Hobart's Mona announces plans to set up art museum in Thailand

Hobart's Museum of Old and New Art (Mona) has announced plans to establish a new art museum in Bangkok, Thailand.

Mona was opened in 2011 by David Walsh on the banks of the River Derwent and is known for its provocative artworks, including a wall of vulvas and a machine that is fed twice daily and mimics the human digestive process.

Mr Walsh also set up Tasmania's midwinter arts festival Dark Mofo, which exhibits similarly subversive artworks and music as well as large-scale parties and a nude solstice ocean swim.

Mr Walsh made his fortune through professional gambling, though Mona itself is free for Tasmanians and does not make a profit.

Now, Mona has partnered with Thai real estate company Asset World Corporation (AWC) to develop MONA Bangkok, a "major new art destination" on the banks of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok.

"Having spent most of the last 25 years studying how museums work, AWC has presented us with a remarkable opportunity to take what we've learned to one of the great tourist centres of the world," Mr Walsh said in a statement.

AWC's portfolio includes luxury hotels, restaurants, shopping centres and commercial skyscrapers across Thailand.

Walsh in Bangkok to sign agreement

Mr Walsh signed a memorandum of understanding with AWC on Friday in Bangkok.

Also present were his wife, artist Kirsha Kaechele, DarkLab chief executive Leigh Carmichael, Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff and several Thai officials.

DarkLab, set up by Mr Walsh and Mr Carmichael in 2016, runs Dark Mofo and owns several Hobart venues including the Odeon Theatre and Altar Bar.

Mr Carmichael will lead the project on Mona's side under Walsh's direction.

"MONA Bangkok will take the creative spirit of Mona into a new context," Mr Carmichael said in a statement.

"Like the museum in Hobart, it will be unconventional and unique, and will present work by leading international artists, while also creating opportunities for meaningful dialogue with Thai artists, audiences and cultural traditions."

He said the theme of light would be explored.

"Light has long been a source of fascination, reflection and hope across cultures, and it feels especially resonant in Bangkok, with its rich cultural life and traditions," he said.

MONA Bangkok could boost tourism in Tasmania, Rockliff says

Mr Rockliff said AWC travelled to Tasmania last year to meet with Mona, after the pair met in Thailand during a government trade and investment mission.

"Mona has transformed Tasmania, attracting visitors from around the world and helping establish the state as a globally recognised creative destination," he said in a statement.

"Mona's next project places Tasmania at the global forefront of the cultural landscape and is a credit to the passion of David Walsh, Leigh Carmichael and all the Mona team."

Mr Rockliff said MONA Bangkok could increase Tasmanian tourism.

"We look forward to people being inspired to come to Tasmania to experience Mona after visiting this project in Bangkok," he said.