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Published on October 21, 2007

To celebrate its 60th anniversary, Central is holding an exhibition tracing its path of success over the last six decades. The grand opening on October 12 was presided over by Rear Admiral and Privy Councillor ML Usani Pramoj, and Thanphuying Varaporn Pramoj Na Ayudhya. The event also drew a number of long-time customers including Khunying Rose Boribalburibhand, Ampornpim and Yupapak Vajrabhaya, Ploy Chariyaves, Nakorn Sampantarak, Napaporn Bodhirattanangkul and Boonkiet Chokwatana.

The first chapter of Central started at a small grocery and a coffee shop opened by Tieng Chirathivat who came from Hainan, China, with his wife and their eldest son, Samrit.

Tieng's goal was nothing less than developing what would be the biggest and the most fashionable department store in Thailand. Before too long, his dream would come true.

Taking place at Central Chidlom's Event Hall on the third floor, the 1,400-square-metre exhibition is set up in five zones, each highlighting different facets of Thai society as well as the different stages of business growth of Central as the country's leading retailer.

The entrance was set in an old-style coffee shop and a grocery representing the first phase of Central where participants can enjoy traditional coffee and tea.

The first zone recounts Central Trading's first 12 years on Sri Phraya Road, where it expanded into a bookstore and cloth shop.

In one corner, visitors can admire a book corner displaying magazines that made their mark 60 years ago, among them Burda Mode and Life. The Baan Sala Daeng corner features a mock-up of the Chirathivat family residence, Baan Sala Daeng.

The second zone tells of the continuing growth of Central Department Store, as new branches mushroomed throughout Bangkok. Central Silom was launched in 1968 and was the first air-conditioned store. Products were price-tagged and managed through a modern stock-keeping system. For a while, the store's most popular product was the hula hoop.

Central Silom was also the first department store in Thailand to have a supermarket.

The third zone showcases the company's next milestone - the launch of Central Chidlom, the company's flagship store.

The exhibition also mirrors the trends of the different eras since 1956 through a range of best-selling products including Barbie, Nike Moon Shoes, Sony Walkman, Pac-Man, Rubik's cube, platform shoes and Hello Kitty.

The fourth zone looks at the opening of Central Lat Phrao, which also features a hotel and convention centre. The last zone looks at Central's transformation into a retail conglomerate.

There's also a collection corner displaying items once owned by individuals of note. These include an ivory fork and spoon set that belonged to HRH Princess Somsavali, a pair of sneakers from Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin, a set of tin cars owned by florist Sakul Inthakul, actor Thisadee Sahawong's camera, Panlekha Wanmuang's tea set and comic books owned by journalist Chulita Areepipatkul.

The exhibition runs through November 4.

Tanaporn Tangcharoenmankong,

The Nation