Ko Koet Artisan Center, honoring the benevolence of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, on the occasion of her birthday, 12 August 2026.
On 12 August 2026, Mr. Surasak Phanjaroenworakul, Minister of Tourism and Sports, and Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibul, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, officially launched the "Art Island of Siam" project. It is a collaboration between the Ministry of Tourism and Sports through the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Silpakorn Promotion Foundation under Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother.
Mr. Surasak said that over time, Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, has undertaken numerous royal duties to preserve, restore, and promote Thai handicrafts and wisdom, especially artisan crafts. This has played a crucial role in maintaining the nation's cultural heritage while creating jobs and income for local people, improving quality of life, and passing on Thai craftsmanship knowledge from generation to generation, forming a vital foundation for sustaining Thai cultural heritage.
To honor and express gratitude for Her Majesty’s benevolence, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports through TAT, together with the Silpakorn Promotion Foundation, has organized a travel route linking the Grand Palace to Ko Koet Artisan Center in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province under the concept of Art Island of Siam.
Participants will visit the Khon learning building to understand the value of Khon, a high-level Thai performing art that blends various disciplines and arts. Then, they will travel by tram to the Art of the Kingdom Museum to view valuable fine art pieces and browse and purchase products and souvenirs on site.
This route offers a cultural tourism experience linking performing arts, fine arts, and Thai wisdom, conveying the charm of Thailand through artworks and knowledge passed down over a long time.
It also provides an opportunity for young people, families, tourists, and cultural enthusiasts to learn about and appreciate Thai cultural heritage closely. TAT offers free shuttle bus service between the Grand Palace and Ko Koet Artisan Center from 12 August to 26 December 2026, operating Wednesday to Sunday. The outbound trip departs from the road in front of Phra Lan, opposite the Wiman Thewet Gate near Silpakorn University in Bangkok at 11:00 a.m., arriving at Ko Koet Artisan Center at approximately 12:30 p.m.
The return trip leaves Ko Koet Artisan Center at 3:30 p.m., arriving at Krungthep Aphiwat Central Terminal, Building 4, around 4:30–5:00 p.m. Interested participants can register in advance via the project's designated website. Each trip accommodates up to 50 seats. For more details and registration, visithttps://artofthekingdomfreebus.com/
Mr. Surasak said this route launch is just the beginning of long-term development for Ko Koet. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports, together with TAT, the Silpakorn Promotion Foundation, and the project team, are planning to upgrade this valuable but little-known area into an important cultural landmark of Thailand.
"Today, we are not only bringing tourists to visit a museum but opening a door for Thais and people worldwide to see that behind the exquisite artworks of the land lies the royal intention, wisdom, and lives of Thai artisans who must be preserved and continued."
Furthermore, this project will not be a one-time event. We will work together to make Ko Koet a living space with activities and new reasons for people to visit repeatedly. Our goal is to make this place a cultural landmark that Thai people can be proud of and a key destination that tourists worldwide must experience in person.