BNK48
BNK48 (read B.N.K. Forty-eight) is a Thai idol girl group and the third international sister group of Japan's AKB48, following Indonesia's JKT48 and China's SNH48 (former).
BNK48 | |
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BNK48 at Cat Expo 2017 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Bangkok, Thailand |
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| Years active | 2017–present |
| Labels | independent Artist Management (iAM) |
| Member of | AKB48 Group |
| Members | 42 (list) |
| Past members | 45 (list) |
| Website | bnk48.com |
After holding its first audition in mid-2016 and announcing its first-generation members in early 2017, the group officially debuted on 2 June 2017 and released the debut single, "Yak Cha Dai Phop Thoe", on 8 August 2017. Its second single, "Khukki Siangthai", released on 20 December 2017, was a great success. As of April 2024, the group has 42 members.
The group is named after Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand, where its theatre, BNK48 the Campus, is located. Orchid, a flower popular in the country, serves as both the colour and motif of the group.
BNK48 announced the formation of their first sister group, CGM48 (named after the city of Chiang Mai), on 2 June 2019. CGM48 is the first domestic sister group to be launched outside Japan and second sister group of 48 Group in Thailand.