Hotels in Bangkok's prominent Ratchaprasong and Silom areas remain closed since protracted civilian unrest forced them to suspend bookings and business (see news).
But with discussions between the protesters and the Thai government appearing to be reaching some compromise, hoteliers’ hopes for normalcy may soon become a reality.
At press time, the Grand Hyatt Erawan, InterContinental, Holiday Inn, Four Seasons, Renaissance, Courtyard by Marriott and Dusit Thani Bangkok were waiting for the Red Shirts to decamp before making any formal announcements about re-opening. Business Traveller, however, understands some were eyeing May 9, 2010 as the date to resume operations.
Dusit Thani, at the corner of Silom and Rama IV where explosions occurred on April 22, 2010, closed for three days until April 25, but resumed bookings after that. “We decided to take some risks,” a spokesperson for the chain said. She added that the hotel was already planning a recovery programme.
High-end shopping malls like Siam Paragon and Gaysorn Plaza have also been victims of the Red-shirt sit outs and have been closed for several weeks now.
Margie T Logarta
