Category: The Bangkok Post

More leading brands are now on board with Central Department Store in evolving its annual watch fair, enriching the variety from three-hand models to sophisticated timepieces.

The latest releases were worn by celebrities led by actor Harit Buayoi at the grand opening of the Central International Watch Fair 2025, held on Oct 1 at Central Chidlom, aka The Store Of Bangkok.

The renovated second floor include the whimsically-named Watch Watch zone, which serves as the main venue for exploring the novelties.

Harit wore the Grand Seiko SLGW007 with a textured navy-blue dial and matching strap evoking the bark of a white birch tree bathed in moonlight.

From the Evolution 9 collection, the stainless steel dress watch is powered by a hand-wound high-beat movement (36,000 vibrations per hour or 10 beats per second), which assures accuracy and a generous power reserve of up to 80 hours.

Grand Seiko doubled its presence with a counter at the Watch Watch department and a pop-up exhibition at the Atrium on the ground floor. Under the concept “Feel The Nature Of Grand Seiko”, the exhibition presents exquisite timepieces, inspired by Japan’s seasonal beauty and landscape.

Frederique Constant has reinterpreted its Classic Tourbillon Manufacture in a white gold case and an aventurine dial for a limited edition of 36 pieces. The tourbillon spins inside the “Heart Beat” window at 6 o’clock while the self-winding movement is revealed by the transparent caseback.

Redesigned models include Longines PrimaLuna with refined case proportions and a new date display in the moon phase complication. The new collection includes a self-winding model with a mother-of-pearl dial in a Celestial Blue shade and a bezel set with blue sapphires in a subtle gradation of hues and sizes.

Japanese brand Orient Star has also refreshed the moon phase display on the Mechanical Classic M45 with a motif made from mother of pearl. The dial has a stamped pattern expressing the beauty of the M45 Pleiades star cluster, and a monotone gradation transitioning from grey in the centre to black on the outer edge.

Casio transferred the Japanese art of hammering to G-Shock MR-G, with master tsuiki artisan Kazuya Watanabe crafting a relief pattern on the bezel and bracelet, making each timepiece unique. The artistry is complemented by the execution on DAT55G, a special alloy that is three times harder than pure titanium. Moreover, this extra-hard metal material is finished with a diamond-like carbon, or DLC, coating for enhanced scratch- and abrasion-resistance.

The watchmaking at Oris employs a material made from carbon fibre using an additive manufacturing and moulding technique. As light as plastic and yet stronger than most metals, the innovative carbon-fibre composite is used to make the case of the ProPilot Altimeter Mission Control — a collab between Oris and the Bamford Watch Department.

The ProPilot Altimeter is the only watch in the world to house a “Swiss Made” automatic mechanical movement alongside a mechanical altimeter that can relay readings up to 6km.

The Swiss brand also launched the Oris Big Crown Calibre 113 featuring a business calendar at the Central International Watch Fair 2025.

Seiko debuted a limited edition of 500 pieces in partnership with Thai product design company PDM, with its signature stride pattern in navy blue adorning the dial of Seiko Prospex.

During the watch fair, The Citizen will celebrate its 30th anniversary and introduce two models, exclusively available at Central Chidlom.

Under Central Retail, Central Department Store has dedicated the Luxury Watch Week to showcasing exceptional timepieces.

Blancpain, Bulgari and Omega as well as Cortina Watch participated in the first round of the Luxury Watch Week. The second round scheduled from Oct 17-19 will present a selection from Pendulum — the authorised retailer of various luxury and independent watch brands.

Likewise the three-day Distinguished Brand Showcase starting from Oct 31 will introduce new participants with a rich heritage.

Rudis Sylva dates way back to 1384, while Charles Girardier is named after a master watchmaker active in Geneva from the second half of the 18th century to the early 19th century.

Cuervo y Sobrinos is the only luxury watch brand with a Latin legacy, as it was born in Havana in 1882. Seven years later, Doxa was established in Le Locle, Switzerland’s cradle of watchmaking.

While founded in 2019, BA111OD is rooted in more than 250 years of the Baillod family’s horological heritage in NeuchStel.

The Central International Watch Fair 2025 will also feature Austrian maison Carl Suchy and Söhne in an exclusive workshop on Nov 2. Owner Robert Punkenhofer will trace the history back to 1822 and update on the revival since 2017.

Arpichaya Yubol shot a bogey-free eight-under-par 64 on Thursday to take a one-stroke lead after the opening round of the LPGA Shanghai tournament.

The 23-year-old Thai had four birdies on each of the front and back nines on the par-72 Qizhong Garden Golf Club.

Minjee Lee, who won the Women’s PGA Championship in June for her third major title, was in a group of five, a stroke behind. Thai world No.1 Jeeno Thitikul, Jenny Shin, Jenny Bae and Ina Yoon also shot 65s.

Another Thai Patty Tavatankit hit a 69 to share 17th place with nine other players while defending champion Yin Ruoning of China shot a 71.

Lee said she navigated the difficult bumpy greens at Qizhong as best she could with her broomstick-style putter. Most of the greens are brown and patchy due to the extreme heat and humidity of Shanghai.

“I feel like with how the greens are, the conditions, I managed pretty well to make, what, seven birdies, so it was a nice day for me,” the Australian said.

The Shanghai event is the first of five tournaments in Asia. There are two weeks in South Korea, including the International Crown team event, and other tournaments in Malaysia and Japan.

Last week, Hwang You-Min extended the incredible streak on the LPGA of having different winners at each of the 25 official tournaments this year. Hwang was the sixth player from South Korea to win on the LPGA this year.

In Japan, Ryder Cup teammates Xander Schauffele and Collin Morikawa were both four shots off the lead after yesterday’s opening round of the US PGA Tour’s Baycurrent Classic, as they struggled to cope with windy conditions.

The American duo both carded level-par 71s at the Yokohama Country Club, less than two weeks after playing in the USA’s defeat to Europe at Bethpage Black in New York.

Americans Max Greyserman, Bud Cauley and Brian Campbell shared the lead after shooting four-under 67.

A typhoon is lurking off the coast of Japan and players had to deal with blustery conditions, despite tee times being moved earlier to avoid the worst of the weather.

Schauffele, who won gold at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, hit three birdies but also carded three bogeys, including one on the final hole.

Morikawa, who won this tournament in 2023 when it was called the Zozo Championship, damaged a promising round with bogeys on the 15th and 16th before birdieing the 17th.

Cauley said it was tough to deal with the conditions but was satisfied with his bogey-free round.

“The winds were difficult, just trying to manage that,” said the 35-year-old.

“I felt like I hit a lot of good shots, made a couple of putts, and it was nice not to make any bogeys on a day like today, that was difficult.”

The Baycurrent Classic is the only US PGA Tour event currently staged in Asia.

It was previously known as the Zozo Championship and first held in 2019 when Tiger Woods was the inaugural champion. Matsuyama won it in 2021.

Some 101 hawksbill sea turtle hatchlings have been hatched at Koh Talu Beach in Bang Saphan Noi district of Prachuap Khiri Khan, according to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation.

This followed over two months of close monitoring after a turtle laid 155 eggs on Aug 14.

Ekarit Duangmala, chief of Ao Siam National Park, said 101 successfully hatched, representing a 65% survival rate and indicating significant progress in marine conservation.

“This is an excellent sign for ongoing efforts to restore the sea turtle population in the area. The remaining eggs comprised 19 spoiled eggs and 29 unfertilised ones … while six hatchlings died shortly after birth.”

The hatchlings are being cared for by the Siam Marine Resources Rehabilitation Foundation before they are released into the sea.

Delta Electronics (Thailand) Plc shares slide the most in four months after the stock exchange imposed market surveillance measures on the securities following their record-breaking rally.

The stock declined as much as 11%, the most since June 4, before trimming losses to trade down 10% at 10.25am.

Shares in Delta, Thailand’s most valuable publicly traded company, can no longer be used as collateral in the calculation of credit lines, and investors must pay the full amount of cash prior to trading the securities, according to the first-level measures imposed by the Stock Exchange of Thailand. The restrictions take effect from Friday through Oct 30, the bourse said in a statement Thursday.

‘We expect share selloffs’ as that was the result when similar measures were imposed in the past, Citigroup Inc analyst Sureeporn Sirisansaneeyawong in Bangkok wrote in a research note.

Delta Thailand shares had surged 25% this month through Thursday, while the nation’s benchmark SET Index gained just 3.1%. The stock has more than tripled in price from its April low, boosted by optimism over its role as maker of components for artificial-intelligence data centres.

Delta shares slid last November when the exchange also triggered market surveillance measures following a surge in the stock price. The securities fell to a three-year low before rallying.

The company was not aware of any reason for the latest surge in its share price, it said in a statement published Thursday.

Delta shares have been ‘consistently ranking as the most active for several consecutive days,’ the exchange said. The company’s market capitalisation represents almost 15% of Thailand’s equity benchmark index, it said.

A fire broke out in a 38-storey condominium building on Somdet Phra Pin Klao Road in Bangkok Noi district of the capital on Thursday, with multiple occupants trapped inside.

Thick smoke was first seen emerging from the 16th floor of the building, located opposite Pata department store.

Fire crews and rescue teams arrived at the scene at 2pm, with rescuers inside the building helping to evacuate people trapped on various floors.

As of 2.20pm, authorities reported several people remaining inside, mainly on the 17th and 24th floors as well as the balcony of the 33rd floor, a particularly challenging area for rescue operations.

By 2.40pm, two residents trapped in an elevator were rescued without injury, and a foreign man trapped on the 15th floor was safely guided to the ground floor.

At 3pm, officials reported that the fire was under control. Smoke was being ventilated, and rescue personnel continued to check for anyone remaining inside the building.

China logged a welcome uptick in spending on services during the just-concluded eight-day “super Golden Week” public holiday, as the country’s transport hubs handled record numbers of passengers.

Chinese transport authorities logged 2.432 billion passenger trips – a record high and a 6.2% year-on-year increase – during this year’s extended holiday, which combined the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations.

The surge was mainly driven by overlapping demand for tourism and family visits, as well as recent improvements to China’s transport network, the Ministry of Transport said in a statement released on Thursday.

The number of passengers taking rail, air and boat trips rose by 2.6%, 3.4% and 4.2%, respectively, during this year’s Golden Week, with travel concentrated in urban clusters such as the Yangtze River Delta, Pearl River Greater Bay Area and Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the ministry said.

Consumers also spent more than last year during the holiday, data from the State Taxation Administration indicated. Daily average sales revenues in consumption-related industries were up 4.5% year on year, according to the latest value-added tax invoice data, the body said.

Spending on services increased by 7.6% compared with the same period last year, while goods sales grew by a more modest 3.9%, according to the data.

The uptick was largely driven by the fact that this year’s Golden Week was unprecedentedly long, with the longer holiday creating a multiplier effect for service consumption, Minsheng Securities said in a research note on Thursday.

“Meanwhile, unprecedented subsidies (from online platforms and merchants) further fuelled service consumption,” it said, citing Amap’s decision to release 100 million yuan (460 million baht) of coupons every day during the holiday.

Amap – one of China’s leading online navigation tools – is owned by Alibaba Group Holding, which also owns the South China Morning Post.

But the research report also noted that despite the high spending figures, Chinese households remain reluctant to splash out on big-ticket items, instead favouring value-for-money options.

The tax invoice data showed relatively rapid growth in spending on digital products and automobiles compared with last year’s holiday, while demand for tourism, arts, culture and sports activities remained robust. Consumption in the catering sector maintained “steady” growth, the tax administration said.

Sales in key retail and catering industries grew 2.7% year on year during the eight-day holiday period, a slight decline from the 4.5% growth recorded during last year’s holiday, according to data from the Ministry of Commerce.

In the tourism sector, overseas tourism stood out as a highlight. WeChat Pay, a major Chinese digital payment service, reported a 21% year-on-year increase in cross-border payments during the holiday.

Japan, South Korea and Thailand remained the top international destinations for mainland tourists this Golden Week, according to WeChat Pay.

Alipay, another major Chinese digital payment service, said the top five destinations for spending by outbound Chinese tourists via Alipay on Oct 1-3 were Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore.

Greece, Laos, Nepal, Portugal and Turkey saw the fastest growth in Alipay spending by Chinese visitors, the platform said.

Visa-free policies for Chinese citizens in countries including South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand appear to have boosted visitor numbers, with WeChat Pay transactions up 46% year on year in South Korea and 32% in Singapore.

Inbound tourism also showed an upwards trend. During the first five days of the holiday, the average number of inbound tourists using WeChat’s mini apps per day was up over 60% year on year, according to the platform.

Shanghai recorded a seven-fold surge in the number of tax refund applications submitted by foreign tourists compared with last year’s holiday, after authorities expanded the refund programme earlier this year.

Hong Kong residents also took advantage of the holiday to visit the mainland. WeChat Pay HK logged a 120% year-on-year surge in transactions by Hong Kong residents on the mainland during this year’s holiday, with spending on e-commerce services, pet services and courier services rising fastest.

“Many friends and colleagues I know travelled during the holiday, but were quite prudent in spending,” said Julie Zhou, a Guangzhou-based barista in her 20s.

In a graceful evolution of a beloved classic, Longines introduces the newly redesigned PrimaLuna collection-a tribute to femininity, elegance, and the enduring beauty of the moon.

This latest model is housed in a 34-mm polished stainless steel case, its round silhouette echoing the celestial inspiration behind its name. The bezel shimmers with 58 hand-set diamonds, totalling 0.580 carat, delicately framing a silver sunray dial adorned with painted Roman numerals in a soft blue hue.

Marking a first for the PrimaLuna line, the timepiece features a moonphase complication paired with a practical date display, a harmonious blend of romantic design and everyday function. Inside, the exclusive Longines L899.5 calibre powers the watch with mechanical precision. This self-winding movement features a silicon balance spring and a power reserve of up to 72 hours, underscoring the brand’s commitment to technical excellence.

A subtle poetic detail-the crown, shaped like a full moon and engraved with lunar crescents-invites the wearer to engage with the celestial theme on a tactile level. Paired with a sleek stainless steel bracelet and sapphire crystal with multi-layer anti-reflective coating, the PrimaLuna is built to endure, with water resistance up to 3 bar (30 metres).

Longines’ PrimaLuna collection reaffirms that elegance is not static-it evolves, gracefully and eternally. For those who seek timekeeping that reflects both inner strength and refined beauty, this timepiece is a quiet yet powerful statement.

Mister Donut, Thailand’s favourite donut brand for over 40 years and the nation’s No.1 donut leader under Central Restaurants Group (CRG), is setting a new benchmark in Thailand’s donut industry with the launch of its first Mister Donut New Concept Store on the 3rd floor of Central Pinklao.

Under the theme ‘The New Chapter of Mister Donut,’ the brand makes a bold transformation to present a fresher, more modern image that resonates with today’s lifestyle-driven consumers.

The new concept embodies Mister Donut’s vision to go beyond being just a donut store, evolving into a true lifestyle destination through three key pillars:

Freshly Made Every Day – premium donuts crafted daily for the finest taste and quality.

Japanese Crafted Quality – meticulous attention to detail, from ingredient selection to product design.

Experience-First Store – an immersive space where customers can enjoy the brand’s philosophy, ‘Every Bite, A Japanese Story.’

Exclusively available at this flagship store, customers can indulge in premium-crafted menus that showcase the essence of quality and creativity:

Bomboloni – Mister Donut’s first-ever Italian-style donut, soft and fluffy with a buttery aroma and indulgent fillings.

Premium Pon De Ring – a reinvention of the brand’s iconic favourite, elevated with refined ingredients and artisanal decoration.

White Pon De Ring Matcha – a Japanese-inspired creation combining chewy white pon de ring dough with matcha for a refined flavour balance.

Premium Cake Donut – rich and moist chocolate cake donuts generously topped for a truly satisfying bite.

Premium Yeast Donut – a new recipe offering enhanced softness, fluffy texture, and indulgent toppings while preserving Mister Donut’s signature taste.

Enhancing the experience further is the Pairing Experience, where customers can complement their donuts with exclusive beverages from Arigato, available only at this location. Highlights include the Coconut Slushy with 100% Japanese Matcha and the signature Matcha Latte, both crafted to enhance every indulgent bite.

The launch of the Mister Donut New Concept Store marks not only a refreshed brand image but also the beginning of a new chapter. It reaffirms the brand’s commitment to delivering ‘Little happiness in every bite’ through a modern, premium space and exclusive offerings that elevate the donut experience.

Visit the new Mister Donut Concept Store today at Central Pinklao, 3rd Floor, and follow Mister Donut Thailand on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for updates and promotions.

Severe flooding has submerged 11 districts in Ayutthaya province, affecting more than 46,000 households, with Bang Ban district described as looking like a vast lake.

The flooding followed the Chao Phraya Dam in Chai Nat province maintaining its discharge rate at 2,300 cubic metres per second, sending large volumes of water downstream into the Chao Phraya River and its tributaries. Although water levels in some areas have begun to fall by 5-10 centimetres, many communities remain under water.

The Ayutthaya Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office reported on Friday that 11 districts – Sena, Phak Hai, Bang Ban, Bang Sai, Bang Pa-in, Tha Rua, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Maha Rat, Bang Pahan, Ban Phraek and Nakhon Luang – have been affected.

A total of 46,273 households have suffered from the floods, which have claimed eight lives in Sena, Bang Ban and Bang Sai districts. Thirty-three schools, two mosques and 38 temples have been submerged, while 58 community roads have become impassable. Around 390 rai of farmland – mostly rice paddies and other crops – have been damaged.

In Bang Ban district alone, floodwaters have covered 101 villages across 16 tambons, affecting 6,425 households. Many homes and communities along the Chao Phraya River and nearby canals remain inundated.

Although the water has started to recede, many areas are still under two to three metres of water. Some homes are flooded to their floors, while others are almost half-submerged.

Local roads have turned into waterways, forcing residents to use boats to travel in and out of their communities. Aerial images show entire communities in Bang Ban resembling a vast lake.

Residents said water levels have started to recede slightly, but they remain anxious as continued rainfall and high-volume discharges from upstream have kept large areas under water.

Foreign data centre operators eager to expand their businesses to Thailand can start buying clean power under the state’s direct power purchase agreement (PPA) scheme in December of this year, says the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).

Authorities are keen to launch a pilot direct PPA scheme because it facilitates trade between power companies and their clients, which is a key factor for investors considering development of data centres in Thailand.

Peer-to-peer power trade in the renewables category remains banned in the country, but under a direct PPA, power producers can directly sell electricity to buyers.

Later this month, data centre operators will be given details of the direct PPA, including electricity prices and trade regulations, before the scheme is approved by the Energy Policy Administration Committee next month for a launch in December, said Poonpat Leesombatpiboon, secretary-general of the ERC.

“A public hearing is being held from Oct 3-10, with adjustments expected later for investment issues,” he said.

Participants in the direct PPA must be data centre operators granted investment incentives from the Board of Investment (BoI).

Many investors have applied for the investment privileges. Between 2022 and 2024, up to 27 data centre and cloud services projects were submitted to the board for approval, according to the BoI.

Implementation of the direct PPA scheme, with power generation capacity of 2 gigawatts, will extend beyond the Eastern Economic Corridor, as officials seek locations with adequate renewable energy generation and transmission infrastructure to support the initiative, said Mr Poonpat.

Solar energy will be prioritised for the scheme due to its lower generation costs compared to other renewable sources, said ERC deputy secretary-general Kan Saengruang.

Clean electricity prices under the scheme should not be different from those under direct PPA schemes in Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines, he said.

The Thai government plans to pilot the direct PPA scheme for a few years before expanding it to other industries, including printed circuit boards, electronics, and electric vehicles, all of which need clean energy to run their businesses.