I’m in Hong Kong this week for a conference of the Asian Tatlers. And I’m actually glad I have this break from Bangkok as the last week my patience was stretched to the limit. Monday was a holiday, Tuesday was fine, but on Wednesday it took me two hours to drive home, a trip which normally takes 30 to 40 minutes. On Thursday I decided to take a different route, but again two hours before I reached the gate of my house. Then on Friday, the city came to a complete standstill after a super heavy downpour–three long hours it took me, by which time my bladder had gone way past bursting. Five hours lost to traffic—precious time that I can spend on so many other things. Something needs to be done otherwise Bangkok will become totally unlivable. New government members—is anyone listening?
A Farewell
Last week the beauty and retail industry said goodbye to a veteran, Ampornpim Vajrabhaya, managing director of ELCA Thailand. Under her stewardship, her company grew into one of the top three beauty groups in Thailand. The farewell was held at Centara Grand with video tributes paid to her by leading retail personalities as well as members of the Estée Lauder family in New York. That evening, staff of ELCA Thailand were invited to the same venue for a party to say goodbye to their boss of 28 years.
With Ampornpim Vajrabhaya and Yuki Srikarnchana at ELCA farewell event
Visiting Bangkok was well-known furniture designer Barbara Barry, who was in town for the reopening of her new look showroom at Siam Paragon. She has completely updated the space which now also carries curated lifestyle items, some of which have been designed exclusively for this shop, to reflect her own home. The event was hosted by Chanintr Sirisant of distributor Chanintr home furnishing company.
With Barbara Barry
Another visitor to Bangkok last week was Hollywood celebrity and perfumer Douglas Little. Collaborating with Sansiri, he has created a signature scent for the real estate developer which will only be available at the Sansiri Luxury Collection properties. Together with Ou Baholyodhin, Sansiri’s chief creative officer, Little’s Heretic Parfum introduced its home fragrance collection at Sansiri’s Monument Thong Lo project where he also conducted workshops.
Ou Baholyodhin and Douglas Little at the Sansiri fragrance launch 
With Khunying Chodchoy Sophonpanich at KHUN x Magic Eyes
To celebrate World Environment Day on June 5, KHUN Foundation joined hands with Ta Viset to launch the KHUN x Magic Eyes campaign to reduce and separate trash. Ta Viset or Magic Eyes was initiated several decades ago by Khunying Chodchoy Sophonpanich and was one of the early environmental campaigners in Thailand. She is now reactivating the Ta Viset projects for a new generation, with this one, held at Siam Square One, among the first to take off.
At Jill Stuart
Celebrating its third anniversary in Thailand was Jill Stuart, the beauty brand known for its feminine packaging. Held at Siam Paragon, the event introduced three new limited edition collections to create looks for all occasions: Pink Bling, Diamond Time and Something Pure Blue. Jill Stuart is a beauty brand under Kose Japan in partnership with American designer Jill Stuart.
With British ambassador Brian Davidson and other guests
I also attended a reception at the Siam Kempinski to celebrate the official birthday of HM Queen Elizabeth, hosted by British ambassador HE Brian Davidson. The occasion was also to celebrate British music and its musicians.
The celebration of the Dragon Boat Festival is normally held on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar, falling on June 5 this year and the Hong Kong Ladies Group held a lunch for this occasion. Organised by the group’s president Kathleen Pokrud, it was at Coca Suriwongse which had prepared a Chinese menu. It was quite a noisy get-together with lots of activities including a bingo game and bajang making demonstration.
At the Hong Kong Ladies Group lunch to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival 
Chef Luigi Taglienti at La Tavola
Italian chef Luigi Taglienti from the Michelin-starred Lume restaurant in Milan showed off his culinary skills at La Tavola of the Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel. It was an enjoyable dinner including some of the chef’s signature dishes including scrambled oyster which tasted like a refined oyster omelette.
For those reading my Diary on a regular basis, you will know I attend lunches and dinners very often. In fact, too often, so I welcomed this invitation to something a bit different—a breakfast event. Netdaw Vattanasimakorn, designer for Landmee, unveiled her pre-fall 2019 collection with a hearty breakfast at Lady L. The colours and silhouettes for the designs were inspired by Zalipie village in Poland, where Netdaw enjoyed the breakfasts early in the morning, hence the morning meal served to the guests.
With Netdaw Vattanasimakorn and other guests at Landmee breakfast 
Landmee design
Previously: Naphalai’s Diary: May 27-June 2
