The Power of Thought
60 Years Blending Thai Hospitality and Modern Amenities
‘JJ’ Jeremy Johanson
Dusit Thani – literally meaning ‘Town in Heaven’, a model city with a democratic society whose people would live in freedom and happiness. A utopian concept devised by King Rama VI in 1918.
It is the intelligence and creativity of the human power of thought that can envision an image to subsequently make it materialize in physical form. One of Thailand’s greatest examples of the force of mind is Thanpuying Chanut Piyaoui, founder of Dusit International, who, 60 years ago envisioned a dream and successfully possessed the strength of willpower to make it not only exist, but continually expand and prosper over all these years.
When the family of a young lady, Chanut Piyaoui, sent her to the USA in the 1940’s to broaden her horizons, they never could have imagined the influence this would have on the country of Thailand, and eventually the world, upon her return in 1947.
You see, while in America, she loved staying in hotels there, since they were “efficient, clean, comfortable, and so friendly”. She realized that if these principles could be combined with Thai hospitality and culture, it would surely lead to a winning combination.
At the time, hotels of this standard did not exist in Thailand. So she hoped to build “a place where visitors from abroad would experience a truly Thai welcome in a Thai environment, but with modern amenities in the heart of Bangkok”. Her conviction was so compelling that her family advanced her the necessary funds to be able to open Bangkok’s first modern hotel with a swimming pool, the original Princess, in 1949.
After the triumph of this first endeavour, and subsequent trips abroad, it was during a stay at Tokyo’s Okura Hotel, that she wanted to create an even better hotel of the highest international standards that was truly and uniquely Thai. But this hotel would have an even deeper meaning, representing the very roots of a desired future for the nation and the world.
The land chosen to build this new landmark was opposite Lumpini Park and the statue of King Rama VI, whose own foresight and vision had helped further the modernization of the country, just as Thanpuying was revolutionizing the hotel industry. So she decided to formulate her future concept around a utopian philosophy devised by his Majesty in 1918 – Dusit Thani – literally meaning ‘Town in Heaven’, a model city with a democratic society whose people would live in freedom and happiness.
She wanted people to experience sincere gracious warmth that touches the heart, conveying Thai hospitality and service to all guests. This also led to the creation of Dusit’s four DNA principles, reflecting Thanpuying’s own personal philosophy and key to success:
· To be bold and do great things,
· To pursue perfection,
· To create things that never existed before, and
· To always be true to who you are.
The Dusit Thani opened in 1970, and was the tallest building in Bangkok at the time. Its success was immediate, receiving world acclaim, leading to an expansion that continues to this very day spanning not only hotels, but also educational institutions, to insure that all staff are qualified to deliver distinctively Thai Dusit hospitality, service and quality throughout the entire growing organization.
On the eve of its 60th anniversary, Dusit International comprises five brands – Dusit Thani Hotels & Resorts, DusitD2 Hotels & Resorts, Dusit Princess Hotels & Resorts, Dusit Devarana Hotels & Resorts and Dusit Residence Serviced Apartments – that all embody the philosophy of the ‘Dusit Way of Life’ and the assurance of heart-warming efficient comfort at all levels.
Thanpuying realized; “If Thailand is to be among the world’s leaders in the hotel and hospitality industry, the education and training of staff would be of the most importance.” So Dusit opened its own school in 1993 for individuals to be able to learn and understand all the necessary requirements of the service industry, to each be able to contribute their own personal touch to developing and supporting Thai hotels and tourism-related businesses so that they could reach their full potential.
In 2007, Dusit then partnered with another of the world’s renowned hospitality institutions since 1895, France’s Cordon Bleu cooking institute, after having founded in 2005, the Dusit Executive Development Center providing top-level executive training courses, as well as customized programs, to individuals and organizations in the hospitality industry.
With 15 hotels in Thailand (Bangkok, Hua Hin, Pattaya, Phuket, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Samui, Koh Chang, Korat and Khon Kaen) and two more under construction, Dusit International is realizing Thanpuying’s dream of spreading Thai hospitality around the world.
Dusit now has three international hotels in the Philippines, UAE and Egypt, with another eight under construction to all be completed by 2010. They will all be based on the Dusit trademarks of Thai hospitality, exceptional service levels, as well as value for money.
When questioned on her exceptional achievements, a modest woman who, over half a century ago, simply recognized humanity combined with efficiency, humbly replied; “I just think I’ve been lucky to have found the opportunity to make my contribution to this country that I love, and its hospitality industry, for 60 years.”
.
.
.
.
• Home • 89+ Columns • ‘What Is?’ •
• ThaiWais TV • Why? ThaiWais • About ThaiWais • ’JJ’ •
.
.
ThaiWais 
Leave a comment