If there’s an artist who’s not content with the world as we see it, it’s Gongkan. It’s no wonder he was a standout on our 2020 Future List, marked as one to watch for his surreal approach to dimensionality and social critique. The Bangkok-born visionary—famed for his otherworldly Teleport series—is now offering up something new at The StandardX, Bangkok Phra Arthit. Known for his knack for dimensional portals, he’s transformed the riverside hotel’s walls into a playground of alternative realms. But don’t mistake this for just another slick gimmick. Kantapon Metheeul, better known as Gongkan, is all about shifting perceptions, one ripple at a time.

On Water, Reflections and Other New Experiences

Take his newest installation, inspired, as he says, by the river itself—a rare flash of the everyday made extraordinary. “It was the river, really,” he tells me, and I can just see the glint in his eye. “There’s something exciting about how water flows and reflects, like it’s always showing you something new.” He’s drawn from this unpredictable quality, crafting a circular ‘dimensional door’ that seems to spring out of nowhere, inviting passers-by to peer into a world half-in, half-out of our own. It’s both a portal and a challenge to see beyond the surface, a quiet provocation in an industry that’s often more bark than bite.

“Take in the local atmosphere—the light, the colours, the sounds, the energy of the city,”

Kantapon “Gongkan” Metheekul

Then there’s his Teleport series, which has found a cult following worldwide. His latest addition here is a proper head-turner—a colossal oval that, with a bit of squinting, looks as if a figure is emerging from another dimension. It’s bold, yes, but it’s also strangely grounded. The piece captures the sky’s reflection, shifting with the day’s passing hours and whatever chaos Bangkok’s skyline decides to throw at it. “I wanted people here to feel that sense of stepping into the unknown,” he says. And if you stand there long enough, it might just feel like you are.

Teleporting Through Bangkok

Since returning to Bangkok, Gongkan’s work has taken on new layers—grounded in the stories of the city around him. “My work’s always been about life and the world around me, so being back in Thailand has definitely influenced it,” he reflects. “Over the past couple of years, I’ve felt my perspective shift, and that’s naturally changed the work.” There’s a distinct difference between the glossy vision of New York and the textured, earthy spirit of Bangkok, and it seeps into every brushstroke and concept. It’s an invitation to immerse yourself fully in Bangkok’s unfiltered beauty, where art and the city’s heartbeat are one and the same.

The StandardX, in a clever move, is launching an artist-in-residence programme, giving emerging Thai artists the chance to follow in Gongkan’s footsteps. And if there’s one thing he wants for them, it’s immersion. “Take in the local atmosphere—the light, the colours, the sounds, the energy of the city,” he advises. “Let it all sink in and see where it takes your work. That’s where the magic happens.” It’s a call to embrace the chaotic, immersive beauty of Bangkok, to find art that breathes with its surroundings rather than glossing over them.

In Gongkan’s work, there’s always a layer to peel back—a new corner to turn, a door left slightly ajar. Whether it’s the river, the sky, or Bangkok’s electric chaos, he’s somehow bottled that sense of discovery and tossed it out for us to find.

The StandardX: Not Just a Stay, but an Encounter

The StandardX, Bangkok Phra Arthit, doesn’t simply offer a bed for the night—it serves up an experience that’s part hotel, part artistic playground. Art here is alive, as seen in Gongkan’s installations. Even the dining is theatrical. BANG, the all-day Thai spot, reimagines local flavours with gutsy twists, while the rooftop Mexican-inspired bar gives you a sweeping view of the river.

Starting rates are a cool THB 3,799++, and there’s a tempting 15% discount with breakfast for two if you book before 10 December. For a stay that’s more than just a room, where art, culture and cuisine come together in Bangkok’s gritty heart, The StandardX is the place to be.