More than 700 artists, illustrators and creators occupied nearly 1,100 booths at Illust Fusion EXPO 2026 at Siam Paragon this weekend as one of Thailand’s largest independent art markets returned for its mid-year edition.

Held at Paragon Hall on 13–14 June, the two-day event brought together creators from across the country, offering visitors access to art prints, illustrations, crafts and exclusive merchandise while providing artists with opportunities to connect directly with audiences.

The event, organised by Anitime under Enterdock Co., Ltd., has grown significantly since its launch in 2017. Last year’s edition attracted a record 16,523 visitors, cementing its status as one of Thailand’s largest independent art festivals.

This year’s edition introduced a pop-up café in collaboration with artist Joojee World, creator of the event’s key visual, bringing the artwork and characters to life through a themed café experience.

Throughout the weekend, visitors also attended panel discussions on intellectual property rights, live drawing demonstrations and creative workshops.

For many participants, the event was about more than sales.

Cartoonist Nuan, creator of the long-running comic character “Nuan”, said meeting audiences face-to-face offered a different experience from publishing work online.

“Online, people comment on your work, but here you can see how they connect with the characters and stories in real life,” he said. “It’s also a chance to meet other creators and learn how people in the industry think and work.”

This year, Nuan introduced a new project called “Pawsons”, a colourful character series inspired by the MBTI personality framework. He said the concept grew from an interest in helping people better understand themselves and others through relatable characters.

“Sometimes making someone feel understood is enough,” he said. “As I’ve grown older, I’ve realised that being a small positive part of someone’s day can be just as meaningful as trying to change the world.”

Among the exhibitors was a second-year Digital Arts student from Sripatum University who presented fantasy-inspired illustrations influenced by fairy tales and imaginative storytelling.

She said events such as IFEXPO allow emerging artists to gain exposure and introduce their work to audiences who are already interested in art and illustration.

A lecturer from Sripatum University who creates character merchandise based on African pygmy hedgehogs said art fairs remain an important platform for independent creators.

“Social media helps people find your work, but events like this allow you to meet people who are genuinely interested in art and design,” the lecturer said.

Artists discuss AI’s role in creative industries

Beyond the exhibition itself, several artists interviewed by Khaosod English shared their views on the growing role of artificial intelligence in creative industries.

Nuan argued that debates surrounding AI in Thailand’s art community often focus too heavily on defining who qualifies as an artist rather than examining how technology can be used constructively.

He said AI can be useful for research, idea development and project planning, comparing it to an assistant that helps creators manage complex creative workflows. While acknowledging concerns over copyright and the use of artists’ work in AI training models, he said discussions often become polarised and fail to address broader questions about creativity and originality.

“There’s more to being original than whether someone uses a particular tool.. “Sometimes people spend more time arguing about AI than creating art.”

Nuan also said independent artists today have more opportunities than ever before, citing the growth of creator markets, self-publishing platforms and direct engagement with audiences. He argued that technology should not be viewed solely as a threat, but as one of many tools available to creators.

A second-year Digital Arts student at Sripatum University shared a different perspective.

She said AI could be useful for research and visual references but opposed artwork generated entirely by artificial intelligence.

She added that many artists remain concerned that their work may be used without permission to train AI systems and that stronger protections for creators are still needed.

Meanwhile, a lecturer at Sripatum University who creates character merchandise based on African pygmy hedgehogs described AI as another tool that can assist with planning and organising creative projects.

“I see it as part of technological development,” the lecturer said. “Each creator can decide how they want to use it.”

The differing perspectives reflected a wider debate unfolding across creative industries as artists continue to navigate the opportunities offered by AI while grappling with concerns over originality, authorship and intellectual property rights.

Reporting and photos by Tanawan Jitsopa