Aiming to transforming Bangkok into cultural city, Bangkok will be coloured with two mega art exhibitions, Bangkok governor Apirak Kosayodhin announced at newly-opened Bangkok Art and Culture Centre yesterday, one day before finishing his term.

"Bangkok, as urban city, has been changing rapidly. Sometime speedy city expansion causes both pro and con. I hope art and culture will help lively transforming into better urban," the governor said.

"Although I'll step down from the position tomorrow, the art centre can be run by Art Foundation of Bangkok in which Prof Apinan Poshyananda, foundation's administration committee chairman and Chatvichai Promadhattavedi, acting director are taking care. We set some amount of money - budget of 2009 - for running the centre at the first phrase," the governor said and adding he will join the upcoming Bangkok Governor election nominated by Democrat Party.

However members of the foundation revealed that the budget was cut from Bt101 millions to Bt80 millions. Now this budget is soon to be proposed in the Council of Bangkok. Now the centre has no permanent administration team. The foundation is now on the process of searching official administration team.

The first show is a contemporary art exhibition "Art+Faith+Politics+Love" displaying over 300 works by 118 artists from around the glove. BMA fund Bt13 millions, Contemporary Art and Culture Office (OCAC) fund Bt7 millions. Curated by Prof Apinan, OCAC's director and his team, the show runs from September 20 to November 23.

The second event is called "Transforming Public Spaces", a two-years-project co-hosted by British Council (Thailand), Bangkok Design Festival and BMA. The British government fund about 60,000 pound for the first year.

The project is divided into two phases. British Embassy Quinton Qualye yesterday launched its website www.changebangkok.com aiming to general public - especially Bangkok residents to participate on changing the city.

The organisers ask for submitting pictures of the most urgiest place in the city which he/she want to be changed. Deadline is on October 1. Ten winning photos will be exhibited at the art centre during Bangkok Design Festival in October. These places will be the potential venue for Thai and UK artists working on "transforming project", its second phase.

"Transforming Public Spaces" first launched in Bangkok and then the ongoing project will be held in other city in East Asia.