In an amazing year devoted to an amazing man, a tremendous source of inspiration for artists was His Majesty the King. Despite his own frail health and worries about politics and the economy, the monarch remains a beacon of strength - and of hope.

Everyone's calendar is filled with art exhibitions and competitions dedicated to showing reverence and affection toward His Majesty in this anniversary year and in 2007, when he will turn 80.

The biggest show so far was and is "Art in the Reign of King Rama IX: Six Decades of Thai Art", on display at the Queen's Gallery in Bangkok until February 11.

It provides great insight into how art has prospered during His Majesty's years on the throne, with works of past masters shown alongside those of the younger generations. Organised by the Rama IX Art Museum Foundation, it's a rare chance to see these 150 diverse pieces under one roof.

To celebrated sculptor Watchara Prayoonkum, the King is like a living god. In a joint show with China's Yen Lei titled "9.09.2549: Centuries Re-Observed", Watchara created a room behind a solid gate where the floor was soft, the lighting dim and the walls a royal blue.

In the centre was a tall bronze sculpture of the King in full court regalia, seated on a throne with a five-tiered prasat roof and garuda figures at its base. The rocks on the floor surrounding it alluded the allegiance of the Thai people.

Yan Lei's "photographic paintings" of royal family members were computer-manipulated from photos, banknotes and postcards and enhanced with brushstrokes - series of glowing outlines vibrating around the subjects like colourful auras.

War and rockets

Three young stars - Wit Pimkanchanapong, Porntaweesak Rimsakul and Bundith Phunsombatlert - seized a lion's share of the art community's attention this year.

Bundith was back from a two-year absence with an impressive, humorous and satirical interactive installation called "On the Ball (The Game Has Begun. 'Beware Crossing the Grid')". Gallery visitors sat down to a round of Pong, the original computer table-tennis game, and found themselves at war - with their own feelings about war.

Porntaweesak jumped from reptilian teapots to military helmets that roamed the gallery at the command of spectators, who became battlefield generals.

Wit brought the "Soi" collaborative installation from the Yokohama Triennale to Paris for the Tout a fait Thai Festival, and it's next heading to the Sharjah Biennial in the United Arab Emirates.

At home, he participated in the group show "Platform", setting up a relaxed corner where gallery visitors could assemble cardboard "Rocket Cabs".

Nang Kwak lures

Mr Jim back

More established artists like Sakarin Krue-on and Navin Rawanchaikul didn't let the youngsters steal the whole show.

Sakarin mustered an army of the famously beckoning Nang Kwak figurines in "Equal Opportunity". Two hundred of them were aligned in rows as loudspeakers emitted the voices of children saying "am-nad" (power) and "khwam samerpak" (equality).

Navin succeeded at something many brave souls have tried - finding silk tycoon Jim Thompson, and just in time for his 100th birthday.

In "Lost in the City", Navin has transformed the Jim Thompson House gallery into a city street, with the long-lost former spy turned businessman taking the form of a life-size fibreglass sculpture.

This show - continuing until March 31 - wonders how Thompson is supposed to get home again when Bangkok has changed beyond description - physically and spiritually - since he last saw it 40 years ago.

Bangkok's own

'think tank'

For remarkable exhibitions from overseas, the Thailand Creative and Design Centre has proved to be the place to go for fresh ways of looking at things.

The originality of Japanese design, the iconoclastic wardrobe of Vivienne Westwood, jolting Finnish home decor and much more have come under the microscope in engaging exhibitions and lectures.

Until February 4 the centre is hosting "Living Under the Crescent Moon: Domestic Culture in the Arab World", in which the colourful and expressive domestic lifestyles of the Mideast are examined.

Worth the trek

Art lovers got some exercise early this year when "Temporary Art Museum Soi Sabai" placed paintings, installations, photographs, videos, films and live music from Japan, Finland and Germany, as well as Thailand, all over town.

The main magnet, though, was Yoshitomo Nara, whose little wooden studio was re-created at Silpakorn University, complete with unfinished drawings scattered about among crayons, stationery, toys and dolls.

Channelling Europe

"Month of Photography" was part of La Fete, the annual cultural party hosted by the French Embassy and Alliance Francaise. This year it features the photographs of 15 top professionals from home and abroad.

The British Council arranged a show by Damien Hirst and Douglas Gordon as well. "Monologue/Dialogue" had Hirst's typographical prints done up like medicine packages in a jarring lament to people putting their faith in drug corporations and the curatives themselves.

Got walls if you want 'em

A sagging economy didn't stop several new galleries from opening around Bangkok. Rirkrit Tiravanija's Gallery Ver in Thon Buri's Klong San district had "Project X" by New York-based Udomsak Krisanamis as its inaugural show.

Artist Thavorn Ko-udomvit opened the Ardel Gallery of Modern Art in Taling Chan district, which is doubling as an art school for children. Photographer Manit Sriwanichpoom and his partner Ing K turned a shophouse in Silom into a photo gallery called Kathmandu.

The Number 1 Gallery popped up in the basement of Silom Galleria, focusing on modern paintings, especially Buddhism-inspired subjects. Its retrospective on Prasong Luemuang had pieces selling like hotcakes.

New in Siam Square is Whitespace, which aims to be a playground for young artists and art students.

The arbiters of art

In tandem with the birth of the new galleries, the contemporary-art scene has been refreshed by a new generation of curators.

Thai Manuporn Luengaram and Bangkok-based Australian David Teh put together a playful interactive exhibition called "Platform", while young artist Pratchaya Phinthong is in charge of Gallery Ver.

Singaporean Joseph Ng is the full-time curator at Tang Contemporary Art, and Briton Steven Pettifor recently arranged a showing of Danish artist Adi Kirketerp's installation for Bed Supperclub.

Khetsirin Pholdhampalit,

 Phatarawadee Phataranawik

 The Nation