If you’re dusting off your travel memories and Bangkok comes to mind, chances are so will the hours you spent browsing through its Central department stores – from the behemoth Central World to Central Chidlom and its up-scale Central Embassy with its glorious tribute to local street food, Eathai.
As soon as travel borders open and Suvarnabhumi Airport beckons, there’s another Central outpost to explore – which doubles as the latest hangout spot in town and a peep into the history of Thailand’s largest retail group.
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Central: The Original Store (CTOS) on Charoenkrung Road in one of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods is a designer-chic five-level shophouse that stands in the exact same spot as the very first Central store which opened in 1950. It marked the retail foray of father-and-son founders Tiang and Samrit Chirathivat, who grew the family’s retail empire into what it is today.
With five floors devoted to shopping, cafe, jazz bar, exhibition space and Thai restaurant by acclaimed chef David Thompson, CTOS is the brainchild of Barom Bhicharnchitr – the grandson/son of the founders.
Ahead, just some of the things you need to know about this new hot spot.