She started as a doodle at a charity event in Hong Kong's Victoria Park in 2006, and now she's the face of a global designer-toy empire. Molly — blonde hair, huge eyes, that famous pout — is marking two decades with the Molly 20th Anniversary Exhibition – Bangkok, running at Chulalongkorn University Centenary Park until Sunday. The show is organised by Pop Mart International, Pop Mart Thailand and the Tourism Authority of Thailand under the theme "The Little Galaxy – A Journey Through The Universe Off Time".
The exhibition traces the whole arc of the character. Visitors enter through a black tunnel filled with artist Kenny Wong's white sketches and drawings, emerging past a colourful painting of the very first Little Painter Molly figure. Highlights include a room recreating Wong's studio — paint-splattered walls, a big wooden desk, art supplies — plus a spotlight zone with a cosmic atmosphere showing the Space Molly figure sent into space last year (there's even a bearded male version, the only one of its kind), and an animated silhouette of Molly moving back and forth by the window.
What makes the Bangkok edition special is the Thai collaboration section — something Wong had never done before, despite visiting Thailand often. Three Thai artists were invited: contemporary artist Phannapast "Yoon" Taychamaythakool, 2022 CIC Craft Station winner Taweewat Hiranyabaht, and lacquer craft specialist Chalermchai Juadloy. Yoon painted a Royal Molly figure using traditional Thai lacquerware techniques with chirk (dayasi) patterns, achieved under a royal initiative from the reign of King Rama V. Hiranyabaht contributed a piece inspired by inner peace and balance, while Chalermchai applied traditional lacquer to a Royal Molly. Wong says he enjoyed watching them bring Thai techniques to the character, and hopes Molly and dayasi craft inspire younger generations.
Because so many large sculptures sit outside in the park, the event is considered semi-outdoor — and Wong loves it that way. "The space opens up and lets the light come in, creating a natural flow between outside and inside," he said. Sections run chronologically: 2006–2009 ("Hi, Molly"), 2010–2015 ("The Second Round"), 2016–2026 ("A Wondrous Adventure"), plus the Galaxy zone, a "Me and Molly" scene and more.
There's real fan-service too. Angry Molly, Space Molly and Royal Molly figures can be viewed and photographed free of charge outdoors. Wong also shared a charming reflection on the milestone: he now believes Molly has more fans than he does, and that the two have grown up together. He's not chasing toy trends either — for him, trends come and go, but a classic stays, and creating something classic is the goal.
Tickets cost 300–400 baht for the indoor area, with outdoor displays free. The park sits between Soi Chula 5 and Soi Chula 9. For anyone visiting Bangkok with even a passing interest in designer toys, street art or Thai craft traditions, this is a rare chance to see a global collectible icon reinterpreted through local artisanship — and it's only on until Sunday.
