9 signature elements integrated into new Dusit Thani Bangkok,Returning the Thai-cultural hospitality to the world

Dusit Thani Bangkok has been a sophisticated source of vivid memories and beautiful reminiscences since its prestigious opening in 1970. Chronicled with multidecadal elegance, the name has become synonymous with gracious Thai hospitality extended to guests and visitors, including Thai and international dignitaries from across the world. Over the years, the property has also evolved into a treasure-trove of architecture and Thai art with its architectural richness and great works of art from different times, which storied the identity of Dusit Thani Bangkok with subtle aesthetics both in the interiors and the exteriors. These signature elements are being reintroduced to fascinate Thai and international guests and visitors again when the newly built Dusit Thani Bangkok at Dusit Central Park reopens in September this year.

“With a determination to take Thailand’s hospitality and tourism industries to new heights, Thanpuying Chanut Piyaoui, the founder of Dusit Thani Bangkok, not only built a prominent hotel that embodied the beauty of Bangkok, but also incorporated various aspects of Thai identity into this hotel to present Thainess to the world,” Ms. Suphajee Suthumpun, Group Chief Executive Officer of Dusit Thani Public Company Limited, recounted. “Today, more than half a century since, Dusit Thani Bangkok continues to be one of the country’s most prestigious hotels, and we stay true to our commitment to preserving Thai art and culture. Among our top priorities alongside building a new, modernized Dusit Thani Bangkok, we are inspired to keep these invaluable works of art and architecture alive as art and cultural heritage for generations to come. This will also provide a sentimental value to the guests, clientele, and visitors who have formed an emotional connection with Dusit Thani Bangkok further on. To achieve this mission, we enlisted the help of faculty members and team of experts from Silpakorn University to keep record of the old property’s elements that are worthy of conservation when our temporary business closure began in 2019. Of all signature elements of Dusit Thani Bangkok, we have listed nine top picks to share the stories to the public, namely Golden Spire, Golden Façade, Library 1918, Trees from Original Dusit Thani Bangkok, Signature Cascading Waterfall, Signature Lobby’s Ceiling, Decorative Lobby’s Screens, Benjarong Pillars, and Heritage Suites. All of them will be reintroduced to captivate Thai and international guests and visitors again within Dusit Thani Bangkok at Dusit Central Park.”

1. Golden Spire: An icon of Bangkok’s skyline

The Golden Spire at the top of the original property was designed over half a century ago by Japanese architect Mr. Yozo Shibata of Kanko Kikaku Sekkeisha (KKS) with inspiration drawn from the central spire of the Temple of Dawn. Since then, the Golden Spire has become an unmistakable icon of Dusit Thani Bangkok. To return the familiar sight to Bangkok skyline with a contemporary touch of modern-day time and match better with larger proportions of the newly built 39-storey hotel, Dusit Thani Bangkok has recreated a larger lattice Golden Spire in which the original Golden Spire is gracefully housed. In addition to resuming its prestigious status as one of Bangkok’s most recognizable landmarks, the new Golden Spire will triple as a time capsule of the hotel’s legacy and a check-in spot overlooking an expansive view of the Thai capital.
 
2. Golden Façade: Encapsulating prosperity

)Besides exquisite details taken from Thai architecture, Dusit Thani Bangkok features plenty of auspicious design elements, most notably the Golden Façade with symmetric arrangement based on feng shui principles for good auspices. The original Golden Façade inspired modernized façade of the new Dusit Thani Bangkok. In addition, when guests take a photo of the window view from within their rooms, the frame element of this new façade can add to the composition as a unique Golden Photography Frame with panoramic view of the famous Lumpini Park in the background—a precious opportunity to capture special moments as memento of their scenic stay at Dusit Thani Bangkok.
 
3. Library 1918: In Commemoration of King Vajiravudh (Rama VI)

Prior to Library 1918, this space served as an Italian restaurant and a tearoom that also prepared offerings to the royal monument of King Rama VI. Following renovation for a new purpose as a meeting room, it was redecorated with elaborately handcrafted pieces of perforated wood panels and royal portraits of King Rama VI alongside an exhibit of the King’s personal belongings. This collection honored the King as the creator of Dusit Thani miniature model city as an experiment in democratic constitution in 1918. The room was used for important small gatherings, such as Thai engagements and royal private dinners for visiting royalties as well as Thai and foreign dignitaries.
 
4. Trees from Original Dusit Thani Bangkok: The memorial trees, planted by Thanpuying Chanut Piyaoui

The return of Dusit Thani Bangkok will bring back the tropical botanical garden that reiterates the project’s commitment to upstream-to-downstream care for the environment and attention to every detail, in line with the company’s vision that prioritizes green foliage and creating relaxing environment for the guests. The two plumeria trees originally planted by Thanpuying Chanut at the waterfall have been relocated to a nursery during the project’s construction. When Dusit Thani Bangkok reopens, these two commemorative trees will be replanted within property again. And with a belief of Mr. Chanin Donavanik that property development should contribute to urban and community development, this project features an 11,200 sq.m. Roof Park that is accessible for all, providing the public with a place to relax and enjoy their recreational activities.
 
5. Signature Cascading Waterfall: A heavenly waterfall

A nine-step waterfall has greeted guests and visitors of Dusit Thani Bangkok with its tranquilizing and cooling effects for a long time. It is comprised of a three-step upper section that refers to traibhumi or the three worlds in Buddhist cosmology, and a six-step lower section that stands for six levels of heaven. The number of steps altogether makes a nine, an auspicious number that Dusit Thani Bangkok’s Founder Thanpuying Chanut was attached to. The waterfall was surrounded by a variety of flowering plants. In its return, this Signature Cascading Waterfall will create a restful, refreshing ambience for the guests and visitors on a larger space with better perfection.
 
6. Signature Lobby’s Ceiling: A glow of warm welcome from the gold lobby ceiling

The stepped ceiling in the ground-level lobby of the new Dusit Thani Bangkok blends modernism with the iconic ceiling design of the old Dusit Thani Bangkok. Based on quadrate shape, this stepped ceiling in gold creates continuity from the drop off area outside into the lobby inside the building. Brilliant integration of lighting design adds up interesting visual dimensions for aesthetics, resulting in a new lobby space blessed with beautiful signature to receive esteemed guests and immediately recognizable every time they revisit the hotel.
 
7. Decorative Lobby’s Screens: Thai Identity Depiction

The curves are inspired by sintao, an element in traditional Thai mural paintings, but adjusted to cloud shape lookalike to make a conceptual reference to Dusit, the heavenly realm that the hotel is named after. These Decorative Lobby’s Screens exude grace that will keep visitors spellbound. The pattern on the screens inside the frames is inspired by the iconic ceiling and column structure design of the old Dusit Thani Bangkok, which was highly regarded as an excellent representation of contemporary Thai architecture. The original ceiling and column structure design drew its artistic inspiration from a lotus pond painting by Khrua In Khong, one of the most celebrated Thai artists between 1850s and 1860s. Lotus flowers carry a special allusion to Buddhism; they emerge to the light and warmth, which is symbolic of enlightenment. Derived from the growth of lotus, this design concept evokes an experience of walking beneath a lotus pond.
 
8. Benjarong Pillars: The masterpieces of Thai handicraft

Inseparable from Dusit Thani Bangkok for more than fifty years are two immense Benjarong main pillars that weigh over ten tons combined. They are treasured pieces of art that embody the spirit of Dusit Thani and has now been brought back as an identity that interlinks times. Elaborate details of Thai paintings on the pillars are masterpieces by “Tan Kudt” or Ajarn Paiboon Suwannakudt, one of the first-batch students of Ajarn Silpa Bhirasri. To create these designs, he researched and interpreted Thai paintings at Wat Po to analyze the use of colors and design motifs before starting off his painting. These masterpieces will attract visitors to fully discover Thai art based on the project’s intention to keep invaluable Thai heritage alive.
 
9. Heritage Suites: Expression of Thai style perfected

Since its opening, Dusit Thani Bangkok’s suites have been exemplars of Thai opulence celebrated by Thai and international guests alike, thanks to unique combination of design and décor with subtle expression of Thai cultures and ways of life. For example, luk fak patterns and pakon wall panels of traditional Thai houses were used as decorative elements. Headboards were decorated with hand embroidery designs that convey the meaning of heaven, whereas the discerning selections of furniture played with graceful curvature of Thai design to add contemporary appeals to the rooms overall. With the reopening, all the new 257 guest rooms will be more spacious and provide full view of the green expanse of Lumpini Park through expansive floor-to-ceiling windows, bordered in luxury gold color to embellish these beautiful moments. This is complemented by elegantly designed window seating where tranquility of nature can be seamlessly appreciated from within the rooms. The interior design of Dusit Thani Bangkok is crafted by internationally acclaimed interior design firm André Fu Studio with special thoughts on the continuity of the past and present to bring the heritage to perfection. 
 
Preserving these treasured remembrances reflects Dusit Thani Bangkok’s commitment to unremitting care and attention to detail. This will establish its storied legacy on a solid foundation of graceful Thai history and culture, and fuse them with evolving identity and changes of modern-day time to present contemporary Thai personality of this Bangkok landmark. Dusit Thani Bangkok will bring to life an upscale lifestyle experience in every dimension along with the renowned gracious hospitality, in line with the intention of its founder to bring Thainess to the world. The new Dusit Thani Bangkok is set to welcome everyone upon its reopening this September as part of Dusit Central Park, the world-class complete mixed-use development project in Bangkok super core CBD. For news updates, please visit dusit.com.”
 
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