International Hotel Chains continue to play Musical chairs in Bangkok

The 338-room Hilton International Nai Lert Park hotel, a city landmark, is currently operated by the Hilton International Co. It will be rebranded "Nai Lert Park Bangkok, a A Raffles International Hotel" from January 1, 2004.

The management agreement has signed been by Thanpuying Lursakdi Sampatisiri, Honorary Chairperson of Nai Lert Park Hotel Co., Ltd. and Ms Jennie Chua President & Chief Executive Officer of Raffles Holdings Limited, and concurrently Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Raffles International Limited

The hotel is centrally located in the heart of Bangkok's diplomatic, business, and shopping areas. Set in the midst of the 8.5-acre Nai Lert Park, which occupies more than half the property, this low-rise architectural retreat is accented by landscaped gardens, ponds, and a water feature. All the 338 guestrooms have a private balcony overlooking either the lush gardens or the spectacular city skyline.

The hotel is 20 minutes from Don Muang International Airport and is a 5 minutes walk from two Skytrain Stations along the Sukhumvit Line, namely the Ploenchit and Chitlom stations. It is also just minutes from the major business and shopping district.

Hilton International Co. has managed Nai Lert Park Hotel Co., Ltd. property for 20 years commencing since September 30, 1983. Senior executives of Nai Lert Park Hotel Co., Ltd. describe the partnership as excellent and note that the decision to part company on December 31, 2003 was very amicable due to expiration of the management agreement between them.

The decision of the Nai Lert Park Hotel Co., Ltd. to tie up with the Raffles brand and its globally acclaimed hotel management arm is designed to underpin the hotel’s new business direction, and to respond to the complex challenges and dynamic growth of Thailand’s hospitality industry.

Mr Prakit Pradipasen, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Nai Lert Park Hotel Co., Ltd. said, “We are very pleased to be working with a well-respected international hotel chain such as Raffles International. With its track record of managing hotels which are leaders in their respective competitive sets, we are confident that Nai Lert Park Bangkok is in good hands.”

“I would also like to express my appreciation for Hilton International’s long-standing relationship with the company. Their dedication over the years has made Hilton International Bangkok at Nai Lert Park, one of Bangkok’s leading 5-star hotels.” Mr Prakit added.

According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), 10.8 million tourists visited the country last year. This was an increase of 7.3% from 2001.

Ms Chua adds, “This management agreement gives us an excellent opportunity to strengthen our presence in Thailand.”