Central Park to unveil first phase Sept 4
Central Park's shopping centre part will be opened, albeit not fully, with the aim of becoming a world-class retail destination at the intersection of Rama VI and Silom.
Spanning 23 rai with 130,000m² in retail space, Central Park aims at bringing together 230 brands alongside a premium office building under the concept 'Here For All Of You'. The project also showcases leading Thai and international fashion brands, as well as globally renowned favourites.
Also intending to be Asia's new culinary landmark, Central Park will house the finest flavours from around the world, including many "firsts-in-Thailand". Expect Michelin Guide restaurants alongside famous Bangkok street food vendors.
The development's pièce de résistance is the 7 rai Roof Park, said to be Thailand's largest elevated green space in the city centre. It aspires to be comparable to world-class parks like Central Park in New York and Hyde Park in London. Hence, the project's name.
Roof Park's highlights include walking and running paths, an outdoor amphitheatre and pet-friendly zones. Also, through the concept of Biophilic Design, Central Park aims to be a tranquil sanctuary that connects people with nature through peaceful surroundings and skyline views. Once completed, Central Park will host exclusive happenings on art, culture, music and drinks.
Also featured is 'Central Park Offices', a one-of-a-kind, highly advanced office building, with 43 floors, designed to provide panoramic views of Lumphini Park. The office building is already open.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Bangkok Post
9 hours ago
- Bangkok Post
US tariff opens 'opportunity' to reorient economy
An economist is urging the government to adopt a three-phase strategy to cushion the impact of the newly-imposed 19% US tariff, warning that while the immediate effect may not be catastrophic, the move exposes deeper structural vulnerabilities. Asst Prof Kiatanantha Lounkaew, of Thammasat University's Faculty of Economics, said on Saturday the tariff, which came into effect on Friday, should not only be seen as a threat but as an opportunity to reorient the economy for long-term resilience. He proposed a phased response to mitigate shocks and drive structural reform. In the short term (0–6 months), he recommended a relief fund be set up by the Finance Ministry and Board of Investment to offer low-interest loans and liquidity support to affected exporters, particularly SMEs. Temporary tax relief and tariff cuts on essential raw materials should also be considered, along with aggressive market diversification into regions such as India, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America, he said. The medium-term plan (6–18 months) should focus on restructuring supply chains, reducing foreign dependency and promoting industries aligned with sustainability goals, he said. New investment incentives must align with global standards like ESG criteria and carbon border taxes, he added. He also stressed the need for workforce upskilling and the integration of digital tools like AI and big data. In the long run (1.5–5 years), Thailand must shift from being a low-cost manufacturing base to a regional hub for high-value services and innovation, he said. This requires robust investment in R&D, patent development and upstream technologies, he added. Asst Prof Kiatanantha also proposed the formation of a Thai-US economic dialogue platform and active engagement in multilateral forums to avoid future trade frictions.
Bangkok Post
a day ago
- Bangkok Post
Adding up the list of Thai concessions
Negotiations with the US that concluded with a 19% tariff on Thai exports were broadly focused on trade concessions. What did Thailand offer to secure the 19% rate? The US reciprocal tariff rate on Thai exports dropped from a threat of 36%, effective starting on Thursday, in exchange for several significant Thai concessions. Thailand proposed eliminating import duties for more than 10,000 items imported from the US (out of roughly 11,000 items in total), mostly consisting of goods that are not produced domestically or are insufficiently produced, such as medical instruments, advanced auto parts, and specialised food products. Thailand also reduced non-tariff barriers, streamlining customs procedures and implementing a "post-clearance audit" system, while simplifying regulations to facilitate US imports. In addition, the country committed to purchase liquefied natural gas from the US, as well as crude oil, ethane, aircraft, and agricultural products that Thailand does not produce or produces insufficiently, such as animal feed corn. The goal is to reduce the trade surplus of more than $35 billion by half within five years. A major focus of the talks was stricter rules of origin, with Thailand adopting more rigorous rules of origin for export products to prevent the country being used to circumvent US tariffs, especially for transshipment of Chinese goods. The US plans to implement its new rules of origin worldwide. The specific details remain unclear, but the US wants to prevent circumvention of import tariffs by third countries. Thailand is also increasing quotas for the import of US corn, while lowering import duties for soybeans. However, Thailand retained tariffs on sensitive products, or those that would impact domestic farmers. In terms of regional security cooperation, Thailand committed to increased efforts, especially regarding de-escalating border tensions with Cambodia. There were no discussions on granting gas concession rights or military base access to the US. The Trump administration said it had concerns over market access, trade imbalances and investment, while Thailand wanted continued protection for its most vital domestic industries.
Bangkok Post
a day ago
- Bangkok Post
Tariff of 19% dubbed 'good news'
Despite great relief following the announcement of a 19% US tariff rate on Thai exports on Friday, the business sector remains fraught with concerns, particularly over the plight of Thai small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the agricultural sector. WAKE-UP CALL Piti Tantakasem, chief executive of TMBThanachart Bank, posted on Friday on his Facebook page that the tariff agreements the US is pursuing globally are reshaping the trade landscape from one based on free trade to a model of conditional trade, with a clear effort to exclude China from international supply chains. In this new scenario, the traditional rules of global trade will no longer apply, he said. Regarding Thailand's agricultural sector, which has long been a tool used in domestic politics, Mr Piti said it faces serious challenges from global powers with fully integrated, high-tech agricultural systems, capable of penetrating even the most entrenched political protections. "If Thailand sees the '19% deal' as a victory and is content with it, this could be 'The Beginning of the End'. But if we take it as a wake-up call to rethink and reform, then this marks 'The New Beginning'," he wrote. Mr Piti emphasised the need for Thailand to re-strategise by shifting the focus of the Board of Investment (BoI). Rather than simply measuring foreign direct investment, the BoI should prioritise building and enhancing national capabilities. He argued that Thailand's manufacturing sector must evolve, from being the "factory of the world" to developing innovative products that are uniquely Thai. Mr Piti urged Thailand to strengthen its domestic supply chains and promote authentic Thai goods to gain a competitive edge in government procurement, meet private sector demand and drive domestic consumption. He also called for clearer distinctions between legitimate businesses and grey-market enterprises, encouraging support for Thai companies that uphold good governance and social responsibility. "This is an opportunity to change, rethink and reform Thailand. This is a new beginning to make Thailand relevant again," said Mr Piti. SUPPORT MEASURES Poj Aramwattananont, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Thai Board of Trade, expressed optimism about Thailand's competitiveness in the region, bolstered by tariff rates now aligned with other Southeast Asian nations. However, he emphasised the urgent need for government measures to support Thai entrepreneurs in adapting to the new US tariff regime. These measures should focus on advancing technology, financing, marketing and trade innovation to help businesses penetrate new markets, said Mr Poj. He also urged Thailand to heed the 40% transshipment rate, warning of penalties if Thai exports are found to violate it. Certain Thai products may face increased scrutiny and Mr Poj called for clearer definitions of regional value content across various product categories. In parallel, he called for the government to formulate strategies to manage rising imports from the US, especially in sectors that may be vulnerable to increased competition. "The chamber believes further negotiations can secure more favourable terms," said Mr Poj. "We hope Team Thailand continues to advocate strongly for the interests of Thai businesses." He also advised exporters to promptly adjust their shipping schedules and cost structures to mitigate the impact of the new tariffs. The private sector stands ready to collaborate with the government, especially in supporting industries likely to be affected by import shifts under evolving regional value chains, said Mr Poj. TOUGH TASKS AHEAD Thai entrepreneurs need to enhance their competitiveness to brace for intensifying competition despite the agreement on a lower tariff rate on Thai exports similar to regional peers, said the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). While the months-long negotiation with US authorities ended, Thai manufacturers that export to the US need to adapt to the new tariff rules set by the Trump administration. "It is good news amid challenges," said Kriengkrai Thiennukul, chairman of the FTI. The 19% tariff is acceptable because none of the Southeast Asian exporting nations gains an advantage for shipments to the US, he said. However, entrepreneurs with profit margins of less than 10% need to do more homework, said Mr Kriengkrai. "These manufacturers need to reduce costs, increase productivity and talk with their trading partners to avoid passing the financial burden on to consumers," he said. Other companies with high margins should not be significantly affected by the tariffs, said Mr Kriengkrai. Though changes in US policy are expected to disrupt trade, Thai entrepreneurs should take this as an opportunity to lift their competitiveness, he said. One concern is the influx of products redirected to Asian markets due to US tariffs, hampering manufacturers in the region, said an executive in the electrical appliance sector who requested anonymity. Thai manufacturers are advised to adopt more technologies to enhance production processes and reduce costs, said Mr Kriengkrai. "We also need to seek alternative markets other than the US by forging new partnerships," he said. The FTI asked the government to help businesses access financial sources at a time when they face costlier exports. Thai farmers also need help if the government is allowing more imports of US crops in exchange for the 19% tariff rate, said Tanit Sorat, vice-chairman of the Employers' Confederation of Thai Trade and Industry. BURDEN FOR SMES Supree Thongpetch, chairman of the Thai Small and Medium Enterprise Council, which represents 80 member associations, said more than 2 million Thai SMEs that export to the US will face challenges based on the new tariff. He said many of these small businesses rely on online platforms such as eBay and Amazon to sell their products, often avoiding import duties since they typically export in smaller quantities. Their products range from maternity and baby clothing to aroma and spa items. The US currently applies low tariffs or exemptions for certain goods with existing purchase orders. However, the increase to a 19% tariff could put these businesses at a disadvantage as they may struggle with rising costs and lose their competitiveness, said Mr Supree.
