Joel Quenby reveals bangkok’s latest news and views

SCREEN SIREN CELEBRATED

Her Royal Highness (HRH) Princess Ubol Rattana presented French actress Catherine Deneuve with a Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s Bangkok Film Festival 2006.

The 62-year-old star, whose screen credits include Belle de Jour and Dancer In e Dark, was among a host of famous names at the week-long event, including British actor Christopher Lee and American thesp Willem Defoe.

Renowned directors like ex-Monty Python madcap Terry Gilliam and thailand regular Oliver Stone, who previously fi lmed Alexander here, held packed-out “Master Class” seminars. www.bangkok.#64257; lm.org

GOING FOR GOLD

Bangkok’s new international gateway, Suvarnabhumi Airport is set to open for commercial service in late June. Dubbed the “Pride of thailand”, the name means “golden land” and was chosen by the Kingdom’s beloved King Bhumibol.

Featuring more than three times the land area of Japan’s Narita International Airport, as well as the highest control tower in the world, political and aviation leaders hope that the airport will heighten thailand’s international presence.

As if to symbolise its reaching-for-the-skies ambition, the airport recently hosted a new world record single mass free-fall parachute jump, with 500 thai and 460 foreign sky-divers from 31 countries taking part. this amazing spectacle was part of thailand’s Diamond Jubilee 2006 celebrations, which mark the 60th anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumbibol’s accession to the throne. www.suvarnabhumiairport.com and www.tourismthailand.org

CITY STYLE

Aiming to spotlight local talent, the annual Bangkok Fashion Week 2006 (www.bangkokfashionweek2006.com) sashayed into the Queen Sirikit Convention Centre, featuring trade displays, seminars and a showcase of design school graduates, as well as the usual catwalk shows.

According to Ponlawat Sukjarus, executive producer of AV Projects, the event’s co-organisers, many emerging thai brands – like Senada Theory, Tube Gallery, and Grey by Greyhound “have been recognised by international fashion communities”.

Setting a fine example is Kit-Ti Jewelry, self-made local darlings of unique fashion accessories, who this year exhibited under the theme “Labyrinth of Diva”. their imaginative mix ’n’ match creations have been featured in infl uential publications like Wallpaper UK and Time Asia. Kit-Ti’s Gallery @ Baan Silom, Silom 19, www.kittijewelry.com

DREAM-BOAT LAUNCH

Manohra Cruises, winners of the Best ASEAN New Tourist Attraction 2005 Award, recently added a 20m converted rice barge, the Manohra Dream, to their fl eet of luxury dining vessels.

Reigning Miss Universe, Natalie Glebova, who won her title in the Kingdom in 2005, lunched on Manohra Dream’s debut commercial voyage.

The boat, along with the smaller Manohra Song, offers exclusive fi ve-star overnight voyages and private charters. www.manohracruises.com

BANGKOK ROCKS

With 40,000 attendees over the exciting event’s two days, the inaugural Bangkok 100 Rock Festival was a resounding success, according to co-organiser Dave Maclean.

A slew of Brit-rock favourites took to the outdoor stage at Lakeside Impact Arena. Ian Brown, attired in a shocking pink tracksuit, performed a handful of old Stone Roses hits; the Scottish princes of new wave Franz Ferdinand thrilled fans with an energetic display; while relative newcomers, Snow Patrol also impressed.

Headliners Oasis had apparently been looking forward to their trip to the Far East: “I’ve only been to thailand once before, in 2002,” said guitarist Gem Archer, “and it was mega! We had a bit of time off on the beach in Phuket and took a boat to James Bond Island. then, we obviously had a night out in Bangkok, which was wild.” www.bkk100rock.com

FIFTEEN BILLION BAHT BABY

Khun Supaluck Umpujh is the hardworking Vice Chairman of Siam Paragon, Bangkok’s shopping and entertainment sensation, which opened its doors to eager anticipation a few months ago.

This dynamic businesswoman actually began her career as a lecturer in International Pharmacology, but diversifi ed her fi eld to effectively develop the family-owned retail business, which became the Mall Group over 25 years ago.

Recently, Khun Supaluck was honoured with the celebrated international award as one of the “Leading Women Entrepreneurs of the World 2006.”

“Our family founded a one-stop shopping centre, which rapidly expanded to become a mega establishment known as the Mall,” she says. “A9 er that, we launched the successful high-end shopping complex, the Emporium. then we joined forces with Siam Piwat Co. Ltd. and created the Siam Paragon, which opened in December 2005.”

This innovative 15 billion baht creation is a unique structure spanning 500,000sq m – the largest retail and entertainment complex in Asia – which houses a collection of premium brands. Khun Supaluck is not exaggerating when she describes this new complex as “a real world-class shopping destination”.

Siam Paragon is not just a high-end retail complex but, in fact, it is a city within the city, where your every wish and expectation can be instantly fulfi lled, with different zones dedicated to quality products. Apart from an upscale department store operated by the Mall, there is also world-class entertainment at Siam Opera House for Broadway-style shows; Siam Ocean World, the largest oceanarium in the Southern Hemisphere; 16-screen Cineplex and IMAX theatre; bowling alley; fi tness centre; and 300 world-class exclusive brand-name boutiques.

Siam Paragon has, indeed, set a global standard in Asia.

How did you identify a demand for Siam Paragon?

Time is precious for people with money – you cannot buy time! they like to be in one location where they can fi nd everything they need, especially in busy Bangkok, where it can become difficult to hop from one place to another in one day.

Although you may not wish to buy luxury products every day, you can go to the movies, browse around the gourmet market or enjoy fi ne dining at Siam Paragon. We have created a destination where the whole family can enjoy together, and young people can explore and learn new things.

Siam Paragon is a trendsetter. Before, people went to Hong Kong or Singapore to get updated; now they stay in Bangkok and foreign visitors also come here to enjoy.

Were you happy with the launch?

Yes, it was a great moment for us, not only because it is meant to be a source of pride for the whole of Bangkok, but because we are also set to become “ the Jewel of Asia”.

Our prestigious location, right in the heart of town, is part of the royal park at Sra Pathum Palace, the residence of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

Thailand has long been a popular tourist destination and Siam Paragon – with its quality products and entertainment – will assist in stimulating the country’s economy, especially when the new airport opens to welcome an increase of visitors.

What other plans are in the pipeline?

Siam Paragon is very young – only a few months old. We are concentrating all our efforts on raising our newborn child! We want everything to be perfect, so that it will continue to be our big ongoing project.

How do you spend your free time?

I would love to travel the world! I slip away on weekends to my house in Koh Samui.

If I stay in Bangkok, I’m always working. Even when shopping, I cannot relax because… it’s my job!

When I need a real holiday, I head to South Africa where I have a house that is my hideaway haven. I enjoy spending my free time with nature.

Visit www.siamparagon.co.th

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