BANGKOK -- Thai tycoons are spending big on the ailing prestige of some of Europe's oldest department stores and buying into the continent's premier soccer clubs.

The KaDeWe in Berlin, the largest department store in Germany, is going to become part of Thailand's Central Group. © Reuters
BANGKOK -- Thai tycoons are spending big on the ailing prestige of some of Europe's oldest department stores and buying into the continent's premier soccer clubs.