Trying the cakes and  coffee on offer in the many cafés around Sukhumvit 24, Chaturada Dhanasobhon, a Silpakorn University arts graduate, always felt something was missing. Her friends agreed, and they knew what it was: The chocolate hit. They decided to pool their money - several million baht - to open Kakao Cafe opposite Starbucks.

"I want to build a love for chocolate in this culture. I'm trying to persuade people to give chocolate as a gift for special occasions," says Chaturada.

From next Wednesday, chocolate lovers will be able to settle back in Kakao's air-conditioned interior or on the balcony, and indulge their craving with a variety of cakes, pastries and tarts that Chaturada has created.

When HRH Princess Siribha Chudhabhorn learned that her old school chum and fellow Silpakorn graduate was about to open a shop with a chocolate theme, she graciously offered to design a special chocolate sculpture, "The Sweet Zodiac", for Chaturada to auction for charity.

The Sweet Zodiac has twelve separate circular confections, one for each month, printed with the Lanna astrological star signs. It's finished off with gold leaf and a flag motif.

"There are 99 pieces, each with its own number on the box. The Princess has selected nine auspicious numbers, 1, 5, 8, 9, 12, 24, 60, 80 and 99 to be auctioned," says Chaturada, "the rest will be sold at Bt4,999 each."

Each selected number has a special significance - for example, five for the birthday of His Majesty the King and eight for the birthday of the Princess.

Eight of the sculptures are being auctioned on the Internet now.

The bidding starts at Bt4,999 and the auction will close next Tuesday. The ninth, number 99, will be auctioned at the grand opening for the cafe on Wednesday. The Princess has also donated two paintings by nationally renowned artist Preecha Thaothong to the auction.

"All proceed from the auction will go to support the princess' projects to help build houses for those suffering in the aftermath of natural disasters and to renovate Tarathip Chaipradit temple in Chiang Mai province," Chaturada promises.

For special occasions the Chaturada is happy to organise parties, plus there are gifts on sale.

Those who want to enter the auction for a chocolate sculpture or the paintings should go to www.weloveshopping.com or call (02) 900 9999.

Juthamas  Cholthavornpong

The Nation