River City Bangkok—the cultural hotspot where you can contemplate a masterful portrait one minute and then ponder whether that quirky souvenir is truly worth its weight in baht the next. This October, the riverside gem is serving up a delightful mix of exhibitions, events and high-end memorabilia shopping that is as tempting as it is expensive. The artistic lineup kicks off with the Italthai Portrait Prize, an exhibition of over 70 paintings which vied for the top purse of 500,000 THB and other prizes in Thailand’s first and only national portrait competition, now in its fourth year. Bangkok’s elite art lovers (and the Governor, no less) turned up to applaud the country’s creative talent—and inevitably, to be seen. As Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt presented the prizes with the kind of gravitas only he can pull off, artists, sitters and art lovers crowded around for selfies with him.

This year’s Italthai Portrait Prize saw artist Nuttawut Kaiwansin walk away with the top prize for his piece, My Girl My Gang—an artwork that blends artistic integrity with a dash of the Instagram-worthy. Not to be outdone, Veeravoot Phumdong nabbed the Packing Room Prize for My Wife, a modest 200,000 THB cash reward for his efforts, while the youth category saw Rattasil Somoppahad snagging 100,000 THB with Waiting for This Moment for So Long. Whether you’re a serious collector or simply someone who enjoys an air-conditioned gallery with a good Instagram backdrop, River City has you covered until November 3. There’s also the People’s Choice Prize, where you can be a part of the voting for the favourite finalist, with the prize to be awarded at the end of the exhibition. Think of it as the art world’s version of reality TV—sans the drama, but with all the price tags.

For those not yet swayed by the heady mix of prestige and portraiture, River City continues to shine with its contemporary Thai art exhibitions. The entire second floor has been transformed into a shrine for rising Thai talent, with a few foreign artists tossed in for good measure. It’s a great platform for young artists who hope their works will one day hang next to the big names—or at least in a posh hotel lobby somewhere. And if contemporary art feels too trendy, River City still retains its old-world charm on the third and fourth floors, where antiques and monthly auctions keep things classy (and occasionally affordable).

Like any well-rounded cultural centre, River City knows that no visit is complete without a little shopping. The Gallery Shop offers a range of souvenirs and art-inspired products, including items from international museums. Whether you're after a quirky mug or a more high-end piece of memorabilia, this shop has something for everyone—though it might leave you second-guessing your spending choices once you see the price tags.

Then there’s Art Focus, the 2024 addition to River City’s ever-growing portfolio of commerce-driven creativity. It’s a café, it’s an exhibition space, it’s a store—and it’s the kind of place where you can sip your latte while browsing art toys imported from around the globe. Yes, you read that right: art toys. Because nothing says “refined” quite like a collectible figurine.

If you prefer your culture with a bit less shopping and a bit more substance, River City has a soft spot for up-and-coming artists too. The AIR Zone (Artists in Residence) offers free studio space to emerging talents, ensuring that while the place may lean into commerce, there’s still room for raw creativity. It’s a win-win, really—artists get space to create, and collectors get to scope out the next big thing before their prices skyrocket. Everybody leaves happy, or at least slightly more cultured.

River City Bangkok goes beyond its gallery floors. Their offerings include a rooftop that feels straight out of a New York indie film. This year, the RCB Rooftop has hosted everything from Skyline Film screenings to art parties, and rumour has it they’re planning a theatre production this November. If that doesn’t have you feeling cultured, nothing will.

But let’s not get too starry-eyed. The delicate balance of art and commerce at River City Bangkok raises some inevitable questions. How much of this cultural offering is genuine artistic expression, and how much is driven by the need to keep the cash registers humming? For every free studio space given to an emerging artist, there’s a luxury souvenir shop subtly encouraging you to contribute to the centre’s revenue stream. Is it a trade-off worth making? Well, when you factor in the opportunity that’s provided to Thai artists who may not otherwise have the support, then perhaps it’s not such a bad deal.

So, whether you’re here for the portraits, the antiques, or just a few quirky keepsakes, River City Bangkok continues to be the go-to destination for art lovers and collector appeal and is still very much the place to indulge in art. While we might like to think that pure appreciation is enough to sustain artists, Koktail knows that a little financial reward is just as essential. After all, the artists—whether they’re emerging talents or established names—deserve to reap more than just admiration. Supporting art means ensuring both the creators and the institutions that champion them get something in return. Big or small, the artists at River City deserve to thrive, and if that means we leave with a pricey memento or two, well, so be it.

What’s On This October

• Detective Conan 30th Anniversary Exhibition (October 5 – November 16, 2024)

For anime fans looking to dive deep into the world of Detective Conan, now’s your chance.

• Italthai Portrait Prize 2024 Exhibition (September 27 – November 3, 2024)

Portraits galore—catch them before they’re gone.

• Live Auction (October 5, 2024)

If you’ve got a taste for antiques and a love for bidding wars, this is your moment.

• Before 2475 Restage (November 8 – 24, 2024)

A theatrical journey into Thailand’s political history. Intrigued? So are we.

• In the Garden, Things We Found (September 28 – October 27, 2024)

A contemporary exhibit exploring nature and discovery—perhaps a little something for the more introspective visitor.

• In the Middle (August 29 – October 6, 2024)

Last chance to catch this exhibition before it disappears into the ether.