A Singapore banker was on Page 1 of The Straits Times on Nov 8, 1965, for breaking off his engagement to a Thai beauty. Mr Hsuan Owyang, assistant general manager of the Overseas Union Bank, had become engaged in May the same year to Ms Saovanee Vorapanyasakul, a runner-up in the Miss Thailand beauty contest.

Rumours that their relationship was on the rocks had emerged months earlier, with Mr Owyang reportedly wanting to live in Singapore while Ms Saovanee wanted to remain in Thailand. They had been introduced by friends.

Mr Owyang was represented by his aunt and a friend in a ceremony in Bangkok where the betrothal rings were returned. His $15,000 diamond-studded ring to Ms Saovanee was resold to a gold shop in Bangkok, while her platinum ring was returned to her.

"The engagement was definitely broken off at the end of September," said Mr Owyang, who later went on to hold positions such as chairman of the Housing Board.