Our 28th Anniversary In Glam Rock Fashion
If you didn’t know Thailand Tatler celebrated its 28th anniversary last week with a spectacular party then you must have been on another planet. Our annual gala dinner is an event that is eagerly awaited and invitations are highly sought after. As of writing, IG posts are still being uploaded (and that’s a week after the event) by the chic crowd that turned up. And the crowd is always glamorously dressed to kill, with many agonising over the outfits to wear beforehand. Fashion designers tell me that their clients clamour for bespoke designs weeks leading up to the party.
With guests of the Tatler Ball
This year’s theme was Bohemian Rhapsody Glam Rock at Grand Hyatt Erawan. There was, of course, lots of glitter outfits as well as leather jackets, studs and boots. Our Queen tribute band did a great job in keeping the toes tapping and by the time the guests got on the dance floor, there was no holding them back. They would have danced all night if the band hadn’t stopped. I would have joined them except that after two hours on my feet (in high heels) greeting the attendees, there was no way I could wiggle on the dance floor unless I ditched my shoes, which would not have been quite the thing.
As usual we also presented our annual awards as well as prizes for the best dresses. The awards went to Khunying Natthika Angubolkul for Person of the Year, Adisak and Siriporn Panupong for Couple of the Year, Pranapda Phornprapha for Most Stylish Woman, ML Korkrita Kritakara for Most Stylish Man, Apinara Srikarnchana for Most Eligible Woman and Kavin Eaimsakulrat for Most Eligible Man.
Award recipients line up on stage for a group photo
See also: Video: What You Missed At The 2019 Thailand Tatler Ball
Dining At Gaysorn
That was on Tuesday. On Wednesday I was sufficiently recovered to join in Gaysorn Village’s Dining With A Story campaign where its 26 restaurants offer curated specialties from October 8 to November 10. Jirath Vattanapataraset, executive vice president of marketing, hosted a small group to dinner at two restaurants: Ginza Tenharu Riedel Wine Bar & Cellar, with sake pairing at the first and wine pairing at the second. Ginza Tenharu highlights tempura omakase in the Edo style and I must say I had some very refined appetisers there, especially the anago, or sea eel. Unfortunately I had to rush off to my next bash so had to forego the main course at Riedel (it was fettucine lobster, making it all that much more difficult to walk away).
Ginza Tenharu chefs prepare tempura at Gaysorn Village
Armenia’s 28th Birthday As Well
This other event was the celebration of the 28th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Armenia hosted by honorary consul Arto Artinian. It was just across the street at the Grand Hyatt Erawan, which was quite convenient. Most national day celebrations serve food from the hotel with, if you are lucky, a few local specialties added, but here there were several tables of Armenian cuisine. The fetuccine lobster was quickly forgotten while I tried some interesting bites from the country in the Caucasus.
With Armenian honorary consul Arto Artinian and his wife Sirin and guests 
Patek Philippe Watch Art Grand Exhibition, Singapore
Then on Thursday I flew to Singapore for the Patek Philippe Watch Art Grand Exhibition. The Sands Theatre at the Marina Bay Sands underwent a transformation to showcase the world of Patek Philippe, with 10 themed rooms highlighting the historical salons at the Rue du Rhone in Geneva, the workshops and the museum. This exhibition at a cost of 20 million euros is the largest so far, and the fifth edition after Dubai, Munich, London and New York. More than 400 timepieces were flown in from Geneva, including antique, handcraft and limited edition pieces. With Singapore celebrating its bicentennial this year, there was a special display to pay tribute to the city state and Southeast Asian nations with timepieces designed specifically for the occasion.
The first day was a session exclusively for the media flown in from the US, Europe, Australia and Asia, followed by the opening on Saturday also for clients and dealers, hosted by president Thierry Stern and general manager Deepa Chatrath. The exhibition runs until October 13.
Previously: Naphalai’s Diary: September 16-22
