Dusit Hotel
Overview
Dusit Hotel is a collective term for the hotel brands operated by Dusit International, a global hospitality company headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand. It originated from the 'Princess Hotel' established by Thanpuying Chanut Piyaoui on New Road in Bangkok in 1948, and is regarded as the brand with the longest history among indigenous Thai hotel groups. The name 'Dusit' derives from the Thai word meaning 'heaven' or 'paradise'.
Main Content
Origins and History
In 1948, founder Chanut Piyaoui opened the Princess Hotel, one of Thailand's first modern hotels. In 1970, the company opened Dusit Thani Bangkok in central Bangkok, making a full-scale entry into the luxury hotel market, and the hotel established itself over decades as a Bangkok landmark and a symbol of Thailand's hospitality industry. Through the 1980s and 1990s, it began expanding overseas and extended its network to the Philippines, Dubai, Egypt, the Maldives, and elsewhere.
Brand Portfolio
Dusit International operates not a single brand but a multi-layered brand portfolio.
- Dusit Thani: The group's flagship luxury brand, characterized by a combination of Thai culture and modern service.
- dusitD2: A lifestyle brand targeting younger travelers and business travelers, consisting mainly of urban design hotels.
- Dusit Princess: A midscale brand offering services at reasonable prices.
- Dusit Suites and Dusit Residence: Target long-stay and residence-type accommodation demand.
- ASAI Hotels: A value-focused lifestyle brand launched in 2019, emphasizing small rooms and connections with local communities.
- Elite Havens: Operates a luxury villa rental business in Asia.
Business Structure and Management
In addition to hotel operations, it has diversified its revenue structure through hotel management contracts, brand licensing, restaurant and spa operations, and real estate development. Its own spa brand Devarana Spa, food and beverage brands, and banquet and MICE businesses are also important pillars of group revenue. After Suphajee Suthumpun became group CEO in 2017, the asset-light strategy and brand diversification accelerated.
Education and Service Business
Dusit Thani College, established in 1993, has established itself as a specialized hotel and tourism education institution in Thailand, and later developed into the Dusit Hospitality Management School, serving as a talent pipeline. This is regarded as a key means by which the group internally controls service quality.
Global Network
Dusit has operated and developed hotels and resorts in more than 20 countries, including throughout Thailand as well as in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and North America. It has major bases in particular in Thailand, the Philippines, the United Arab Emirates, China, Japan, and the Maldives, and recently has been pursuing expansion into Saudi Arabia and emerging Southeast Asian cities.
Recent Developments
After Dusit Thani Bangkok was demolished in 2019, it reopened in September 2024 after about five years, restoring the group's symbolism. The reopened hotel is a core facility of the landmark mixed-use development project Dusit Central Park, located within a high-rise complex created as a joint venture with Central Pattana. In 2024–2025, expansion of value-focused lines centered on the ASAI brand, winning management contracts in the Middle East and Saudi Arabia, and setting environmental and sustainability (ESG) certifications and carbon reduction targets are emerging as key strategies. In addition, in line with the recovery of travel demand in Asia, it is increasing investment in the resort and residence sectors, and focusing on securing loyal customers by upgrading its digital booking and membership program (Dusit Discovery).
Related Topics
- [[Hospitality Industry]]
- [[Thai Tourism Industry]]
- [[Luxury Hotel Brands]]
- [[Bangkok]]
- [[Hotel Management Contracts]]
- [[MICE Industry]]