– The inaugural event of ‘Sawasdee Thailand 2024,’ featuring Thai culture and products, received an overwhelming response, with queues forming as early as 6 a.m. Thai brands were the favorites, attracting 150,000 visitors throughout the 4-day event.

– The event showcased over 11,000 Thai products, featuring performances of well-known traditional Thai puppetry, the Songkran tradition, and, for the first time, a Thai boxing stage in the heart of the shopping center.

– Reaffirming the role of a ‘global player’, the company strengthens its business model, “The Ecosystem for All”, with expertise in retail and real estate businesses, fostering growth for entrepreneurs in Thailand, Malaysia, and Southeast Asia.

Central Pattana Plc., Thailand’s number one sustainable real estate developer, marks a significant milestone by celebrating the 5th anniversary of ‘Central i-City,’ a lifestyle and entertainment destination in the ‘i-City’ mixed-use project with a total project investment worth 6.5 billion baht, establishing it as the world-class lifestyle destination of Western Kuala Lumpur.  This strategic move highlights Central Pattana as Thailand’s largest real estate developer, expanding its ‘The Ecosystem for All’ concept and bringing Thai retail and real estate expertise to a regional & global level.

The highlight of the celebration is the inaugural “Sawasdee Thailand 2024 Festival,” officiated by Her Excellency Ms. Lada Phumas, the esteemed Thai Ambassador, promising an immersive experience of Thai culture and traditions. The festival features the largest Thai product showcase, with more than 11,000 products directly imported from centralwOrld Bangkok, the world-renowned ‘Joe Louis Puppet’ Thai legacy show, Amazing Thai Taste & Shopping Delight, ‘Songkran’ Cultural Family Destination, as well as an in-mall Muay Thai Championship. The event has received positive feedback from Malaysians, with close to 150,000 visiting Central I-City over the event period.

The four-day extravaganza was organized in collaboration with Central Pattana, the Royal Thai Embassy, the Department of International Trade Promotion, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand to showcase the best of Thai heritage and entertainment. Central i-City proudly welcomes guests to join in this remarkable celebration, which marks a significant milestone for the mall and its stakeholders.

Ms. Wallaya Chirathivat, President & CEO of Central Pattana Plc., said, “Central i-City, the first Thai shopping center abroad developed by Central Pattana, is another significant milestone that underscores our success and determination as Thailand’s leading real estate developer, growing at both regional and global levels. We’re committed to leading our business partners to grow together, proudly bringing Thai identity to the international community. Over the past 5 years, Central Pattana and our development partner, I-Berhad, have driven Central i-City to play a role in boosting Selangor’s potential across various sectors, creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs, jobs, and income, thus stimulating the economy. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all our business partners and customers for their continuous support of Central i-City. We are committed to elevating Thai-Malaysian friendship and fostering regional growth in Southeast Asia together.”

Central Pattana has brought expertise and experience in retail and real estate development, as well as mixed-use projects, to collaborate on the development of the Central i-City shopping center in Malaysia. This collaboration has contributed to the enhancement of the community and economy of the city, aligning with the long-term business philosophy of the Central Group. Presently, the Central Group has expanded its business coverage to 18 countries, encompassing 140 cities across Europe and Asia.

Mr. Wuttikiat Techamongklapiwat, Head of Property Management and International Businees of Central Pattana Plc., said, “Central Pattana is committed to long-term economic prosperity and our business direction remains firm to become a driving force for the Shah Alam, Klang and wider community here in Kuala Lumpur. We intend to accelerate our investment in more time, focus and resources from Central Pattana, Thailand into Central i-City, realizing greater synergies between Thailand to Malaysia.”

“As a Place-maker, we prioritize partnerships and innovative retail concepts, fostering win-win relationships with our stakeholders. Central i-City strengthens our business ecosystem, connecting Malaysian customers with over 300 stores, including more than 10 uniquely Thai brands. Our performance metrics speak volumes: a robust rebound in traffic of over 20% year-on-year, with tenant sales bouncing back strongly, especially in the first three months of 2024. With over 60 new store openings in 2023 and more than 15 exciting brands slated to open by Q3/2024, Central i-City continues to thrive as a landmark of western Kuala Lumpur. Together with our partners, we’ve achieved remarkable success, and we’re poised to lead into the future,” said Mr.Wuttikiat.

In conjunction with the festival, Central Pattana has hosted the “Imagining Success Together” Tenant and Business Partner Forum. The forum aims to celebrate the 5th Anniversary of Central i-City’s opening and provide insights into the company’s global business direction and strategies for the future.