{{short description|Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand}} {{redirect|Dusit Thani Hotel|the chain's other hotels|Dusit International#Hotel brands}} {{Infobox building | name = Dusit Thani Bangkok | logo = | image = Hotel Dusit Thani, Bangkok, Tailandia, 2013-08-22, DD 01.jpg | caption = The former hotel building in 2013 | location = 946 Rama IV Rd, Silom, Bang Rak, [[Bangkok]] 10500, [[Thailand]] | coordinates = {{coord|13|43|42|N|100|32|14|E|type:landmark|display=inline,title}} | status = Demolished (original) | opening_date = {{start date and age|1970|2|27}} | closing_date = {{end date and age|2019|1|5}} (original) | demolished_date = 2019–2020 (original) | building_type = Hotel | hotel_chain = [[Dusit International]] | affiliation = | number_of_rooms = 517 | number_of_suites = | number_of_restaurants = 2 | number_of_bars = 2 | facilities = | floor_count = 23 | elevator_count = | website = | floor_area = | architect = [[Yozo Shibata]] | structural_engineer = | main_contractor = Thai Obayashi | developer = | owner = [[Thanpuying Chanut Piyaoui]] | known_for = Longest operating international chain hotel in the Thailand,<br /> First [[star (classification)|5-star]] hotel in Bangkok }}

The '''Dusit Thani Bangkok''', often referred to simply as the '''Dusit Thani Hotel''' ({{langx|th|โรงแรมดุสิตธานี}}), is a luxury hotel in the [[Thailand|Thai]] capital's [[Bang Rak District]]. The original hotel building was the country's tallest building when it opened in 1970 as the first property of [[Dusit International]]. Work on demolishing the building started in 2019 and ended in 2020. The hotel re-opened on the site on September 27, 2024<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.hospitalitynet.org/announcement/41011294.html|title=Thani Bangkok hotel confirms reopening on 27 September 2024 with a stunning new look and elevated guest experience|website=Hospitality Net|access-date=17 July 2024|archive-date=17 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717013711/https://www.hospitalitynet.org/announcement/41011294.html|url-status=live}}</ref> as part of the [[Dusit Central Park]] complex.

==History== The Dusit Thani hotel was founded by hotelier Thanphuying [[Chanut Piyaoui]]. It was her second hotel after the Princess Hotel on [[Charoen Krung Road]], which opened in 1948 and expanded as Bangkok's hospitality industry grew during the [[Cold War]] period. Thanphuying Chanut conceived the Dusit Thani as an internationally recognised luxury hotel to compete with the [[Siam Inter-Continental Hotel]], which had opened in 1966. On a visit to the [[Hotel Okura]] in Tokyo, she became impressed with the hotel's design, and enlisted Japanese architect [[Yozo Shibata]], who had worked on the design team for the Okura, to design her new hotel. Construction was supervised by Tokyo-based [[C. Itoh]], while Thai Obayashi served as the main contractor.<ref name="Art4d">{{cite web |last1=Horyingsawad |first1=Wichit |title=The Magnificent Dusit Thani |url=http://art4d.com/2017/08/magnificent-dusit-thani |website=Art4d |publisher=Corporation 4D Limited |access-date=10 March 2019 |language=en |date=20 August 2017 |archive-date=9 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709115056/http://art4d.com/2017/08/magnificent-dusit-thani |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Memories" /> The name Dusit Thani was borrowed from King [[Vajiravudh|Rama VI]]'s [[Dusit Thani|miniature city project]] which experimented with democracy during the 1920s.<ref name="Memories">{{cite news |last1=Pholdhampalit |first1=Khetsirin |title=Memories of a more gracious time |url=https://www.nationthailand.com/detail/lifestyle/30360437 |access-date=10 March 2019 |work=The Nation |date=15 December 2018 |language=en |archive-date=17 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217143209/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/lifestyle/30360437 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Dusit Thani stood on the former location of [[Ban Saladaeng]], the former residence of the [[Chaophraya Yommarat (Pan Sukhum)]], on the southeast corner of [[Sala Daeng Intersection]], the beginning of [[Si Lom Road]]. Thanphuying Chanut secured a lease from the [[Crown Property Bureau]], which owns the land. The hotel opened on 27 February 1970, initially managed by [[Western International Hotels]], becoming one of Bangkok's first five-star hotels.<ref name="Art4d" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Saengmanee |first1=Pattarawadee |title=A Bangkok Landmark bids farewell |url=https://www.nationthailand.com/detail/thailand/30347588 |access-date=16 March 2019 |work=The Nation |date=13 June 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Sritama |first1=Suchat |title=Final check-out at landmark Dusit Thani postponed |url=https://property.bangkokpost.com/news/1389682/final-check-out-at-landmark-dusit-thani-postponed |access-date=16 March 2019 |work=Bangkok Post |date=3 January 2018 |archive-date=22 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240722122714/https://property.bangkokpost.com/news/1389682/final-check-out-at-landmark-dusit-thani-postponed |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Nebbs |first1=Adam |title=Bangkok's first skyscraper Dusit Thani to face wrecking ball |url=https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/travel/article/2079060/bangkoks-dusit-thani-joins-list-asian-modernist |access-date=8 October 2020 |work=South China Morning Post |date=15 March 2017 |language=en |archive-date=22 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240722122710/https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/travel/article/2079060/bangkoks-dusit-thani-joins-list-asian-modernist |url-status=live }}</ref> The building, 23 storeys high with a triangular cross-section, was topped with a distinctive golden spire; it was the tallest building in the city upon its completion, at {{convert|82|m}} (or {{convert|100|m|abbr=on}} including the spire).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cummings |first1=Joe |title=Bowing Out with Grace |url=https://www.bangkok101.com/bowing-out-with-grace/ |website=Bangkok 101 |access-date=16 March 2019 |date=4 March 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Otley |first1=Tom |title=Hotel review: Dusit Thani Bangkok |url=https://www.businesstraveller.com/tried-and-tested/hotel-review-dusit-thani-bangkok/ |website=Business Traveller |access-date=16 March 2019 |date=21 October 2017 |archive-date=1 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501045556/https://www.businesstraveller.com/tried-and-tested/hotel-review-dusit-thani-bangkok/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The building's design featured [[Modernist architecture|Modernist]] influences as well as traditional Thai motifs such as the ''prachamyam'' patterns decorating its facade.<ref name="Art4d" />

When it opened, the Dusit Thani introduced many novelties to Bangkok's social scene, including a [[discotheque]], ballrooms, and a restaurant on the top floor. The hotel brands itself as emphasising [[Thainess]], from its decor to the conduct of the staff.<ref name="Ground">{{cite news |last1=Mahavongtrakul |first1=Melalin |title=The ground where history stands |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/lifestyle/social-and-lifestyle/1605102/the-ground-where-history-stands |access-date=10 March 2019 |work=Bangkok Post |date=4 January 2019 |archive-date=22 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240722124904/https://www.bangkokpost.com/life/social-and-lifestyle/1605102/the-ground-where-history-stands |url-status=live }}</ref> It is the oldest property of the [[Dusit Thani Company]], whose business has since expanded internationally to include dozens of hotels.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Tuohy |first1=Laurel |title=Dusit Thani: Ahead of the classic Bangkok hotel closing its flagship, VP talks about the future of the brand {{!}} Coconuts Travel |url=https://coconuts.co/travel/dusit-thani-ahead-classic-bangkok-hotel-closing-flagship-vp-talks-about-future-brand/ |website=Coconuts Travel |publisher=Coconuts Media |access-date=10 March 2019 |date=6 July 2018 |archive-date=22 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240722125402/https://coconuts.co/travel/dusit-thani-ahead-classic-bangkok-hotel-closing-flagship-vp-talks-about-future-brand/ |url-status=live }}</ref> By the 2010s, the hotel featured 517 guest rooms, and its list of guests included [[Gwyneth Paltrow]], [[Whitney Houston]], [[Ronald Reagan]] and [[Tom Jones (singer)|Tom Jones]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cripps |first1=Karla |title=Legendary Bangkok hotel prepares to close |url=https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/dusit-thani-bangkok-thailand/index.html |access-date=10 March 2019 |work=CNN Travel |date=9 November 2018 |language=en |archive-date=2 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302195810/http://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/dusit-thani-bangkok-thailand/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In March 2017, the company, in partnership with real estate developer [[Central Pattana]], renewed its lease with the Crown Property Bureau for 30 years (with an extension option of an additional 30 years). It announced plans to redevelop the property as a mixed-use project, titled [[Dusit Central Park]] and worth 36.7&nbsp;billion baht ($1.1bn), which would include residences, retail areas and office space, in addition to a new hotel.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dusit Thani links with CPN on Bt37 bn mixed-use project |url=https://www.nationthailand.com/news/business/corporate/30307674 |access-date=10 March 2019 |work=The Nation |date=2 March 2017 |language=en}}</ref> The hotel remained open until 5 January 2019, after which it closed for redevelopment.<ref>{{cite news |title=Curtain comes down on the iconic Dusit Thani |url=https://www.nationthailand.com/detail/national/30361676 |access-date=10 March 2019 |work=The Nation |date=6 January 2019 |language=en |archive-date=12 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190312190015/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30361676 |url-status=live }}</ref> Meanwhile, the company has partnered with [[Silpakorn University]] to document, archive, and preserve some of the original hotel's artistic and architectural elements.<ref name="Memories" />

The 1970 structure was demolished, and a new mixed-use tower called Dusit Central Park was built on the site. It contains a new 257-room Dusit Thani Bangkok Hotel, opened on September 27, 2024.<ref>https://www.hospitalitynet.org/announcement/41011596.html</ref>

==Gallery== <gallery mode="packed"> File:Dusit Thani Bangkok Demolished 2020.jpg|The building amid demolition as of June 2020 File:Dusit Central Park ดุสิต เซ็นทรัล พาร์ค (under construction) 2021.jpg|Outside of the construction site for the new Dusit Central Park complex, as of 2021 </gallery>

==References== {{commons category|Dusit Thani Bangkok}} {{reflist}}

{{Bang Rak District}}

[[Category:Dusit International]] [[Category:Defunct hotels in Bangkok]] [[Category:Bang Rak district]] [[Category:Hotels established in 1970]] [[Category:Hotel buildings completed in 1970]] [[Category:1970 establishments in Thailand]] [[Category:Modernist architecture in Thailand]] [[Category:Demolished buildings and structures in Bangkok]] [[Category:Demolished hotels]]