Public Art Space Now Open at Pathumwan Intersection Skywalk
Bangkok (Thailand) – August 6, 2017 (travelindex.com) – Siam Synergy and entrepreneurs in Siam District are ready to unveil the skywalk spanning the Pathumwan Intersection, constructed with the concept of universal design in mind to offer convenience to visitors in the area and give back to society.
The beating heart of Bangkok, Siam District is a business hub that has been the epicenter of economic prosperity, education, art, and innovation and an ever-popular destination for Thai and international tourists alike. As such, the area has seen a sharp rise in the number of visitors. However, a study conducted in collaboration with Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and Bangkok Mass Transit System PLC revealed that the walkway over the Pathumwan Intersection, previously connecting National Stadium BTS Station and Bangkok Art and Culture Center to MBK Shopping Center, Siam Discovery, and Siam Scare, was not only narrow and old but also unable to accommodate an expected pedestrian growth of over 4.9% per year and an increase in visitor volume of 9.83% per year. In addition, the skywalk failed to provide thorough access to all the areas of the intersection to the elderly and the disabled. Therefore, beginning in 2016, a complete renovation of the skywalk was carried out with private funding to ensure it would be able accommodate every group of users, including the elderly and the disabled and serve as a public leisure area. Inspired by the name of the Pathumwan Intersection, which means water lilies, the skywalk features structures in the shape of lily pads to provide shade for pedestrians.
Furthermore, Bangkok Art and Culture Center will also lend a hand to elevate the area into an art district that will serve as a creative venue where Thai and international artists can host outdoor exhibitions and showcase their artworks. To inaugurate the Pathumwan Intersection Skywalk, 13 internationally-recognized Thai street artists were invited, namely Yuree Kensaku, P7 or Peerapong Limthamrong, Jackkrit Anantakul, Rukkit Kuanhawate, Maythee Noijinda, TRK, Pruch Sintunava, Peap Tarr & Lisa Mam, Mauy, JECK BKK, Floyd, and Channarong Klugiad. Working in different styles from graffiti and illustration to drawing and painting, these top artists came together and brought their unique flair to the lily pad installation art on the skywalk, making this one of the biggest gatherings of Thailand’s leading street artists and artistic phenomena in Bangkok.
Skywalks are a common sight in prime areas in metropolises around the world and are constructed to provide safety and convenience for pedestrians and link major mass transit systems together. Some of these skywalks also serve as leisure areas and have become world-renowned tourist attractions such as the High Line in New York, Skygarden in Seoul, and the Promenade Plantée in Paris.
Siam Synergy would like to invite everyone to join the naming contest of the new skywalk at the Pathumwan Intersection and stand a chance to win a prize of 100,000 baht.
Participants can submit their entries either via post to “Siam Piwat Co., Ltd., (Headquarters) 989 Siam Piwat Tower Building, 8th Floor, Rama 1 Road, Pathumwan Sub-District, Pathumwan District, Bangkok 10330” (with “Naming and Logo Contest for the Pathumwan Intersection Skywalk” indicated on the envelope) or via email to siam_synergy@siampiwat.com or sstradeassociation@gamil.com, starting today until September 4, 2017. The winner will be announced on September 2017 on www.siam-synergy.com. For more details and the rules of the contest, please visit the website.
For more information, please kindly contact
Public Relations Department Tel. 02 610 8194
Sireetorn Niyomsen 081 831 1406
sireetorn.n@supremo.co.th