POP MART Opens “MOLLY 20th Anniversary Exhibition – Bangkok”
Inviting visitors to revisit MOLLY’s 20-year journey from art to pop culture in the heart of Bangkok In collaboration with PMCU and TAT, creating a platform for Thai creativity To reinterpret MOLLY through fresh perspectives
POP MART Thailand, operated by POP MART INTERNATIONAL, together with Chulalongkorn University Property Management (PMCU) and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), unveiled the “MOLLY 20th Anniversary Exhibition – Bangkok” under the theme “The Little Galaxy – A Journey Through the Universe of Time” at Chulalongkorn University Centenary Park, ahead of its public opening from September 24 to October 25, 2026.
The exhibition celebrates MOLLY’s 20-year creative journey. Created by renowned artist Kenny Wong, MOLLY’s story is presented through original works, contemporary art, and interpretations by artists and craftspeople from diverse cultures. The exhibition also connects the power of art with education, community, the creative economy, and tourism in Bangkok.
The exhibition opening was attended by Kenny Wong, who travelled to Bangkok to celebrate this significant anniversary, alongside executives from partner organizations, artists, members of the media, creators, and distinguished guests. Together, they experienced a special preview of the exhibition before MOLLY’s story opens to the public for an entire month.
MOLLY:
MOLLY’s story began when Kenny Wong encountered a young girl on Victoria Peak in Hong Kong. He later created the iconic character—a pouty girl with large lake-blue eyes and endless curiosity about the world around her.
POP MART and MOLLY began their exclusive collaboration in 2016, marking the 10th anniversary of MOLLY’s creation. Their first co-created collection, Zodiac MOLLY, sold out almost immediately upon launch.
In the years that followed, POP MART and Kenny Wong introduced a series of beloved collections, including the SPACE MOLLY series, Baby MOLLY series, and Royal MOLLY series, further expanding the character’s world and appeal. These collections helped establish MOLLY as one of the most popular designer collectibles among fans and collectors worldwide.
POP MART is grateful and pleased that MOLLY has maintained her enduring appeal and continues to be loved and chosen by fans today.
As POP MART’s first IP, MOLLY holds a special place in the brand’s creative journey. Celebrating 20 years of artistic evolution, MOLLY will continue to grow through fresh creativity and new forms of expression, while staying true to the distinctive character and spirit that have shaped her story.
Ms. Siriporn Plangchantuk, Head of Southeast Asia, POP MART, said:
“For POP MART, bringing the MOLLY 20th Anniversary Exhibition to Thailand marks an important opportunity to present a world-class international exhibition in Bangkok, while creating a meaningful connection between MOLLY’s world and Thailand’s creativity, culture, and people in Thailand. We aim to provide a platform for Thai artists and craftspeople to showcase their creativity and potential through fresh perspectives, while connecting art with education, community, and tourism. Beyond the exhibition itself, the success of this project is reflected in the inspiration it sparks, the opportunities it creates, and the lasting value it brings to people and the surrounding community.”
Chulalongkorn University Centenary Park as a Destination
Chulalongkorn University Centenary Park as the exhibition venue to bring together art, nature, education, community, and urban life. The location reflects the project’s vision of making MOLLY’s story accessible to a diverse audience, while becoming part of Bangkok’s vibrant city experience.
The semi-outdoor setting allows visitors to experience MOLLY’s world in a context different from a conventional exhibition space. Surrounded by greenery, natural light, and Bangkok’s urban atmosphere, the exhibition creates a unique connection between the artworks, the location, and people’s everyday lives.
Its central Bangkok location also connects the university, public transportation, surrounding communities, and Banthat Thong, one of the most popular food and lifestyle districts among younger generations. Visitors can therefore naturally extend their journey from the exhibition and explore the surrounding neighborhood.
Creating Learning Opportunities Beyond the Classroom through Real-World Experience
One of the project’s key objectives is to provide Chulalongkorn University students with hands-on experience in bringing an international exhibition to life. Through real-world involvement, students can gain insight into the behind-the-scenes process—from venue management and communications to event coordination and creating a meaningful visitor experience.
Within the exhibition, visitors can also discover about the character-creation process through MOLLY’s story, from the initial concept and sketches to the development of her appearance and personality, as well as the expansion of the work through a variety of media, materials, and techniques. Her 20-year journey shows how an original idea can continue to grow through creativity and experimentation, while staying true to the creator’s unique artistic identity.
The project also offers school and university students the opportunity to register in advance for complimentary group visits, making art, design, and the creative industries more accessible to young people. Through this experience, we hope to spark new ideas, encourage further learning, and inspire young people to explore future opportunities in the creative industries.
Asst. Prof. Charasphat Preuksarattanawut , Ph.D., Assistant Vice President Property Management for Chulalongkorn University said:
“Chulalongkorn University Centenary Park is more than a green and public space—it is a place for learning that connects the university with the surrounding community. Bringing an international exhibition to this venue makes art more accessible to young people and the wider public, extends learning beyond the classroom, and gives students valuable opportunities to gain real-world experience in the creative industries.”
Connecting the Exhibition Experience with the Banthat Thong Community
Hosting the exhibition in a public space brings MOLLY into the rhythm of everyday city life, creating an experience that can be shared by a diverse audience—from MOLLY fans, art lovers, and collectors to students, families, tourists, and people who live and work in the surrounding community.
To extend the exhibition experience into the surrounding community, POP MART is introducing the “MOLLY 20th Anniversary Stamp Collection,” inviting visitors to explore popular participating restaurants along Banthat Thong Road and collect stamps along the way. After completing the journey, participants can return to the MOLLY 20th Anniversary Pop-Up Store at Chulalongkorn University Centenary Park to collect the final stamp and receive an exclusive MOLLY 20th Anniversary postcard.
The activity connects MOLLY’s story with the vibrant lifestyle and food culture of Banthat Thong. Along the journey, participants can experience the character of the neighborhood, discover popular local restaurants, and explore the creativity that extends beyond the exhibition into the surrounding area.
Extending Creative Energy into Economic Opportunities
MOLLY’s journey demonstrates the potential of an artwork to develop into a character that connects with a broad audience and creates a creative ecosystem encompassing artists, designers, craftspeople, manufacturers, collectors, and entrepreneurs from a variety of fields.
Bringing MOLLY together with Thai artists and craftspeople creates opportunities for traditional knowledge and techniques to be presented in a contemporary context, while increasing awareness of Thai creative works among a broader and more diverse audience.
Hosting the exhibition in central Bangkok, together with activities connected to the Banthat Thong district, also encourages travel and spending in the area, including at restaurants, shops, service businesses, and surrounding locations. This helps extend opportunities generated by creative activities to the community and local entrepreneurs.
The project therefore reflects the role of art and Pop Culture as forces within the creative economy, capable of generating cultural, social, and economic value at the same time.
Enriching Domestic Tourism with New Experiences through Art and Pop Culture
The collaboration with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) helps develop art and art toy culture into another motivation for domestic travel, attracting MOLLY fans, art lovers, collectors, and Thai tourists to experience the exhibition while exploring Bangkok and its surrounding creative districts.
Bringing together significant works from MOLLY’s 20-year journey, along with pieces by artists and craftspeople from diverse cultures, adds variety to domestic tourism experiences and creates a new destination for art and Pop Culture in the heart of Bangkok.
The exhibition’s location also connects visitors to important nearby areas, particularly Banthat Thong, allowing them to design a travel experience that combines viewing art, exploring the city, and experiencing its food culture.
Ms. Wannapha Kiatphongsa, Executive Director of the Central Region, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said:
“Thai travellers today value experiences that tell a story, have a distinctive identity, and offer inspiration. An international art exhibition can therefore serve as another motivation for domestic travel, while connecting an exhibition visit with tourism in Bangkok and the surrounding areas. This helps stimulate economic activity and distribute income to local communities and businesses.”
At the Heart of the Exhibition: Revisiting MOLLY’s 20-Year Journey through Art
At the “MOLLY 20th Anniversary Exhibition – Bangkok”, visitors are invited on a journey through time to explore MOLLY’s development over two decades through Kenny Wong’s original works, including sketches, paintings, figures, and significant works from different periods.
From a little girl character with curiosity and playful imagination, MOLLY has grown alongside the worlds of art and art toys to become one of the most internationally recognised characters. Works from each period allow visitors to see the evolution of her appearance, personality, artistic language, and the ideas behind her journey.
The exhibition also brings together works by artists and craftspeople from diverse cultures, who reinterpret MOLLY through their own perspectives using techniques including painting, Sichuan embroidery, paper cutting, wax-resist dyed textiles, silverwork, ceramics, lacquerwork, and other forms of craftsmanship. The result is a dialogue between traditional wisdom and contemporary culture that reaches younger audiences through the language of creativity.
One of the exhibition’s key highlights is a collection of special works by Thai artists and craftspeople, connecting MOLLY’s personality and story with Thai art, history, wisdom, and imagination.
ROYAL MOLLY × PHANNAPAST “Golden Dew” by Yoon–Phannapast
Yoon–Phannapast, an internationally recognised Thai artist who has collaborated with leading brands and projects around the world, brings her distinctive visual language and imagination to her interpretation of MOLLY
in ROYAL MOLLY × PHANNAPAST “Golden Dew.”
The work is inspired by the concept of inner peace and balance, conveyed through three monkeys representing different ways of life: pursuing one’s dreams, learning through action, and waiting in stillness. Beside them is the “goldfish elephant,” an imaginary creature inspired by mythical Himmapan creatures and representing the discovery of harmony amid differences.
At the centre of the story is Golden Dew, who is likened to a dewdrop reflecting sunlight and invites viewers to explore the meaning of peace that comes from learning to embrace every side of oneself, while allowing differences to coexist in balance.
When Molly Meets Thai Cultural Heritage
POP MART, in collaboration with the Sustainable Arts and Crafts Institute of Thailand (Public Organization), or SACIT, presents the Benjarong work “MOLLY and Daisy – MOLLY in the Daisy Garden” by Tawee Phansri, winner of SACIT Craft Station 2026 and “Traces of Flight” by Chalermkiat Somdulyawat, winner of SACIT Craft Station 2025 and co-founder of COTH Studio
MOLLY and Daisy – MOLLY in the Daisy Garden by Tawee Phansri
The work is inspired by the “Chakri pattern,” a motif that reflects the beauty of the Chakri Dynasty and is connected to historical narratives from the reign of King Rama V. This connection continues through to the origins of Chulalongkorn University, which developed from the Civil Service Training School established in 1899 before becoming Chulalongkorn University in 1916. The university has used the “Phra Kiao” as its emblem to the present day.
The artist selected pink, Chulalongkorn University’s official colour, as the main background, adding details of pale pink leaves and white flowers to give the Chakri pattern a refined and contemporary quality. Every pattern and colour is hand-painted onto glazed ware, reflecting the meticulous craftsmanship of Benjarong and creating a meaningful connection between MOLLY, history, and the exhibition venue.
Traces of Flight by Chalermkiat Somdulyawat
The work conveys MOLLY’s journey through “Traces of Flight.” The 20 birds featured on the crown and costume represent the 20 years of encounters, changes, and experiences that have gradually accumulated and shaped MOLLY’s identity.
The work was created using traditional lacquer techniques combined with eggshell, abalone shell, gold leaf, and silver leaf. Its composition leaves parts of the lacquer surface exposed, creating a rhythm between appearance and disappearance, much like memories and time in continual motion.
The surface of the work changes with the light and viewing angle, inviting visitors to experience its details from multiple perspectives while revealing how traditional materials and techniques can be used to create a living contemporary artistic language.
Visitor Information
The MOLLY 20th Anniversary Exhibition – Bangkok is open to the public from September 24 to October 25, 2026, at Chulalongkorn University Centenary Park.
Visitors can purchase an Exhibition Package through Trip.com by searching for “MOLLY 20th Anniversary Exhibition Bangkok” on the Trip.com website or application and selecting their preferred date and time slot. Further details about the Exhibition Package and visitor information are also available on Trip.com.
Throughout the journey within the exhibition, visitors will see how MOLLY has grown through dreams, creative courage, and experiences accumulated over 20 years. Her story inspires everyone to believe in their own beginnings, no matter how small they may be, as reflected in an important message waiting to be discovered within the exhibition:
“This is the beginning of a story in which even a stray cat can grow into a tiger.”
Follow POP MART Thailand’s social media channels for exhibition details, activities, and further information.
