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Published on September 2, 2007

Siam Discovery recently celebrated its 10th anniversary by handing out "Icons of Discovery" awards to 10 outstanding people who received the most votes through Discovery10.com.

ML Chiratorn Chirapravati - who's affectionately known as Kru Toh - is the icon in artist category. His minimalist drawings, which shun sophisticated technique in favour of an easy-going optimism - appear in magazines like Ploy Gaem Phet, Praew and Seventeen and on book covers, cards and T-shirts. His style is immediately recognisable: clean lines, cheerful design, people with round faces in pastel shades.

"My work isn't like cartoons - there's a dream-like effect," he once said during an interview with The Nation.

"I just pick up the simplest forms. My flowers have four oval-shaped petals and people's faces are just round forms. I love the circle because it's born from the shape of the sun and the moon - my sources of energy."

Chiratorn is also a food stylist and a fashion designer, in the latter role producing clothes for a label bearing his name that are sold at his art school at Promenade Decor, Nai Lert Park Bangkok.

Duangrit Bunnag, managing director of Duangrit Bunnag Architect (DBALP) won the award for architect and interior designer. Among his recognised works are the Costa Lanta resort on Krabi's Koh Lanta and H1, a commercial complex on Soi Thonglor that blends simplicity and modernity to create a surprisingly soft effect.

His designs are based on practical, logical and rational needs. He also expanded his passion for minimal modernity to interior decor by opening a home decor shop Anyroom on the fourth floor of Siam Discovery that offering everything from tables and sofas to functional items like mortars and nylon bags.

"I'm not the sort of designer who just conjures up dreamy projects," he says "I like to give people functional and well-designed products."

The lovely Holly Amranand was selected as the icon of beauty. She lives a simple life following the sufficiency theory and gives her children top priority.

Versatile Dolchai Boonyaratavej, president of Brandscape Co, who has a passion for music, art, writing and travelling won the award in the travel and lifestyle category. For more than a decade, he's been jetting around the globe, singing with the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra and acting as lecturer for many universities.

Duangta Nandhakwang of Soda landed the award for Icon of Fashion while Natawut Amornvivat, director of the multimedia solution division of Ericsson (Thailand) got the icon of technology.

Channel 3's Khem-upsorn "Cherry" Sirisukha, who has plenty of experience in the acting, modelling and fashion worlds, was awarded the star icon.

She has just paved her way to a new rosy career as a fashion merchandiser by opening a multi-brand fashion boutique Cloud 9 at Gaysorn.

Tinakorn Asavarak, managing director of Kudo, received the most votes for socialite icon. This veteran organiser has created plenty of amazing events and says he's most proud of the silk fashion show in Sakon Nakhon province, as it provided him with a rare opportunity to work for Her Majesty the Queen. His tip for working is to make every minute worth living and be proud of every job, no matter how small it is.

Yutlert Sippapak, who was named the filmmaker icon, revealed that he was very happy to discover that being a director suited his temperament and his ambitions, as he didn't graduate in the field!

Last but not least, Rika Dila, owner of Cafe Chilli and Rice Cafe, won the award of gourmet specialist icon. She compared Siam Discovery with the flavoursome food - not too pungent but pleasurable for every family member.

A photo exhibition of the 10 icons and another 100 guests will be held soon as part of the mall's celebrations.