Looking at offering a different perspective and experience of Bangkok, some hoteliers take over old mansions along the River to convert them into luxurious boutique hotels with a distinctive historical character. The Siam, the Praya Palazzo and now the Riva Surya are a new generation of hotels aimed to bring back romance to Bangkok.
BANGKOK- A new Bangkok is today emerging which is likely to please distinctive travellers. And this occurs around the Chao Praya River. For decades, the river was seen only as a mean of transportation with boats discharging or sending goods from the nearby Gulf of Thailand. Large hotels settled around Thaksin Bridge in the early seventies until the late nineties, following the Oriental Hotel along Charoen Krung Road.
But it is only recently that Bangkok seems to rediscover its river with many projects popping up along its banks. “ASIATIQUE the Riverfront” has been so far the most exposed renewal project to the public with historical warehouses being converted into what can be considered as one of Bangkok’s newest fashionable leisure and shopping districts. The success of this ambitious revival project has been immediate with both Thai and foreign visitors enjoying to stroll around the river, shop, dine and eventually watch shows…
But more developments are happening along the river, in a rather more discreet way. In the last two years, beautification started along the Chao Praya. And part of it, new hotels located along the river are bringing renewed youth to former grand mansions. With their beautiful architecture, they just enhance the quality of life along the river and add a kind of romantic feeling for visitors looking at enjoying something different in Bangkok. Let start with the Siam, a delightful property composed of four centuries-old teak houses brought by silk tycoon Jim Thompson and owned by his friend Connie Mangskau and complemented by contemporary villas, all offering a unique Thai atmosphere with distinctive charm. The property was taken over by the Sukosol family, one of Thailand’s most famous dynasties of hoteliers.
“The Sukosol family had for a very long time the project to own a distinctively Thai place where contemporary comfort would blend with antiques and memories of old Siam. We are so pleased of the result which brings back our heritage into a way that any visitor can enjoy,” says Melanie Giles-Clapp, Director of Public Relations for the Siam. “We will certainly not make money on this, but we just love it and we love to share our passion for our Thai heritage,” she explains. The hotel offers 39 rooms all with a specific thematic related to Thailand’s history. The Siam is located in the Dusit district where many of Bangkok historical structures – including the beautiful Vimanmek Palace- are to within easy reach.
Facing Khao San road and the elegant structure of the Rama VII Bridge, the Praya Palazzo is another heritage jewel. Previously a private mansion, the house was built during the Rama V reign and reflects the taste of the time for Italian-style architecture. Half abandoned, the building was finally saved and carefully restored by Professor Wichai Pitakvorrarat which spend three years to restore the place to its previous glory and convert it into a atmospheric small boutique hotel with only 17 rooms. “We were unlucky to have been flooded last year. We had to close to renovate again the premises but we are now fully operational and expect a good season ahead,” says Sophie Couturier, the Praya Palazzo General Manager. The hotel is probably the most Italian place to stay in Bangkok and is a welcoming change to more anonymous hotels.
Both hotels were joined yesterday by another property along the river, the Riva Surya Bangkok. This new boutique hotel opened on Phra Athit Road along the bank of Chao Phraya River. Managed by SilverNeedle Hospitality, the hotel will feature 68 rooms ranging from 30m2 to 48m2. All rooms are equipped with free wi-fi, a working space, iPod docking station and DVD player on request. It also offers a restaurant, bar, pool with Jacuzzi and a fitness centre.
*All these properties are likely to be followed by other small-scale developments in a similar way. It might then bring a new quality to tourism along the Chao Praya River. And helps to revive old memories of Siam, which seemed to have disappeared for a long time in other districts of the Thai capital.
Luc Citrinot a French national is a freelance journalist and consultant in tourism and air transport with over 20 years experience. Based in Paris and Bangkok, he works for various travel and air transport trade publications in Europe and Asia.
![[PR] PR_Ascott and Vimut Hospital_2024](https://www.traveldailynews.asia/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PR-PR_Ascott-and-Vimut-Hospital_2024-400x265.jpg)
