If you’ve been following Chiang Mai Design Festival 2025 this year, you’ll know there’s been tons of local and international guests showing off their best all around the city. From music to art, fashion to technology, the north is buzzing and alive – making this one of the busiest and most exciting
Of all the venues, Three Kings Monument may be the most interesting. There’s back-to-back happenings at both the Lanna Folklife Museum and Chiang Mai Arts and Cultural Centre just behind, but it’s what’s on the courtyard itself that has caught our attention.
Slap bang in the middle you’ll find the Russian-Thai Business Council (RTBC) pavilion – a bright white and orange display of Russian heritage, art, craft and contemporary design. From Gzhel porcelain to contemporary fashion and design, the Russian Soul Pavilion brings three cultural landscapes of Russia into the heart of Chiang Mai. Discover it for free and try your hand at the creative workshops until December 14.
Local Plus – Design Week theme with a Russian twist
For Vladimir Kovalev, Executive Director of RTBC, the decision to debut here was obvious. ‘Chiang Mai was our clear choice,’ he tells Time Out. ‘It’s not just a city; it’s Thailand’s creative capital.’
Visit on any given day and you’ll find Vladimir’s team – many having flown in specially from Moscow – keen to share their best. With design at the heart of the city this week, he adds ‘this philosophy perfectly matches what we want to show the world. We knew we had to be here.’
The theme guiding RTBC’s showcase this year is Local Plus – the same theme that frames the Design Week.
‘We interpret Local Plus through modern takes on Russian cultural heritage, bringing new and upcoming brands and legendary designers to Thailand in a bid to build connections for local talent in both our countries, as well as offering a fresh view of design as an economic driver.’
Step inside and, amid the glowing hues of orange and bright white canvas walls, you really feel it. Three zones have been set up, each expressing different cultural landscapes of Russia:
- Russian North – think wood, textiles, games that fill time during cold winters
- Golden Ring – ornate energy and sparkling pattern work from both traditional and contemporary artists and designers
- The Steppes – an ode to the traditional, with Matryoshka dolls, jewellery and elegant textiles.
‘The pavilion tells a story,’ Vladimir says. ‘Aside from the displays, there are workshops, talks and activities that fill the space around the idea of revealing our Russian soul to a Thai audience.’
150 works, 20 brands and a bridge between cultures
Throughout the pavilion you’ll find more than 150 works by 20 Russian designers and master artisans – from world-famous Gzhel porcelain and crystal, to handpainted Palekh watches, contemporary kokoshnik headpieces, embroidered fashion by DressbyStesha, Orenshal shawls, scented candles and lifestyle fashionware from Cocos by Abrau Durso.
It’s part exhibition, part cultural conversation, part boutique – a glimpse into modern Russian creativity that feels right at home in Chiang Mai’s design-driven neighbourhoods.
‘In November we organised the first Russian-Thai Investment Forum in Phuket with more than 1,000 participants from both countries,’ Vladimir adds as he talks his way around the pavilion’s best displays.
‘This forum was the largest business event in the history of our two countries. It’s motto? “Let’s ‘Thai’ our investments” – playing with the meaning of the word ‘tie’.’
He jokes that this motto has shaped the approach they took for Design Week, where they ‘Thai’ culture, design and people together through their presence.
‘We see great potential here in Chiang Mai,’ Vladimir says. ‘Ideas for joint projects are emerging. Our HSE University School of Design hosts workshops, and we’re open to creating joint programs with Thai universities. This is the starting point for long-term collaboration.’
Why you should go this weekend
The pavilion is open, free and ready to be explored – but aside from the fascinating displays (especially if you’re a bit of a Russiaphile like me) it’s the talks, workshops and cultural sessions that are the real pull.
Russia’s HSE University School of Design is also here for the ride, hosting the majority of workshops and a series of talks that aim to open opportunities for joint collaboration programs with Thai universities.
From early afternoon (usually around 3pm) you can get hands-on trying out traditional art techniques, learning about the products on display and understanding more about Russian culture. Workshops are spread between the pavilion and the cultural centre next door, keeping things indoors when the sun gets a little too hot.
‘Just come and visit us,’ Vladimir says warmly as Time Out interview him in the sun – something he joked is not a common sight in Russia. ‘Our pavilion is an open, welcoming space. We want everyone to discover a new, modern Russia.’
And if you haven’t stopped by yet, consider this your cue: the pavilion is open through December 14, and it’s one of the most surprisingly soulful additions to this year’s programme.
What happens after Design Week?
RTBC is already looking ahead to their next event. With the next Russian-Thai Investment Forum scheduled for October 2026, Vladimir and his representatives plan to follow up on every business and creative connection made here. Keep that in mind if you’ve got something creative you’d like to take international – this may be your chance!
‘We have been inspired by Design Week,’ says Vladimir. ‘So much so, we plan to bring a similar style event to Russia, where we’ll invite Thai designers and artists to present their works in our homeland – sharing modern heritage cross-borders.’
Time Out in partnership with Russian-Thai Business Council
Visit their English website at rusthaibusiness.com/en