The ground where history stands

The ground where history stands

Before the Dusit Thani renews itself, we pay homage to a Thai legend

SOCIAL & LIFESTYLE
The ground where history stands
Dusit Thani Bangkok, at left, stood tall in Bangkok before skyscrapers took over.

After almost five decades as an icon of Thai hospitality and the Bangkok skyline, the five-star Dusit Thani Bangkok will open its door to the public for the last time tomorrow before closing down for a grand renovation.

At the hotel's present location, on Silom and Rama IV Roads, a new mixed-use development complex is planned, with hotel, residence, office space and a shopping mall reportedly included. The new complex is expected to launch in about four years.

"In three-to-four years, we'll come back with our Thainess fully intact, and we'll be even stronger than before to offer the best of Thai hospitality," Chanin Donavanik, a hotel executive and son of founder Thanpuying Chanut Piyaoui, was quoted as saying.

Since its opening in 1970, the legendary Dusit Thani Bangkok has welcomed royalty, A-list celebrities and business executives from around the world. With lots of guests reserving their chance to bid farewell to this long-standing place, not surprisingly Dusit Thani Bangkok has been especially busy as it approaches its finale. In its spacious lobby today, visitors and guests are making a nostalgic trip to relive good old memories -- or even experience the hotel for the first time -- in what could be their final visit to this beloved hotel. Some came for an afternoon tea inside the lobby, or opted for a meal at one of the hotel's restaurants. Others spent the night. A few decided to have functions -- and even weddings -- during these last numbered days in the long history of Dusit Thani Bangkok before a new chapter is set to begin.

Observing these bittersweet moments of farewell was Rattanaporn Wongthong -- the hotel's assistant front-office manager -- who has been working at Dusit Thani Bangkok for 28 years. She is one of the longest-serving currently employed staff members.

"Our lobby has always been lively. It has never gone quiet," said Rattanaporn, gesturing to the fountain and a lady in Thai traditional costume playing khim inside the lobby, a sight and sound that greets all guests checking in and walking around. "Now, especially as we get closer to the hotel's final day, the place is as busy as ever, and will be busy until its last operating hours."

Rattanaporn Wongthong, Dusit Thani Bangkok's assistant front-office manager.

Recalling her own fond memories here, tales overflowed during our conversation as we sat inside the lobby, which has been Rattanaporn's workplace and second home for about half her life. After almost three decades, she sure had a lot to share. Rattanaporn recalled the time she received a personal thank-you note from a VIP guest for her attentive service, seeing Ali MacGraw from the film Love Story, helping to set up a room for Jackie Chan, overseeing room assignments for Miss Universe contestants, and even having her own wedding here all those years ago.

"I've been impressed with this place since Day 1," said Rattanaporn, referring to the time she came for a job interview in 1990. The grand hotel was quite a startling scene for a rural kid like her, she added. "The lobby was huge and beautiful, the guests sophisticated and well-mannered. We're always in a good work environment and society here."

One thing Rattanaporn noted, and felt was a quality that set Dusit Thani apart from all other hotels in Bangkok, was its Thainess. Beyond Thai costumes and decor and even the Thai music playing in its lobby are the mannerisms and conduct of the staff, who learned through the example of its founder, Thanpuying Chanut.

"We'd always greet guests first with a wai, not a handshake. We learned this from Thanpuying Chanut, who always wais us first and speaks kindly to us."

Dusit Thani Bangkok was launched in 1970, upholding and exemplifying its Thainess in a time when Western culture was the rage in the country. It was also one of the first five-star accommodations here. At the time of its completion, Dusit Thani -- with its name meaning a town in heaven -- was the tallest building, soaring above the Bangkok skyline with its iconic golden spire before skytrain and skyscrapers took over. It also became the first flagship hotel in the now-expanded chain of Dusit International, which operates hotels and resorts all over the world.

Since its establishment, Dusit Thani Bangkok has been a pioneer in different areas within the Bangkok hospitality landscape. Rattanaporn recalled how the hotel was among the first to adopt new technology when it came to operating systems for front-office use, going into computers when others were still operating manually. She said it was also one of the first to change from traditional keys to a keycard system.

A traditional performance served as entertainment for dining guests inside the hotel's Sukhothai restaurant before it was later revamped to today's Benjarong restaurant.

As for its facilities, in those early days, a hotel meant simply a place for accommodation, not for hosting functions or catering. But Dusit Thani came fully functional and became an integral part of the Bangkokian social scene with its discotheque, ballroom, in-house Thai restaurant with cultural performances and music ensembles, and even had a restaurant on the top floor of the hotel -- which was new in the country at the time.

Rattanaporn later showed us to the renowned Napalai Ballroom, with its ornate gate featuring bronze handles in the shape of a singha head. The place has held countless charity functions, press conferences and high-profile weddings through the decades. In the past, it was also a popular venue for fashion shows.

"We also used to put together a show for big groups of guests here as well. Our own staff would display their skills in fruit-carving and the guests were really fascinated by it," she said. The practice isn't done these days, as the hotel doesn't have as many staff members due to a changing business model. "When night fell, people used to arrive in gorgeous dresses to attend functions. Our discotheque Bubbles was also open every night. It was one of the first nightclubs in a Thai hotel. We were able to hear music from it all the time. People were socialising and relaxing. Drinks were sold for 500 baht per glass. And people wouldn't leave until about 2am," she said.

After reflecting on the past for quite some time, Rattanaporn spoke of her future plans following Dusit Thani Bangkok's closure. As she's retiring this year, she plans to continue with hospitality work and guest services, though focusing on coaching instead. She wishes to share what she's learned from her time at the hotel to younger generations in the industry.

The eventual, inevitable goodbye will be sad, Rattanaporn admitted, but she's since learned to cope with it.

"I have to say, I've been happy from the very beginning to the end, and very proud, too, to be a part of this place and its legacy," she said. "But now it is time. Everything has to change at some point. And if it's for the better, so why not embrace it?"

Above The bronze handles of doors to the Napalai Ballroom.

A staff serving Thai desserts inside the lobby.

A vintage collection of photos displayed inside the hotel.

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