Social Enterprise ‘The GALLERY’ Helps Communities and Preserves Thai Culture

 INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit has unveiled ‘The GALLERY’ to showcase the wares of talented Thai designers, artists and craftspeople, to improve livelihoods and preserve skills handed down the generations.

Underpinned by the concept of “Giving Art, Art of Giving”, the social enterprise is situated on the hotel’s 32nd floor adjacent to the reception desk. Connecting local artisans with a broader audience, The GALLERY offers meaningful products such as silks, accessories, hand-painted décor, ceramics, children’s toys and much more. 

All profits from The GALLERY support scholarships for art and design students to ultimately help communities in need and safeguard Thai culture, particularly the skills indigenous to over 302 communities across Thailand. The communities surround properties owned by Thailand’s leading integrated lifestyle real estate group Asset World Corp Public Company Limited (AWC), which established The GALLERY.

“It’s more than a curated marketplace; every purchase celebrates local craftsmanship and empowers communities, making The GALLERY a space where creativity meets conscious impact,” said INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit’s general manager Tarek Beheiry.

“For our team, it feels rewarding to connect our hotel’s guests to Thailand’s art and culture by providing opportunities among Thai artisans to showcase their artwork.”

Some of the items on offer are accompanied by “Meet the artist” stories behind the pieces. DAWOOD Voyage Travel Souvenirs’ craftspeople create intricate tuk-tuk souvenirs and fridge magnets of The Grand Palace made from sustainable wood to take people back to a bygone era. Meanwhile, Ruen Klin crafts durable, long-lasting woven flower garlands out of dried and treated water hyacinth, a prolific aquatic weed that when harnessed responsibly is used to craft baskets, mats, furniture and decorative items as an eco-friendly alternative to plastic.

Based on the mission of “Building a Better Future”, The GALLERY was established by AWC, the owner of INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit, to showcase Thai artisans’ work. AWC’s efforts are in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 8 to “promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all”.

In addition to INNSiDE By Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit, AWC has rolled out The GALLERY at 18 more of its hotels including Meliá Chiang Mai.

Reaching 34 floors in Bangkok’s emerging On Nut neighbourhood, the 208-room INNSiDE By Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit has a design that draws inspiration from some of Bangkok’s most famous landmarks. Its world-class facilities include a sky-high transparent swimming pool, rooftop tapas bar, all-day dining restaurant, integrated co-working spaces and playful meeting rooms and multifunctional areas.

For more information or to make a booking, visit melia.com, email reservation.innside.sukhumvit@melia.com or call +66 2 340 5499.