Street art is a form of visual art created in public spaces, such as on buildings, walls, sidewalks, and other surfaces accessible to the public. It encompasses a wide range of techniques, including painting, graffiti, sticker art, sculpture, and installation art.

Charoen Krung, Bang Rak, and Song Wat are old city districts with some open spaces, dilapidated areas, or grimy concrete walls. These areas are suitable for creating street art to add vibrancy. While some street art already existed in these districts, the BUKRUK II Urban Arts Festival was held in late January 2016 to connect Asia and Europe through art. Street artists from various Asian and European countries, including Thailand, Japan, Korea, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Austria, Belgium, and Romania, participated in the festival, creating art in their unique styles. The artworks were scattered throughout Charoen Krung, Bang Rak, and Song Wat. Although some time has passed, these street art pieces remain for art enthusiasts to discover.

The First Spot: A Dreamlike Pool by Daan Botlek

The first mural, located near the exit of Saphan Taksin BTS station on the Shangri-La Hotel side, is a dreamlike pool painted by Dutch artist Daan Botlek. Dominated by pink hues, the expansive mural depicts an imaginary body of water. This highly visible piece is likely the most encountered by passersby.

A large street art mural on the side of a building opposite AIA headquarters on Decho Road is the work of Japanese artist Motomichi Nakamura. The mural, featuring bold red, black, and white colors, depicts a figure resembling a Daruma doll, a traditional Japanese lucky charm.

A golden mermaid on a black background adorns the wall of the building opposite the Hainan Association on Surawong Road. The work, by Fikos from Greece, reveals subtle Thai influences in the mermaid's attire and various patterns.

Soi Charoen Krung 32, next to the Central Post Office, is an alley with the most street art from various artists. A familiar image is the three-eyed, frowning child by Thai artist Alexmardi, which looks more cute and gentle than other images, which are more aggressive. However, if you look closely at the details of the items being carried, the three-eyed, frowning child is also secretly cruel. Another interesting image by Alexmardi is a child with a frowning face that only has eyes, a nose, and a mouth that is sticking out its tongue. It is a satirical image that is painted above a garbage bin. The frowning child glances at the garbage below, inhales the smell deeply, and makes him want to eat, so he licks his lips.

The other murals in the same area are the works of various guest artists, including Bonus TMC, Sabek, Phai, Kult, Lolay, and Thibaud Tchertchian. Each artist brings their own unique concept, color palette, and captivating style to the space.

Soi Charoen Krung 32, being a tourist pier, is naturally bustling with activity. Tourists, tuk-tuks, and taxis frequently pass by, some even stopping to pick up passengers, occasionally obstructing the view of the murals. However, this can be seen as a positive aspect, as it adds to the atmosphere of street art appreciation. After all, streets are meant to be filled with vehicles and people.

At the entrance of Soi Charoen Krung 28, where the Old Town Hostel is located, a mural of a bird riding a unicycle adorns the wall. This piece is the work of Muebon, a Thai street artist. On the same wall, a black and white mural depicting a Korean scene by Daehyun Kim, a Korean artist, can be found. Across the street, a mural of a bird wearing a hat, created by Saddo, a Romanian artist, graces the wall of a building.

Across the street from Soi Charoen Krung 28, there is a small alleyway adorned with charming cat murals. These murals depict real-life cats owned by residents in the area, including a large mouse. The inspiration for these murals came from the artist's observations of the cats in the neighborhood. In front of the shophouses in the alley, cats can be seen napping comfortably on plastic chairs. It is unclear whether these cats served as models for the artist's murals.

Wanni 2 Alley is a densely populated commercial and residential area. Street art is hidden in various corners of the alley, which is the work of the first and second Bukruk events. Some of the paintings have faded, and it is a pity that some have been vandalized with scribbles. Most of the paintings in this area depict the atmosphere of the lives of the people in the area. Some of the paintings are portraits painted alongside real objects, such as a painting of a person writing Chinese characters on paper, which is painted next to a real Chinese paper sign, a painting of a bench, a painting of a stone lion, a painting of a car wheel, etc.

Continuing from Soi Wanit 2 to Thanon Song Wat, at the three-way intersection opposite Wat Pathum Khongkha, there is a vibrant pink mural by Romanian artist Aitch. The mural depicts floral patterns, leaves, birds, and a tiger (or cat?).

On Thanon Songwad, another street art spot can be found at the riverside parking lot, known as the "Yellow Van Parking Lot." This spot features large murals on both sides of the parking lot's tall buildings. One side depicts two elephants, painted by Belgian artist Roa. He chose elephants, significant animals in Thailand, as the subject of his street art. It is said that this mural was painted without any preliminary sketches, and the intricate details of the elephants' skin are clearly visible. On the other side, a mural of overlapping bicycles in light, soothing colors was created by Spanish artist Aryz.

While the aforementioned street art pieces represent a significant portion of the artistic landscape in Charoen Krung, Bang Rak, and Song Wat districts, there are undoubtedly hidden gems and overlooked works waiting to be discovered. If you're passionate about this art form, it's time to embark on your own street art exploration and uncover the hidden treasures that await.