News

Dusit Thani Bangkok closes as unrest escalates

17 May 2010

With rapid gunfire and explosions rocking Bangkok before dawn today, the management of Dusit Thani hotel on Silom Road decided  to shut down the upscale property.

Guests staying at the 517-room hotel were advised to check out by noon today, although a few - mostly foreign journalists - have remained in residence.

According to reports, the police have confirmed that three M79 grenades were fired at the 14th and 22nd floor as well as the front of the hotel around midnight on Sunday.

No one was hurt in the grenade attacks.

"We are extremely saddened by the escalating situation. We have not, and do not, condone the use of our premises for any act of violence," said Dusit International CEO Chanin Donavanik in a statement.

He also denied reports that the grenade attacks occurred inside the hotel.

"We can assure you that the reports of such activity from Dusit Thani Bangkok are completely false. The matter is now under police investigation."

He added that the hotel sustained some superficial damage to the exterior of the building in an unoccupied area.

Meanwhile, a hotel spokeswoman told Business Traveller that the property expects to be closed until May 24.

"We hope to reopen in time with the resumption of classes next week."

She added that the hotel management has aligned the duration of the closure in line with the government's suspension of school openings, which was supposed to start this week.

Gigi Onag

Loading comments...

Search Flight

See a whole year of Reward Seat Availability on one page at SeatSpy.com

Business Traveller March 2024 edition
Business Traveller March 2024 edition
Be up-to-date
Magazine Subscription
To see our latest subscription offers for Business Traveller editions worldwide, click on the Subscribe & Save link below
Polls