Key to hotel success

NEWS Makers

For Naphaporn "Lek" Bodiratnangkura - dubbed "Thailand's Paris Hilton" - the heart of hotel management is nothing but people.

Naphaporn Bodiratnangkura

"More people, more mess," she said with a giggle, "I think 'people' are the most challenging aspect of the hotel industry. We have to understand each other and need a tune-up. At the same time, the key to success are the people as well, not only myself or my staff but also my family who always support me and all the customers, who always come first."

Being among those on the top list of the hi-so circles known for her dress-to-kill style, the 29-year-old has been serving as the assistant managing director of Nai Lert Park Hotel Company for six years. She admitted that back when she first graduated with a bachelor's degree in international hospitality management from the University of Surrey in Britain, she was so stubborn and arrogant that she hardly listened to anyone, even to her grandmother Thanpuying Lursakdi Sampatisiri. Yet, she said, after working full-time with many of the hotel staff for a little while, she changed her stubborn ways little by little.

"Five years ago, I used to think that I was already mature and needed not to listen to others' opinions. But when I look at myself again today, I've in fact become even more mature than those days. I am now more reasonable and more responsible."

Naphaporn's human resource management strategy is also applied to the hotel's upcoming 23rd signature flower show in which the new-face hotel entrepreneur handled almost every process of the event's organisation. But when asked whether she is the show's project leader, she nodded with a little hesitation before adding that the word "leader" means nothing if there are no supporters and collaborators.

"Myself alone cannot carry all these [tasks] out. Everybody has a hand in it from the very first step. I don't want to take all the credit," commented Naphaporn, adding that the full-of-activity flora show is the only big annual fest of the hotel; therefore, she hopes that it will attract lots of people so that they become a part of this charity event.

"This year, the proceeds of the flower show will be given to Umphang Wittayakom School in Tak province. It is the first year that we've contributed to a charity to help with children's education. I intended to give them what they really need, something that really benefits them such as computers, and not the things that they already have," she explained about the charity.

When it comes to the future of her family's hotel, Naphaporn is certain that the business will continue to grow despite the current national and global economic slump.

"Everything is going to be better, of course. There's no need to wait for another five or 10 years. Even tomorrow, things can be better if you want them to be. It depends on your determination. If you really want to achieve something, it is the 'what' and the 'how' that really matters."

Despite living these days with quite a tight work schedule - being a part of the social scene and a part of her hotel business - Naphaporn is happy with the life she has. Her secret recipe, she said, is to have confidence and faith in everything that she's up to.

"I really enjoy working. It is like falling in love with my favourite hobby. If one day you wake up and feel that you are sick of the thing you do and stop being happy with it, I bet you don't enjoy working any more." 'Flower Fantasy' is from Thursday until Sunday, November 29, at the Swissotel Nai Lert Park, Wireless Road. Call 02-253-0123.