A picture of Aleksandar (Sasha) Bodiroza, who currently leads UNFPA’s work as Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific ad interim. (Picture by UNFPA Asia and the Pacific)
Aleksandar (Sasha) Bodiroza brings 27 years of experience in strategic foresight, leadership, and management at the country, regional, and global levels in sexual and reproductive health, rights, and humanitarian programming. Dr. Bodiroza currently leads UNFPA’s work as Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific ad interim, overseeing programmes across 36 countries in the region and providing strategic direction to ensure coherent, high-impact delivery of country and regional initiatives.
Across Asia and the Pacific, demographic change is becoming one of the defining policy challenges of our time.
Some countries are grappling with declining fertility rates and rapidly ageing populations. Others are seeking to harness the potential of large youth populations. Across the region, governments are asking how demographic shifts will affect economic growth, labour markets, healthcare systems and social protection.
These are important questions. But they often begin in the wrong place.
The future of Asia and the Pacific will not be determined simply by fertility rates, population projections or age structures. It will be shaped by something more fundamental: whether young people have reason to hope.
Too often, public discussions about demographic change focus on numbers rather than people. Yet behind every statistic is a deeply personal decision: whether to pursue further education, whether to enter a relationship, whether to have children, whether to remain in a community or seek opportunities elsewhere. These decisions are shaped not only by individual preferences, but by the opportunities and constraints that young people encounter in their daily lives.
New evidence from UNFPA’s Demographic Futures Survey, one of the largest studies of its kind, challenges some of the assumptions that frequently dominate public debates. Far from turning away from partnership, parenthood or family life, most young people continue to value and aspire to them. Many still see marriage and children as part of the future they hope to build. What they increasingly question is whether that future is within reach.
Young people consistently identify financial security, stable employment and a sense of readiness as among the most important conditions for starting a family. Yet across much of Asia and the Pacific, these foundations are becoming harder to secure. Rising living costs, housing insecurity, economic uncertainty and widening inequalities are making it increasingly difficult for many young people to build the futures they aspire to.
For many, the challenge is not choosing between career and family, but having a genuine opportunity to pursue both. And young people’s realities are far from uniform. While some struggle to balance work and family aspirations, others are denied meaningful choice altogether, constrained by poverty, discrimination and harmful social norms or practices. Young women continue to shoulder a disproportionate share of unpaid care responsibilities, while unequal access to safe, decent work leaves many more vulnerable to exploitation, violence and economic insecurity.
Expanding choice therefore requires more than encouraging individual decisions. It requires policies and investments that enable every young person to determine their own future with dignity, safety and equal opportunity.
Climate change adds another layer of uncertainty. Across Asia and the Pacific, young people are coming of age in a region increasingly affected by extreme weather events, environmental degradation and climate-related displacement. Their concerns about the future extend beyond economics. They are also asking what kind of world they will inherit and what opportunities it will offer.
These concerns matter because hope is not simply an emotion but the very foundation of resilient societies. People are more likely to invest in their futures when they believe those futures are attainable. Communities are stronger when young people can see opportunities to learn, work, contribute and thrive. Societies are more resilient when young people feel confident that progress is possible.
Hope does not emerge by chance but is built through policies and investments that expand opportunity and strengthen security. It is built through quality education, decent work, affordable housing, accessible healthcare, robust social protection and meaningful action on gender equality. It is reinforced when young people can exercise their rights, participate in decisions that affect their lives and trust that institutions are working in their interests.
This is why healthy populations cannot be achieved through attempts to engineer outcomes. They cannot be built by limiting rights or pressuring people to make deeply personal choices. Sustainable responses to demographic change begin by understanding the realities young people face and creating the conditions that enable them to flourish.
On this World Population Day, we should remember that demographic futures are not predetermined. They are shaped by the choices societies make today. If we want resilient economies, thriving communities and sustainable development tomorrow, we must ensure that young people have more than aspirations. We must ensure they have reason to hope.
A picture of agreement was signed by Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane and SCO Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev on 10 July in Beijing, China. (Photo by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR)
Laos has strengthened its regional ties after formally confirming its status as a Dialogue Partner of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), signing an agreement with the organization in Beijing on 10 July.
The agreement puts into effect a decision made by SCO leaders during their summit in Tianjin, China, on 1 September 2025, when Laos was admitted as a Dialogue Partner.
Although Dialogue Partners are not full members of the organization, they can take part in selected meetings, cooperation programs, and sector-specific initiatives alongside SCO member states.
According to Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane, the new status will allow Laos to expand cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, transport, tourism, digital transformation, economic development, and sustainable development.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Thongsavanh described the agreement as an important milestone in relations between Laos and the SCO. He said the government remains committed to strengthening cooperation through the organization’s various mechanisms and programs.
He also highlighted digital transformation as one of Laos’ key development priorities and said the country looks forward to working more closely with SCO members in that field and other areas of mutual interest.
Supporting Regional Connectivity
The partnership aims to strengthen Laos’ ambition of becoming a regional transport and logistics hub by supporting its long-term goal of transforming from a landlocked country into a land-linked one.
During the meeting, both sides noted that Laos serves as an important link between China’s Belt and Road Initiative and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. They also highlighted the China-Laos Railway as a growing gateway for regional trade and connectivity.
Officials said the new partnership could help Laos deepen cooperation with countries across Central Asia, South Asia, and Eurasia while creating new opportunities for trade, investment, and logistics.
Founded in 2001, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization now has 10 member states, two observer states, and 15 Dialogue Partners, including Laos.
Laos commemorated the 117th birth anniversary of former President Souphanouvong, honoring the revolutionary leader who became the country's first president.
Born into one of Laos’ most powerful royal families, former President Souphanouvong could have lived a life of comfort under French colonial rule. Instead, he became the key figure of the country’s communist revolution from the late 50s and, eventually, its first president in 1975.
Laos marked the 117th anniversary of his birth on 13 July, with President Thongloun Sisoulith laying flowers at his statue in Luang Prabang and officials paying tribute nationwide. Yet, the ceremony is the latest reminder of how a French-trained engineer became the “Red Prince” who helped end one of Southeast Asia’s last monarchies.
Born a Prince, Raised Apart
Souphanouvong was born 13 July 1909, at the Sisouvanna Palace in Xieng Dong, Luang Prabang, one of the sons of Prince Bounkhong, the last viceroy of Luang Prabang. But his position within the royal family was always unusual. Unlike his half-brothers Souvanna Phouma and Phetsarath Ratanavongsa, whose mothers held royal status, Souphanouvong’s mother, Mom Kham Ouane, was a commoner.
This marked the beginning of one of the biggest political rivalries in modern Lao history. Souphanouvong became one of the “Three Princes,” alongside Souvanna Phouma and Prince Boun Oum of Champasak.
Each represented a different political path, reflecting the old divisions that remained after the Lan Xang Kingdom broke apart into the kingdoms of Luang Prabang, Vientiane, and Champasak in the early 1700s. Boun Oum stood with the royalists, Souvanna Phouma tried to keep Laos neutral, while Souphanouvong became the leader of the armed revolutionary movement.
An Engineer Radicalized by Empire
Nothing in Souphanouvong’s early life suggested he would become a revolutionary leader. He first studied at the Lycée Albert Sarraut in Hanoi before going to Paris to study civil engineering at the École nationale des ponts et chaussées. After graduating in 1937, he returned to French Indochina and spent nearly ten years building roads and bridges in central Vietnam and Laos, including the Xe Bang Hiang Bridge in Savannakhet Province.
According to Lao historical accounts, it was this work that changed his outlook. As he traveled across then-French Indochina and worked within the colonial administration, he saw firsthand how local people were treated under the colonial rule.
Those experiences are widely believed to have influenced his decision to leave engineering behind and join the struggle against the colonizers. By 1945, as Japan’s occupation came to an end and France sought to regain control of Indochina, Souphanouvong had joined the Pathetlao movement, the communist-aligned resistance group that he helped establish and lead.
Thirty Years Underground and in Exile
What followed was three decades of clandestine run.
Souphanouvong spent much of the next thirty years fighting a war fought on multiple fronts at once: against French colonial forces, then against the U.S.-backed Royal Lao Government, often in coordination with North Vietnamese forces during the wider Indochina wars.
His own half-brother, Souvanna Phouma, would serve repeatedly as prime minister of the government Souphanouvong’s movement was trying to overthrow.
The Pathetlao’s fortunes shifted permanently in 1975, as communist forces swept through Vietnam and Cambodia. Laos followed the same trajectory. The monarchy fell, and on 2 December 1975, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) was proclaimed. Souphanouvong became the new republic’s first president.
He held the office in an active capacity from December 1975 until October 1986, when declining health forced him to step back.
Rather than formally resign, Souphanouvong retained the presidential title for another five years while Phoumi Vongvichit governed as acting president in his place. That arrangement that lasted until August 1991, when Kaysone Phomvihane, the country’s first prime minister, was installed as the officially elected second president under a new constitution.
Souphanouvong died in Vientiane on 9 January 1995, of heart disease, at age 85. The government declared five days of national mourning.
Today the country celebrate his birth anniversary with ceremonies, floral tributes, and official commemorations honoring his role in the revolutionary struggle and the founding of the Lao PDR.
EASY GOLD has launched EASY HUB, a new digital feature that allows customers in Laos to set their own preferred gold buying and selling prices, introducing a customer-driven approach to digital gold trading.
Officially launched on 13 July, EASY HUB enables users to create their own buy or sell orders by selecting their desired gold price and choosing the transaction amount based on either monetary value or gold weight. When another user places a matching order, the system automatically connects both parties, streamlining the trading process.
The new feature marks another step in EASY GOLD’s efforts to expand digital gold investment services in Laos through technology designed to provide greater flexibility and convenience for customers.
To access EASY HUB, customers are required to complete identity verification and link their account with Lao Development Bank before using the platform.
To mark the launch, EASY GOLD is not charging transaction fees for all EASY HUB trades until 31 August, allowing customers to use the new feature without additional charges during the promotional period.
The company said it will continue to enhance its digital gold services by focusing on secure, reliable, and user-friendly solutions that support easier access to gold trading for customers across Laos.
ABU DHABI, UAE, July 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Robo.ai Inc. (NASDAQ: AIIO) (the “Company”) today announced the appointment of H.E. Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi, former President of INTERPOL, as Chairman of its subsidiary Neurovia AI, effective immediately. The appointment marks a significant strengthening of governance and security oversight following Neurovia AI’s integration into Robo.ai, and underscores Robo.ai’s commitment to building trusted, sovereign AI infrastructure in the UAE.
H.E. Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi, Former President of INTERPOL
H.E. Al-Raisi brings more than four decades of experience in the digital transformation of public services and in global digital security governance, with expertise spanning national-level data compliance, cross-border digital risk management, and the development of sovereign-grade AI security frameworks. He served as President of INTERPOL from 2021 to 2025, the first President from the Middle East in the organization’s century-long history.
As Chairman, H.E. Al-Raisi will lead the Board of Neurovia AI, aligning the company’s development with the UAE’s national AI strategy, strengthening top-level security governance, supporting the company’s engagement with government and enterprise customers as well as its international expansion, and providing guidance on the company’s long-term strategy, compliance and governance.
“Data infrastructure is the cornerstone of the artificial intelligence era, and building this foundation requires high standards and responsible security governance,” said H.E. Al-Raisi. “I look forward to working with the Board and the management team to establish a robust and compliant data security framework and to support the sound development of the region’s AI industry.”
About Neurovia AI Limited
Neurovia AI provides AI visual data processing and visual infrastructure through its NeuroStream™ platform. Dedicated to transitioning visual data from human viewing to machine understanding, the company utilizes AI-native compression and edge computing to address data bottlenecks in Physical AI. Its technology serves autonomous driving, smart cities, and intelligent manufacturing, providing a foundational layer for global machine perception and collaboration.
About Robo.ai Inc.
Robo.ai Inc. (NASDAQ: AIIO) is a technology company dedicated to building an artificial intelligence machine economy platform. Its mission is to integrate smart terminals through AI software, intelligent hardware, and smart assets to construct a unified artificial intelligence operating system and a blockchain-empowered ecosystem to pioneer an intelligent future.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on the current expectations and assumptions of the Company’s management and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. For further details, please refer to the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 20-F and current reports on Form 6-K. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.
BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 July 2026 – The Department of Foreign Trade (DFT), Ministry of Commerce of Thailand, together with the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion (OSMEP), invites consumers in Guangzhou to experience the premium quality of Thai rice at “Thai Rice Roadshow: Think Rice Think Thailand – We Serve the Best Quality Rice to the World.”The event will take place from 17–19 July 2026 ,10:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m. at the outdoor plaza in front of Grandview Mall, Guangzhou, China.
The roadshow will bring together more than 28 Thai rice producers and rice product manufacturers to showcase and sell premium Thai rice and rice products, while raising awareness of Thai rice and promoting its consumption in the Chinese market.
Visitors will have the opportunity to discover the quality, diversity, and distinctive taste of Thai rice while meeting exhibitors from Thailand’s major rice-producing regions. Featured products include Thai Hom Mali (Jasmine) rice, white rice, Thai fragrant rice, glutinous rice, and specialty varieties such as Riceberry, Hom Nin, and Sangyod rice. The event will also feature the “Seven Stories of Thai Rice” exhibition, presenting the origins of Thai rice, traditional cultivation wisdom, unique characteristics, and nutritional value to help Chinese consumers gain a deeper understanding of Thailand’s rice heritage.
A major highlight of the event will be live cooking demonstrations by professional Thai chefs, with complimentary tastings of signature Thai rice dishes, including pineapple fried rice, lotus leaf rice, mango sticky rice, sticky rice with longan and goji berries, and banana sticky rice. Visitors can also purchase authentic Thai cuisine from Thai SELECT certified restaurants, a mark of authentic Thai ingredients and genuine Thai flavors.
Admission is free. Visitors are invited to explore, taste, and shop for premium Thai rice products throughout the three-day event.
To further promote Thai rice and encourage its consumption in Guangzhou, DFT will partner with three Thai SELECTrestaurants—Mango Tree, Lian Restaurant, and Manmailai—to present the “Think Rice Think Thailand: Taste of Thai Cuisine” campaign from 18–24 July 2026**. Customers ordering dishes from the Special Thai Rice Menuwill be eligible for a lucky draw, with the grand prize of two round-trip air tickets between Guangzhou and Bangkok. Winners will also enjoy an exclusive Thai fine dining experience at Khao San Sek in Bangkok’s Song Wat district, created by Michelin-starred Chef Pichaya “Chef Pam” Soontornyanakij.
Hashtag: #DFT #OSMEP
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
HONG KONG, July 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — KLN Logistics Group Limited (‘KLN’; Stock Code 0636.HK) announced that its healthcare subsidiary, KLN Medical Limited (‘KLN Medical’), has signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Advantech Co., Ltd. (‘Advantech’; Stock Code 2395.TW), a global leader in IoT intelligent systems and embedded platforms, and YDCare, a medical nursing brand under New Frontier Group. Under the MOU, KLN Medical will be the sole distributor of Advantech’s iWard smart ward solutions (‘iWard’) for the Hong Kong market. The partnership aims to synergise the three parties’ expertise across smart healthcare technology, clinical application and medical supply chain management to support the digital transformation of Hong Kong’s healthcare system and promote the application and development of advanced healthtech.
KLN Medical will leverage its combined strengths in healthcare supply chain management, technical capabilities and after-market support to provide medical institutions with one-stop solutions covering equipment delivery, after-sales technical support, maintenance services and system implementation co-ordination, fully supporting the smooth deployment and long-term development of iWard in Hong Kong. Through iWard’s integration of patient information, clinical workflows and medical equipment and seamless connection with the existing information systems of medical institutions, together with YDCare’s expertise in clinical application, the three parties will work together to help healthcare teams enhance clinical collaboration efficiency and ward operation management, drive the development of smart wards and the digitalisation of clinical workflows and create greater value for healthcare professionals and patients.
Samuel Lau, Managing Director – Integrated Logistics of KLN, said, “We are pleased to enter this tripartite partnership with Advantech and YDCare, which marks an important milestone for our expansion into the smart healthcare sector. With our professional expertise, extensive healthcare logistics network and commitment to service excellence, we will provide Hong Kong’s medical institutions with efficient and reliable supply chain solutions.”
Jackson Hsu, PD Head of Advantech, said, “The iWard solutions have gained recognition in multiple Asian healthcare markets including the Chinese Mainland, Thailand and Japan. We look forward to introducing this proven and reliable technology to Hong Kong in collaboration with KLN Medical and YDCare, with a view to advancing medical digitalisation. This will provide efficient operational support for frontline medical professionals and enhance the patient care experience.”
Serena Xie, Founder and CEO of YDCare, said, “YDCare has been dedicated to providing home nursing care services for a decade and is one of the pioneers in home-based healthcare in Hong Kong. With our clinical perspective, professional experience and nursing best practices, we will integrate patient data with the intelligent systems. We hope this collaboration will help more medical institutions optimise nursing workflows and further improve the quality and safety of patient care.”
Looking ahead, KLN Medical will continue to partner with industry leaders to deliver innovative medical technologies and promote a smarter healthcare ecosystem.
-End-
About KLN Logistics Group Limited (Stock Code 0636.HK)
KLN is an Asia-rooted, global 3PL delivering customer-centric, end-to-end supply chain solutions that connect markets and power global trade, as a trusted partner to many of the top 100 global brands and Fortune Global 500 companies across a wide spectrum of industries. With a presence across 58 countries and territories, KLN offers integrated logistics, international freight forwarding, e-commerce and industrial project logistics solutions. KLN has been the global No. 1 Trans-Pacific NVOCC from Asia to the US since 2023 and ranks No. 20 among Global 3PLs (Armstrong & Associates, 2026). Listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, KLN generated revenue* of over HK$56 billion in 2025 and is a constituent of the Hang Seng Corporate Sustainability Benchmark Index. Learn more at www.kln.com
* For continuing operations only
About KLN Medical Limited
KLN Medical is dedicated to advancing healthcare in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia by delivering innovative medical technologies that improve patient outcomes. In collaboration with world-renowned partners, KLN Medical ensures that healthcare professionals have access to the latest advancements, driving excellence across the continuum of care. As a member of the KLN Group, KLN Medical focuses on the reliable distribution of high-quality medical devices and solutions. Its multidisciplinary team brings deep expertise across key areas including cardiovascular care, rehabilitation, hospital and clinic support, engineering, marketing, business development, regulatory affairs and quality assurance, customer service, and operations. Website: www.medical.kln.com
About Advantech Co., Ltd
Advantech is a global leader in IoT intelligent systems and embedded platforms, with the corporate vision of “Enabling an Intelligent Planet.” To embrace the trends of edge computing and artificial intelligence, Advantech fully deploys its sector-driven strategy and focus on Edge Computing and Edge AI, targeting five key markets: Edge Intelligence Systems, Manufacturing, Energy and Utilities, iHealthcare, and iCity Services & iRetail. In the meantime, Advantech is enhancing its global presence and core competitiveness by integrating its Edge Computing hardware platform, the WISE-IoT software platform, and sector-specific Edge AI solutions with domain expertise. The integration will form an “Orchestration” model for seamless industrial chain connections, benefiting both partners and clients. Advantech is also working with business partners to co-create business ecosystems that accelerate the goal of industrial intelligence. Website: https://www.advantech.com/zh-tw
About YDCare
YDCare is the flagship home care brand of New Frontier Group. Backed by the Group’s premium medical resources, YDCare continuously enhances its personalised, comprehensive, and tiered professional services to meet the diverse home care needs of both the elderly and children in China. Led by senior nursing experts and a multidisciplinary team, its Hong Kong & International business line is dedicated to extending hospital-grade safety standards and clinical workflows into the home environment. The platform delivers a one-stop service encompassing medical nursing, daily care, home rehabilitation, palliative and end-of-life care, and medical equipment rental. Notably, YDCare pioneers advanced medical technologies in Hong Kong’s home settings, including Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) and Home Parenteral Nutrition (HPN), enabling patients to recover safely in familiar surroundings while effectively reducing unnecessary hospitalisations and commutes. Website: www.ydcarehk.com
BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 July 2026 – Happitat today announced its official opening on 21 August2026, introducing the New Global Landmark of Happiness and the world’s first destination dedicated to happiness. Built on the belief that happiness should not be reserved only for special occasions, Happitat is designed to bring happiness into everyday life.
At a time when most destinations compete on scale, convenience, and comprehensive offerings, Happitat began with a different question: How can we design a place that enables lasting happiness?
That question evolved into the Happiness Movement, a philosophy that redefines the role of destinations from places people simply visit to places that actively cultivate happiness, enrich emotions, and create meaningful positive experiences for everyone.
“We never set out to build another shopping mall. Our ambition has always been to establish a new benchmark for destination creation,” said Orada Kerdhong, President of Axtra Happitat Co., Ltd.
“Our mission is to create a world-class happiness destination where happiness is at the heart of everything we do—from architecture and design to every experience we curate. With Happitat, we aspire to redefine the future of Happiness-led landmarks through a Happiness-Led Destination model. Rather than simply creating places that meet functional lifestyle needs, we create destinations that enrich people’s emotional well-being through meaningful moments, genuine human connections, and lasting memories that inspire them to return.
This is the DNA of Happitat and the change we hope to bring to the industry. While Happitat is rooted in Thailand, our vision is global. We are moving beyond destinations built solely for shopping or convenience to create places where happiness becomes a lasting part of people’s lives. This belief was never an afterthought—it has been the foundation of Happitat since day one, shaping every experience, every partnership, and every decision we make.”
Bringing this philosophy to life, Happitat has created the 7Magical Happiness—a signature framework that brings together visionary thinking, thoughtful design, nature, imagination, and collaboration to create the distinctive happiness experience that defines Happitat.
1. Happiness as a New Paradigm for Destination Design For decades, the success of destinations has often been measured by scale, commercial performance, and visitor numbers. Through its Happiness-Led Destination philosophy, Happitat is introducing a new paradigm for destination development—one where happiness becomes the driving force behind every decision.
This new paradigm elevates the role of destinations beyond places for lifestyle, leisure, and commerce. At Happitat, happiness is not merely an outcome of a visit, but the very DNA behind every layer of design—created to deliver meaningful experiences, nurture human connections, and enhance people’s quality of life.
Happitat places customer value at the center of its destination creation philosophy, shifting from Space to Moments, from Transactions to Connections, and from Visitation to Memories. It is designed to enrich the way people learn, play, dine, and spend time together through imagination and new forms of experience—not as an escape from everyday life, but as a more joyful way of living.
2. Happiness Through Nature From the earliest stages of development, Happitat’s research revealed that happiness flourishes when people are immersed in nature. This insight shaped a design philosophy where nature is not an added feature, but the foundation of the entire destination.
Masterplanned by Foster + Partners, in collaboration with F&P (Thailand), TK Studio, one of Thailand’s leading landscape architecture firms, and Atelier Ten, the global environmental design consultancy behind acclaimed projects including Jewel Changi Airport and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) Expansion, Happitat seamlessly integrates architecture and nature to reconnect people with the natural world.
Every aspect of the destination has been thoughtfully designed to create a seamless transition from the energy of the city into a lush forest environment. Pocket gardens, greenery woven throughout every level, and carefully selected native plant species tailored to each area’s microclimate work together to create a thriving ecosystem and a comfortable, nature-filled environment throughout the destination.
Beyond the development itself, Happitat serves as the gateway to a 30-rai urban forest behind the project—one of eastern Bangkok’s most ecologically diverse green spaces. Grown from seed into a flourishing ecosystem rich in biodiversity, the forest has become Bangna’s Urban Lung, restoring balance between the city and nature while giving people the opportunity to reconnect with nature as part of everyday life.
3. Happiness Through Imagination At Happitat, imagination is where happiness begins. Rather than asking what should fill a space, the design process began with a different question: How do we want people to feel when they are here?
To bring this vision to life, Happitat partnered with ITEC Entertainment, former consultants to some of the world’s leading theme parks, and BUG Studio to create a destination where storytelling, imagination, and immersive experiences come together—inviting visitors of all ages to explore, discover, and become part of the story.
This vision comes to life at Whimsical Market, a fantasy-inspired family destination featuring more than 60 curated cafés and restaurants. Home to exclusive magical original charactersthat come alive through movement, hidden stories waiting to be discovered, and a three-storey-tall imaginative tree accompanied by a towering giraffe welcoming every visitor, Whimsical Market transforms every visit into a shared adventure. Daily performances further immerse guests in the narrative, turning an ordinary dining experience into a memorable journey of wonder and discovery.
Another highlight is Lumis Theater Hall, a multi-purpose venue inspired by the interplay of light, architecture, and technology. Designed to host performances, exhibitions, and immersive experiences, it creates ever-evolving storytelling experiences unlike any other.
4. Happiness Through Immersive World Happitat creates a seamless connection between the physical and digital worlds through a new generation of Phygital Experiences, elevating everyday life with an Immersive World beyond imagination.
At the heart of this vision is the LED screen at the Grand Stairs, one of the largest indoor digital screens in Southeast Asia and a new landmark for immersive storytelling. Designed to captivate both Thai and international visitors, the Grand Stairs will showcase large-scale immersive experiences, including world-class content premiering in Thailand for the first time.
These experiences will be brought to life by leading creative studios from around the world, including:
Pixel Artworks (UK) – The London-based global experience design studio behind immersive experiences for some of the world’s most ambitious brands and entertainment destinations, including Netflix’s Stranger Things global launch.
BoraBora Studios (Germany) – A creative technology studio specializing in emotionally engaging spatial experiences. Awarded Gold – Best Immersive Experience at the 2026 Mondo-DR Awards for The Lost World Aquarium Dubai.
Idyllias (Thailand) – A creator of interactive experiences powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI), immersive technology, and gamification, connecting engagement between the physical and digital worlds.
Yellaban (Thailand) – One of Thailand’s leading creative media studios specializing in projection mapping, immersive installations, visual storytelling, and experience design. Selected to showcase its work at the EXPO Hall during World Expo Osaka 2025, the studio combines design, art, and technology to create fresh immersive content and experiences that evolve throughout the year.
5. Happiness Through Culinary Excellence At Happitat, happiness begins around the table. Guided by the belief that memorable dining experiences are created not by the number of restaurants, but by thoughtfully curating partners who share the same passion for culinary excellence, Happitat is setting a new benchmark as Thailand’s Finest Culinary Destination.
For the first time in Thailand, the destination brings together the country’s largest collection of restaurants by Michelin-starred chefs and acclaimed culinary talents under one roof. Highlights include Vuur by three-Michelin-starred Dutch chef Jacob Jan Boerma, alongside a new concept under the Chim portfolio by Thai chef Thaninthorn Chantrawan, whose restaurant has retained one Michelin Star for nine consecutive years. Happitat also features an exceptional selection of Bib Gourmand restaurants curated by Lotus’s Eatery, together with concepts from celebrated chefs and leading culinary brands.
Beyond fine dining, Happitat curates more than 100 restaurants and cafés serving over 3,000 menu items, bringing together a diverse world of culinary experiences within a single destination. Exclusive concepts include Thailand’s first pet-friendly CHAGEE, Sostare Gelato, the premium Italian artisan gelato brand making its shopping centre debut, and Forist Delight, an immersive dessert destination inspired by The Edible Forest, where nature, imagination, and indulgence come together.
The destination also introduces several first-to-Bangna concepts, including UORIKI (Hokkaido Izakaya) by CP-Uoriki, offering authentic Japanese dining with premium Hokkaido ingredients, CTM, ChaTraMue’s fourth flagship store in Thailand, and Yuan Ji Dumpling, the renowned freshly made dumpling brand from China. These are joined by well-loved favourites such as Ahjou Tea, Dairy Queen, GAGA, Good Cha, Greek’s Cup, 1:2 Coffee, Paul, White Story, Kestiew, and legendary street food favourites—creating a destination where every generation can gather around the table and discover happiness through food.
6. Happiness Through Curated Partnerships At Happitat, happiness is not measured by the number of brands or retail offerings, but by the quality of the partnerships behind every experience. Every brand is carefully selected not simply as a tenant, but as a long-term partner that shares Happitat’s vision of creating meaningful experiences and building a sustainable ecosystem of happiness.
Happitat introduces a collection of first-to-Thailand concepts and destination-exclusive experiences developed in collaboration with leading partners, including:
Axtra Club – A membership-based retail concept, featuring a curated selection of premium products sourced from around the world with exclusive prices for members, complemented by an exclusive dining experience created by Chef Willment Leong, Global Master Chef and Asia Director of the World Association of Chefs’ Societies.
7–Eleven – A completely new store concept created exclusively for Happitat, reimagining the convenience store experience in an entirely new way.
Lotus’s PRIVÉ Market – A new premium supermarket concept built around the philosophy of “Less, but Better.” Spanning more than 500 square metres, the Premium Fresh & Lifestyle Hub is designed exclusively for Happitat around two core pillars: Curated Excellence and Modern Experience. Curated Excellence brings together the finest imported ingredients, premium wagyu, organic fruits and vegetables, an extensive wine cellar, and a curated selection of premium chocolates from around the world. Modern Experience combines boutique-inspired design with smart retail innovations and a dedicated Healthy Bar, creating a premium lifestyle experience thoughtfully designed for modern everyday living.
True Branding Shop & TrueSphere – A new destination where premium retail meets community experiences, combining True’s comprehensive retail offering with the signature Super First Class hospitality of TrueSphere to create a premium environment that brings together people, lifestyle, and community.
A New Toy & Technology Kingdom – A new destination for imagination and discovery, bringing together toys, AI technology, collectible art toys, rare collectibles, and globally recognised character IP merchandise in one place for collectors, families, and fans of all ages.
Exclusive Destination Concept
Happitat has partnered with leading brands across education, wellness, lifestyle, and pet services to create a destination that supports every aspect of everyday life.
– Learning & Family Hub Happitat is creating Bangna’s largest family learning destination by bringing together more than 15 leading institutes covering academics, music, arts, movement, fitness, and language education, including Bagel Swings Social Club, Cymath School, Dinos Drum, Phonic 1st, Top One, The D.T x Math Logik, Yamaha Music School, Chinese Hub Language School, NEXT GEN Success School, and many more. – Health & Wellness Putting holistic well-being at the heart of everyday life, Happitat introduces a new-to-Thailand fitness concept alongside a rooftop swimming pool, panoramic pickleball courts, and a curated selection of wellness and beauty partners, including Kaew Pilates Studio, Flex Rehab, Setai Exclusive, Sarang Hair, HANA STUDIO, and THE LOFT CLINIC. – Lifestyle Brands Supporting modern everyday living through a curated mix of leading retail and lifestyle brands, including Eco Ring Japan, OWNDAYS, LAB PHARMACY, Studio 7, BANANA, and IT CITY | CSC, enabling visitors to enjoy shopping, technology, and essential services within a single destination.
– Comprehensive Pet Services Happitat extends its destination experience to pet lovers through partnerships with leading pet care brands, including Jerhigh, complemented by dedicated pet services, a 150-square-metre Pet Park, and thoughtfully designed pet-friendly spaces where owners and their pets can exercise, spend quality time together, and become part of a growing pet-loving community.
7. Happiness for Multigenerational Joy At Happitat, every moment shared with family and loved ones is the beginning of meaningful relationships and lasting memories. Designed as a destination for togetherness, Happitat brings people of all generations together—not only by catering to the diverse lifestyles of children, adults, seniors, and even pets, but by creating opportunities for every member of the family to learn, play, connect, and create memories through thoughtfully curated programmes, workshops, and experiences.
Throughout the year, Happitat will come alive with seasonal festivals, signature events, parades, live performances, immersive experiences, and community gatherings designed to create moments of happiness that people can return to again and again. These experiences are seamlessly connected through the Happitat Application on the Amaze Super App, CP Group’s digital platform that integrates services, rewards, and loyalty benefits across the Group’s businesses and partners into a single seamless ecosystem. As part of this connected loyalty programme, Happitat bridges the digital and physical worlds, extending every visit beyond the destination itself.
Beyond its own experiences, Happitat also serves as an open platform for brands, partners, creators, and communities to co-create new ideas, collaborations, and cultural experiences. By continuously welcoming new programmes, partnerships, and conversations, Happitat is designed to remain a vibrant destination where people can reconnect, rediscover, and create new memories together throughout the year.
“When we first began designing Happitat, putting happiness at the heart of every decision was a philosophy that many people were not yet familiar with. Today, I’m encouraged to see more developments placing greater emphasis on nature, well-being, and meaningful experiences. If destinations can play a greater role in enhancing people’s quality of life and creating more happiness, then everyone stands to benefit.
We like to think of it as the butterfly effect. Every significant transformation begins with the smallest flutter of a butterfly’s wings, yet its impact can ripple far beyond where it started. If Happitat has helped spark that shift and inspired happiness to become an important consideration in the way destinations are designed, then that is something we are truly proud of,” Orada Kerdhong concluded.
On 21 August 2026, Happitat will officially open its doors, welcoming visitors to experience a new kind of happiness destination where nature, imagination, innovation, shared experiences, and curated partnerships come together to bring happiness to life.
For the latest news, updates, and more information, follow Happitat Thailand on Facebook or visit http://www.happitatthailand.com/.
Hashtag: #Happitat
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
