An outpouring of flood relief
There was an overwhelming response to Sunday's "9/11 Fair for Flood" at centralworld, which saw shoppers in the packed mall rub shoulders with celebrities and socialites to help the victims of floods in Thailand.
The charity event attracted strong support thanks to the two key figures behind it - Khunying Piyapas "Ton" Bhirombhakdi and worakorn "Jay" Chatikavanij, wife of Democrat Party deputy leader Korn.
Jay's husband Korn turned up, of course, as did other Democrat figures, among them Bangkok's former governor Apirak Kosayodhin and party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva.
The former prime minister attracted a big cheering crowd of supporters who gave him a warm welcome. Abhisit sold T-shirts and signed autographs like he was a movie star.
However, he couldn't overshadow television sweetheart Thiradej "Ken" Wongpuapan, who helped peddle the charity tees with his wife "Noi" Bussakorn.
Khunying Ton was accompanied by her children and hubby Chutinan and they gave moral support as well as assisted at the fair. Her family and the Democrats are no strangers - her daughter Chipas is a former Democrat MP.
His money's worth
Designer goods donated by socialites were sold at bargain prices at the "Fair for Flood" charity event. For example Prada or Gucci shoes could be had for as little as Bt2,000 to Bt3,000.
Far more lucrative was the auction of the auspicious Bt100 banknote numbered 9999999. It fetched Bt200,000.
Even more exciting was the competitive bidding to kiss soap star Ken Thiradej's cheek. Despite the presence of Ken's wife Noi, everyone wanted a peck. But it was an anti-climax - the highest bidder turned out to be Ken himself, plunking down Bt20,000.
It could be that he just wanted to donate something, or maybe he didn't want a stranger's lips to touch him. Nonetheless, he couldn't kiss himself, so he gave that right to Noi who in turn was shy and gave him a very swift smooch on the cheek.
