Bangkok’s CentralWorld Reopens Today

[rheinwiese]

Just came back from CTW.

Well, half of the shops are still under renovation/construction.

What remains is not much. Can't see the announced 80%.

Food hall on the 7th floor is fully open.

But many restaurants are still closed.

For the burger lovers- sadly Triple O is gone.

Now you get shushi there instead.

After all, some new shops, new lightning design, but the rest more or less same same.

No surprises.

[rubl]

please don't talk bad about the red's as they are part of the REAL elected Thai gov. thank you

Yes, don't talk bad about these "peaceful protesters, not terrorists"

[Tanaka]

please don't talk bad about the red's as they are part of the REAL elected Thai gov. thank you

Are you for real? Or just plain stupid? Wether the red terrorists had been part of an elected government or not, is not the issue. That they rampaged and held hostage parts of the capital for weeks and were the cause of over 90 people killed, is the issue. Your blatantly misinformed comment is unbelievable. And pathetic.

[dru2]

In a Western country - or in China - it would never have been permitted to happen in the first place.

I am assuming you are either a westerner or a chinese. Either way, would be good if you left this attitude back home (wherever that is) before you come to Thailand. The west and china have their traditions just as all countries have theirs. In some countries public anger is not managed well, for various reasons that a visiting tourist carrying a baggage of blinkers may never perceive, let alone understand. In China, public anger is not allowed. You have your Tiananmen. Try to boast about that. Or, try to boast about the cops that kicked a frustrated black in Los Angeles. Talk of anger management. Maybe the mismanagement of Katrina Hurricane victims' funds might help you think about those that are victimised. In short, it's better not to gloat about your own elitism in comparison with others. Underneath our clothes we all have our warts.

You are correct in assuming that I am a Westerner. But that doesn't mean I should not be allowed to suggest that the Thai authorities were slow and incompetent. As for 'gloating about my own elitism' - please grow up.

[webfact]

CentralWorld reopening a boost for Rajprasong

By KWANCHAI RUNGFAPAISARN

THE NATION

Retail tenants and shopping malls in the Rajprasong area of Bangkok have expressed strong confidence about today's reopening of the CentralWorld shopping complex, which is expected to attract business to the downtown shopping district and have a significant positive impact on retailers' fourth-quarter performance.

CentralWorld had been closed for half a year as a result of the prolonged anti-government rally in the area, which culminated in the arson attack and severe fire damage to the premises in May.

Today's reopening is the first step in a phased process, with the full reopening scheduled for later this year.

Sucheep Tamacheepjareon, vice president - light food, Central Restaurants Group (CRG), said that after the mall's long closure, the reopening of CentralWorld should result in a stronger performance by the company in the final quarter.

Prior to the rioting, CRG operated five branded restaurants at CentralWorld; Mister Donut, Cold Stone Creamery, Auntie Anne's, KFC and Pepper Lunch,

"Three major restaurants, namely KFC, Auntie Anne's and Cold Stone Creamery, will be reopened along with the reopening of the CentralWorld shopping complex today. The other two stores - Pepper Lunch and Mister Donut - will be reopened in November," said Sucheep.

He said Cold Stone Creamery was the ice-cream brand most affected by the closure of CentralWorld since April 3. "Cold Stone Creamery had just opened its first flagship store at CentralWorld about 10 days before the shopping complex had to be closed by the prolonged demonstrations and unrest in the Rajprasong area. The brand has lost many millions of baht in sales from the store's closure,"said Sucheep.

CRG operates about 500 branded restaurants throughout the country. "As a group, we don't feel any significant impact on our overall performance from the closure of CentralWorld. Once the downtown area of Bangkok was hit by this problem [political unrest], consumers preferred shopping and dining out at suburban malls and restaurants instead [including those CRG operates]," he added.

He also said CentralWorld was carrying out a good number of public relations activities, which would help bring shoppers back to the complex. Moreover, retail outlets generally in the Rajprasong area would also benefit.

Ingrid Rujichaladol, development director of Waraku (Thailand), the local franchisee for Waraku Japanese casual-dining restaurants from Singapore, said the company would open its first two Thai outlets - a Waraku restaurant and a Pasta De Waraku restaurant - on the seventh floor of CentralWorld in December. They will occupy 350 and 130 square metres, respectively.

Regarding the reopening of CentralWorld, Satima Tanabe, deputy general manager of Gaysorn Land Asset Management, the operator of Gaysorn Shopping Centre, said: "We are glad that our neighbour is back. We have been good partners in collaborating to build Rajprasong into an A-listed urban lifestyle community for a long time, and we are both dominant retail centres in the area."

-- The Nation 2010-09-28

[rodcourt49]

Remember...

..I bet you won't see the words FIRE SALE anywhere!

[Lite Beer]

A post containing disrespectful remarks about The Royal Family has been deleted.

[rubl]

Remember...

..I bet you won't see the words FIRE SALE anywhere!

Funny you'd say that. ZEN had a campaign at that time "Turn up the Heat"

Edited September 28, 2010 by rubl

[TheLaughingMan]

There was a white spot burger in CentralWorld?

I tried the Mos burger, not really my thing. But next time I head to Bangkok I will be sure to stop by. Zen was my favorite part of that shopping center tho.

Mos burger is Japanese, White Spot is Western. Very different burgers

[TheLaughingMan]

please don't talk bad about the red's as they are part of the REAL elected Thai gov. thank you

Ha! Funny Troll man, made me laugh, thanks for that.

[animatic]

Just amazing they've got so much rebuilt/reopen already. In a western country the company would still be trying to get a construction/rebuild permit, tied up in court over claims/insurance, etc.

The now re-opened area was mainly damaged by smoke and basically just needed some cleaning and painting. The re-building of the demolished part (Zen) has not yet even started. It´s probably cheaper just to get back in business asap, than to wait for all insurance claims to be paid.

Welcome back Central World! I will definitely go there and spend my money, in order to show my support to the affected shops and my disgust for the red shirt movement!

please don't talk bad about the red's as they are part of the REAL elected Thai gov. thank you

If you are excluding;

the cheating causing PPP dissolution,

and fact no UDD reds were ever elected personally themselves in ANY ELECTION.

inclduing Jatuporn, being PPP party list, so not actually standing for election.

But lets not quibble on facts.

[dude007]

Remember...

This ladies parking area takes my particular attention. Is it because ladies need way much more space to park a car than men or is it for safety reasons, cared to be attacked in the parking...??? Anyone can lighten me?

[farangpattaya]

Just amazing they've got so much rebuilt/reopen already. In a western country the company would still be trying to get a construction/rebuild permit, tied up in court over claims/insurance, etc.

Don't forget why CW was set to fire in the first place.

Wasn't/Isn't the owner one of the bigger sponsors of the PAD and probably holder of a high ranked position somewhere?

[Kilgore Trout]

Anyone know if the White Spot burger place has re opened?????

I went up there at 10am looking for it...it was gone or not re-opened. The food area itself was still half done and there was a lot of acrid smoke as someone seemed to have cranked up an oven with a plastic cover still on it. I hope White Spot comes back.

What does the name white spot mean? Are blacks not allowed or does it cause you to leave a "white spot" when you have finished? Good thing its not called red spot

[hawksway]

Amazing what the Private Sector can do while Government engages in the past times of argument and sleep

[barney42bb]

Just amazing they've got so much rebuilt/reopen already. In a western country the company would still be trying to get a construction/rebuild permit, tied up in court over claims/insurance, etc.

i think it's laughable you compare thai construction and opening times to western... i don't know about your country, but in america they put up a building in a 1/10th or even 1/100th the time it takes the thai to put up a similar venue.

[ianbaggie]

Hahahaha is right - the red shirts/Thai lac party - legally elected??? hahaha - thaksins puppets without a brain cell between - all they can do is hide black shirt terrorists amongst their ranks - fire grenades at innocent shoppers - what a GREAT Government theyd make!!! Thaksin had to be forced and thrown out of power by the army because he was funneling BILLIONS of Baht into his holding company from tax payers money. Thats why the Bangkok elite HATE the red shirt movement so much - because they STOLE so much from them - sure he gave a few pennies to keep the Udom peasants and the wifes family in Chiang Mai happy!! Not much good about the red shirt movement - thats VERY clear to see!! Also - the poster who said it wouldnt happen anywhere else - you were right to say it wouldnt happen anywhere else - can you imagine if a group of terrorists held up Times Sq or the center of London or Paris?? Its a shame Thailand was never colonised!!! They might have a brain if they haqd of been.

[barney42bb]

Yes but this a minor Asia country, reliant on funds from the western world to achieve it for them..along with the cheap exploited Burmese(Blue Shirted) workforce.

Anyway they have done well...to achieve completion in time for thye coming high season..whereby the Red Shirts can wreak havoc...by burning/ransacking it and other venues.

That will give the Thai tourism industry another boost.

[Shotime]

Great hockey video. Philadelphia Flyers. In the Broad Street Bullies' days, the fight would never have lasted that long.

Thai politics only confuses me as far as who's who. I try to stay away from discussions about it cause there are too many players on the government level. It seems simple enough, but there are many curve balls to contend with. I coulda played in the majors, but I couldn't hit the curve ball.

[ianbaggie]

You see - that arrogance is there all the time from some Thais - think theyre the elite of the world never done anything except grow rice and turn their daughters into bar girls. What other country openly BOASTS of having different prices for foreigners and their own citizens - if we did that in London wed be called RACIST!! What other country do you get stopped by the police and openly asked for a bribe - T.I.T, F.A.T!!! I did the sensible thing - married a Thai lady took her back to UK and now she says she never wants to go home again!! says it all really!!

In a Western country - or in China - it would never have been permitted to happen in the first place.

I am assuming you are either a westerner or a chinese. Either way, would be good if you left this attitude back home (wherever that is) before you come to Thailand. The west and china have their traditions just as all countries have theirs. In some countries public anger is not managed well, for various reasons that a visiting tourist carrying a baggage of blinkers may never perceive, let alone understand. In China, public anger is not allowed. You have your Tiananmen. Try to boast about that. Or, try to boast about the cops that kicked a frustrated black in Los Angeles. Talk of anger management. Maybe the mismanagement of Katrina Hurricane victims' funds might help you think about those that are victimised. In short, it's better not to gloat about your own elitism in comparison with others. Underneath our clothes we all have our warts.

[jfchandler]

Re insurance, there was a news report a couple weeks back quoting the ceo of the company that owns Central World, saying they had yet to receive insurance settlement as yet, and that he was hopeful it would happen by the end of 2010 or into 2011...

I'd be very interested to know the outcome of that case...

[draftvader]

Anyone know if the White Spot burger place has re opened?????

The most important question of all. First one in PLEASE report back. Cheers.

[jimbeam1]

Hi All,

We went past there yesterday. Didn't look about to open to me. From the B.T.S, it was still a burnt out shell. All the glass front was removed, so could see inside, nothing but a burnt out shell?????

jb1

[whybother]

Hi All,

We went past there yesterday. Didn't look about to open to me. From the B.T.S, it was still a burnt out shell. All the glass front was removed, so could see inside, nothing but a burnt out shell?????

jb1

The front area (ie ZEN) which was destroyed is planning on opening next year (I think it's in the OP).

[Suradit]

Just amazing they've got so much rebuilt/reopen already. In a western country the company would still be trying to get a construction/rebuild permit, tied up in court over claims/insurance, etc.

In a Western country - or in China - it would never have been permitted to happen in the first place.

Yes. There's never any riots or property damage in Western (farang-fortified) countries:

A thousand police officers are being deployed in the suburbs of Paris, after seven consecutive nights of rioting.

The officers will be stationed in Seine-Saint-Denis, north-east of Paris. Half of the department's 40 towns were affected by violence last night ... shots were fired at police and firefighters, while gangs besieged a police station, set fire to a car showroom and threw petrol bombs.

At least 177 cars were also set alight. On Thursday night, 1,000 police will be stationed near car showrooms, shopping centres and government buildings in Seine-Saint-Denis.

http://news.bbc.co.u...ope/4404362.stm

The riots that erupted in Brixton, London were some of the worst the UK has ever seen. ... When all was said and done, 279 police and 45 civilians were injured, over one hundred cars were burned, 150 buildings were damaged and thirty were torched.

http://brainz.org/riots/

Edited September 28, 2010 by Suradit

[HereIAm]

In a Western country - or in China - it would never have been permitted to happen in the first place.

I am assuming you are either a westerner or a chinese. Either way, would be good if you left this attitude back home (wherever that is) before you come to Thailand. The west and china have their traditions just as all countries have theirs. In some countries public anger is not managed well, for various reasons that a visiting tourist carrying a baggage of blinkers may never perceive, let alone understand. In China, public anger is not allowed. You have your Tiananmen. Try to boast about that. Or, try to boast about the cops that kicked a frustrated black in Los Angeles. Talk of anger management. Maybe the mismanagement of Katrina Hurricane victims' funds might help you think about those that are victimised. In short, it's better not to gloat about your own elitism in comparison with others. Underneath our clothes we all have our warts.

You are correct in assuming that I am a Westerner. But that doesn't mean I should not be allowed to suggest that the Thai authorities were slow and incompetent. As for 'gloating about my own elitism' - please grow up.

I fully agree that you, like all else, have a right to "suggest that the Thai authorities were slow and incompetent." I felt that way myself at the start of the mayhem. But, as things unfolded, we could see that there was a different way that the Thais went about that terrible problem of April-May 2010. We saw it all :- they allowed the protesters to stay in the hope of winning a peaceful resolution, they provided medical support and sanitation. Remember how even the closed malls allowed the reds unrestricted use of toilets ? Now compare this with how other countries would have reacted in a similar situation.

In Malaysia they gassed and hosed out a protest last year, if you happen to know. So you are right in a different way that in the west or in China this wouldn't have been allowed to happen in the first place. But you, like so many, ignore the fact that this is Thailand. This is one of the very few places in the world where the government approaches political confrontations with domestic peace as the main objective. They try their best to avoid confrontation. It's been that way throughout Thai history. Viewed through western eyes you would see it as irrational, or pusillanimous, or just plain absurd.

But I believe the rest of the world has something to learn from the Thai way. And that can happen only if you leave your baggage home and desist from gloating about the "superior" standards of the west or the iron-handed ways of China. Funny you bracketed them together.

[rubl]

Yes. There's never any riots or property damage in Western (farang-fortified) countries:

A thousand police officers are being deployed in the suburbs of Paris, after seven consecutive nights of rioting.

The officers will be stationed in Seine-Saint-Denis, north-east of Paris. Half of the department's 40 towns were affected by violence last night ... shots were fired at police and firefighters, while gangs besieged a police station, set fire to a car showroom and threw petrol bombs.

At least 177 cars were also set alight. On Thursday night, 1,000 police will be stationed near car showrooms, shopping centres and government buildings in Seine-Saint-Denis.

http://news.bbc.co.u...ope/4404362.stm

The riots that erupted in Brixton, London were some of the worst the UK has ever seen. ... When all was said and done, 279 police and 45 civilians were injured, over one hundred cars were burned, 150 buildings were damaged and thirty were torched.

http://brainz.org/riots/

I'm sure there are some idiots ... uh, uh, distinguished fellow members who'd love to point out that at least it was the police involved and not the Army

[overhaul38]

Just amazing they've got so much rebuilt/reopen already. In a western country the company would still be trying to get a construction/rebuild permit, tied up in court over claims/insurance, etc.

Thailand does seem to be able to grease the bureaucratic maze.

[HereIAm]

You see - that arrogance is there all the time from some Thais - think theyre the elite of the world never done anything except grow rice and turn their daughters into bar girls. What other country openly BOASTS of having different prices for foreigners and their own citizens - if we did that in London wed be called RACIST!! What other country do you get stopped by the police and openly asked for a bribe - T.I.T, F.A.T!!! I did the sensible thing - married a Thai lady took her back to UK and now she says she never wants to go home again!! says it all really!!

Your post illustrates your own arrogance, if you think Thais "never done anything except grow rice and turn their daughters into bar girls."

I would like to know the politest way you would describe all the farangs that come to Thailand to patronise this particular endeavour that you refer to. Just get real, for a change and stop viewing this part of the world through your western political prism. That's strictly for the west. You know it yourself. Isn't that the reason all those hordes of western men keep coming here to "play freely" without the rules of the west to curb them ? Where else would they get to live out their fantasies ?

As for different prices for foreigners, how many really complain ? You know fully well it is adequately compensated by the other facilities and pleasures that are available at a wee fraction of your dollar prices back home. And it's top quality -- often better than what you get in the west . It is why they all keep cumming here. Yeah, you read it right. And besides, if you do not like the "different prices" here you are free not to buy. Right ?

Edited September 28, 2010 by HereIAm

[jfchandler]

Is this a post about CentralWorld partially reopening???

I must have taken a turn down the wrong street...