Scheduled to open in the second quarter of 2024, the 133-key Radisson Hotel Ploenchit Bangkok will revitalize the hospitality scene in Bangkok’s commercial hub, with this refreshed property offering a new level of comfort for guests.
BANGKOK, June 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Radisson Hotel Group will expand its presence in one of Bangkok’s most dynamic downtown districts with the signing of Radisson Hotel Ploenchit Bangkok, formerly known as the Chateau de Bangkok. The 133-key contemporary upscale hotel is located on Soi Ruamrudee, surrounded by upmarket lifestyle malls, restaurants, and a thriving commercial center. The property is situated only 400 meters from the US Embassy and just moments from Ploenchit BTS skytrain station.
Artist Impression of the Radisson Hotel Ploenchit Bangkok
The signing of Radisson Hotel Ploenchit Bangkok marks the continuation of Radisson Hotel Group’s expansion in Thailand. The Group intends to double its footprint in Thailand from five hotels in 2022 to ten hotels by mid-2024 as it establishes its presence further in key destinations, including Bangkok, Phuket, Hua Hin, and Pattaya.
Prior to the pandemic, Thailand was the second most visited country in Asia and the Thai government has forecast that tourism revenues will reach about 80% of pre-COVID levels in 2023[¹]. “As Thailand’s capital and gateway city with a wide range of attractions for every type of traveler, Bangkok is a hugely important market for Radisson Hotel Group in a country where we already have seven hotels in operation. The addition of the new Radisson Hotel Ploenchit Bangkok will revitalize the hospitality scene further to become a leading place to stay, meet, and dine when it opens in 2024,” said David Nguyen, Managing Director, Indochina and Strategic Partnerships, South East Asia & Pacific, Radisson Hotel Group.
Ramzy Fenianos, Chief Development Officer, Asia Pacific added, “We have a clear brand architecture with globally recognized brands that have been developed and conceptualized to cater to the needs of guests and owners, from economy to luxury. The signing of Radisson Hotel Ploenchit Bangkok reaffirms our confidence in the long-term future of this iconic tourism destination and regional economic hub.”
“The Radisson brand is one of the most renowned hotel brands in the hospitality industry with a reputation around the world for its attention to detail – both in terms of design, and in delivering guest experiences. The Group’s established presence in Bangkok with its portfolio of successful properties and the support of a local development team, make Radisson Hotel Group the perfect partner to support us and drive the commercial success of the property. Together, we look forward to welcoming guests to our refreshed Radisson branded hotel, and to delivering an unrivalled guest experience from the moment they book, to when they check out,” commented Lalivan Karnchanachari, Chateau de Bangkok Co., Ltd.
Major investments are underway for the Radisson Hotel Ploenchit Bangkok, with the property undergoing significant renovations to transform it into a world-class Radisson property. Upon opening in the second quarter of 2024, the upscale hotel will offer a timeless appeal and a relaxed environment for guests whether they are travelling domestically or internationally.
Rooms and suites range from 30 to 93 square meters and will offer Radisson’s Brilliant Basics program with signature bedding and state-of-the-art amenities. In addition, the hotel will serve extended stay segment with serviced apartments that offer a spacious living area and a fully equipped kitchenette. Guests can savor Thai and international cuisine at the all-day dining restaurant, grab refreshments at the café, and unwind at the fitness center or outdoor pool. Event spaces include a 187-square meter ballroom, two flexible function rooms and a large pre-function area which makes it an ideal location for wide range of corporate and social events, from business meetings, conferences and training sessions to special occasions, gala evenings and weddings in the center of the city. With its “Simply Delightful” hospitality and intuitive “Yes I Can” service philosophy, Radisson provides a thoughtfully considered experience with unexpected touches to make every stay truly memorable.
To learn more about Radisson Hotel Group, please visit www.radissonhotels.com.
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RADISSON HOTEL GROUP
The Radisson family of brands can be found around the world in more than 120 countries, with currently over 1,700 hotels in operation and under development. Radisson Hotel Group operates the business in EMEA and APAC with over 1,150 hotels in operation and under development. The international hotel group is rapidly growing with a plan to significantly grow the portfolio. The Group’s overarching brand promise is Every Moment Matters with a signature Yes I Can! service ethos.
The Radisson family of brands portfolio includes Radisson Collection, art’otel, Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson RED, Radisson Individuals, Park Plaza, Park Inn by Radisson, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, and prizeotel brought together under one commercial umbrella brand Radisson Hotels.
Radisson Rewards is Radisson Hotel Group’s loyalty program, which delivers an elevated experience that makes Every Moment Matter. As the most streamlined program in the sector, members enjoy exceptional advantages and can access their benefits from day one across a wide range of hotels in Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific.
Radisson Meetings provides tailored solutions for any event or meeting, including hybrid solutions placing guests and their needs at the heart of its offer. Radisson Meetings is built around three strong service commitments: Personal, Professional and Memorable, while delivering on the brilliant basics and being uniquely 100% Carbon Neutral.
At Radisson Hotel Group we care for people, communities and planet and aim to be Net Zero by 2050 based on the approved near-term Science Based Targets. With unique solutions such as 100% carbon neutral Radisson Meetings, we make sustainable hotel stays easy. To facilitate sustainable travel choices, all our hotels are becoming verified on Hotel Sustainability Basics.
The health and safety of guests and team members remain a top priority for Radisson Hotel Group. All properties across the Group’s portfolio are subject to health and safety requirements, ensuring we always care for our guests and team members.
For more information, visit our corporate website. Or connect with Radisson Hotels on:
LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube
ABOUT RADISSON
Radisson is an upscale hotel brand that offers Scandinavian inspired hospitality, which enables guests to find more harmony in their travel experience. With natural surroundings and unexpected delights, Radisson inspires the art of being in the moment. We are committed to helping our guests find the right balance for their stay, removing the discomforts travelling may bring and enabling them to switch off and relax, using our Yes I Can! attitude to ensure satisfaction of every guest. Radisson hotels can be found in suburban and city settings, near airports and leisure destinations. Guests and professional business partners can enhance their experience with Radisson by participating in Radisson Rewards, an international loyalty program offering exceptional benefits and rewards.
Radisson is part of the Radisson family of brands, which also includes Radisson Collection, art’otel, Radisson Blu, Radisson RED, Radisson Individuals, Park Plaza, Park Inn by Radisson, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, and prizeotel brought together under one commercial umbrella brand Radisson Hotels.
For reservations and more information, visit our website. Or connect with Radisson on:
LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube
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(Yonhap) |
More than four out of 10 South Korean conglomerates plan to cut back on their investment both at home and abroad this year amid a global economic slowdown and worsening market conditions, a survey by the state-run trade agency has showed.
According to the recent survey by the Korea International Trade Association (KITA), 47 percent of 1,327 companies having overseas sales of US$500,000 or more last year forecast that business circumstances will deteriorate this year. Some 16.9 percent of the respondents expected a turnaround.
Over such a gloomy outlook, 29.5 percent of the companies decided to reduce investment at home in the new year and 27.5 percent to slash overseas investment.
Of large-sized companies, 43 percent said they will scale down their investment both at home and abroad, the survey showed.
By sector, 45 percent of the semiconductor firms surveyed, or the largest share among all sectors, said they will slash fresh investment in 2023, according to the survey.
“The fall in investment by large conglomerates could hurt the country’s overall exports performance and corporate competitiveness in the global market. It is needed to swiftly implement various tax incentives and other measures to revitalize investment sentiment,” a KITA official said.
South Korea has been struggling with weakening exports momentum and growing trade deficit in recent months on high energy prices, supply chain disruptions and a global economic downturn over aggressive monetary tightening.
In 2022, the country’s exports rose 6.1 percent on-year, but it suffered the largest ever yearly trade deficit. For December, exports fell 9.5 percent, extending the losing streak to the third consecutive month.
The government said exports are forecast to mark a 4.5 percent decline in 2023. The Bank of Korea projected in November that the national economy would grow 1.7 percent in 2023.
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Four animals rescued from Lee Ki-young’s home on Dec. 29 (KARMA) |
Murder suspect Lee Ki-young’s four pets have all been adopted, avoiding the alternative of euthanasia.
All three cats and a dog left in Lee’s residence were sent to their new families, who had watched reports about the pets and applied for adoption, according to the Paju, Gyeonggi Province, city government and the Korea Animal Rescue and Management Association.
The pets were rescued from Lee’s home in Paju on Dec. 29, three days after Lee was apprehended on suspicion of murdering a taxi driver and hiding the body in his closet.
KARMA was able to rescue and protect the pets thanks to police who secured them from Lee, the legal owner of the pets, during the investigation.
But the animals had been at risk of being put down as unadopted animals are generally put to death 10 to 20 days after being placed on waiting lists in South Korea.
Lee had kept the pets since he was with his former live-in girlfriend, whom he also confessed to murdering in August.
It’s unclear whether the animals had been abused, but a local media outlet broadcast video footage showing Lee laughing as he put a leashed Siamese cat into a pool.
Meanwhile, Korea Animal Rights Advocates on Monday called for the government to take action to protect pets left after crimes on a post on its Facebook page.
“As animals cannot express the abuse that they suffered in language, they are left in the cold without getting due protection even though they are found at the crime scene,” the animal rights advocacy group said.
By Lim Jae-seong (forestjs@heraldcorp.com)
Legoland Korea Resort, a theme park located in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province that opened in May in partnership with a local developer, does not plan to cut back on its operations and will fund any further expansion itself, regardless of the developer’s recent default, the UK-based attractions operator Merlin Entertainments told The Korea Herald last week.
“Any plans Merlin has for future investment are wholly financed by itself,” a spokesperson for Merlin said in an email.
But whether the company will lodge a legal complaint against Gangwon Province — which had allegedly tried to pull back from the partnership agreement without sufficient grounds, prompting the default — is still uncertain, because details of the deal could not be disclosed.
“Neither Merlin Entertainments Group nor its wholly owned subsidiary, LEGOLAND Korea Resort (LLKR) are at liberty to disclose details of the agreement with Gangwon Province as we are under a contractual obligation of confidentiality,” the Merlin spokesperson added.
Early in October, Gangwon Jungdo Development Corp, the local developer, defaulted on 205 billion won ($145 million) in bond payments due on Sept. 29, in a blow to market expectations for a government guarantee. The firm was set to enter into rehabilitation for fiscal austerity — a decision the Gangwon governor quickly went back on after being assailed for floating a “politically-charged,” half-baked plan since Kim Jin-tae, the first-term governor, had enough resources to make the deal work.
He hurriedly advanced the payment deadline to Dec. 15 from Jan. 29 next year, but the fiasco had already upended the bond and short-term money markets. Investors were rattled by what they saw as the transactional nature of a government guarantee. To restore market calm, the government, central bank and even the country’s banking giants upon the government request put together a funding backstop to contain the risks of growing liquidity stress.
“It’s like a bomb blast ripping through the markets because the top-rated asset-backed commercial papers instantly became junk. Who would have really thought that was possible? It’s an all-bets-are-off situation for investors now,” said Hwang Sei-woon, a senior research fellow at the Korea Capital Market Institute.
The fallout is palpable. According to the latest data that Korea Electric Power Corp. revealed Sunday, the top-rated state firm had failed to get enough bidders for its bonds last month for the first time in three years. The “Legoland crisis” was what had prompted the unexpected gap, the firm told Rep. Chung Il-young of the Democratic Party of Korea in a submission asked by the lawmaker sitting on the National Assembly’s trade committee.
Two other top-rated state companies — Korea Gas Corp. and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Co. — suffered more from a lack of bidders for their AAA rated bonds. They failed to find a single bidder for bonds worth 200 billion won and 100 billion won, respectively, also in October.
Rep. Chung, who also sits on the special committee on the government budget, rebuked the government for having done little to prevent the Legoland default from spilling over into the wider financial market. He called the government response “inadequate and amateurish.” Chairman Kim Joo-hyun of the Financial Services Commission, the top financial regulator, acknowledges that the government intervention came a little late.
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Long-term profitability in doubt
But resurfacing worries over the theme park’s long-term profitability increasingly chips away at the government’s support and Merlin’s determination to run the park as planned. Such concerns, along with bureaucratic red tape, led to the opening being delayed by 11 years. The Chuncheon theme park is the first and only Legoland on an island. It is the largest in Asia and the second-largest in the world, after Legoland New York.
The attractions operator is also facing decreasing demand for the attraction, prompted by default rumors, which Merlin categorically denies as unsubstantiated. A more pressing concern is that an increasing number of people are debating whether their annual passes to the attraction are really worth the cost.
“It’s about a two-hour drive from Seoul to Chuncheon and the passes, one-day or annual, are not that cheap, considering all the attractions you see there are just for kids under 12. It’s worth a trip for a day, but a second run? I’m not really sure.” said Kim, a father of a preschooler who lives in Seoul and asked to be identified by his surname only.
Kim, 39, referred to “winter shutdowns” from January to March next year, when the park will be closed as part of annual safety checks. The park offers a free 90-day extension for annual pass holders, but Kim and many other local tourists holding the passes say they have to sacrifice too much.
“The extension doesn’t cut it. The reason we buy the passes is they allow us to make the trip ‘whenever we want’ at a lower price, and that’s without a doubt when kids are on winter or summer vacation. Why does it take three months to run safety checks? An extra 90 days are useless if we can’t take advantage of school vacation,” Kim said.
Merlin said its operating days and months are not only in line with local “weather conditions and climate” but is based on “Legoland’s 55 years of experience operating an outdoor amusement park for young children and their families,” highlighting safety concerns. A half-price ticket to Seoul’s Coex Aquarium will be given to those annual pass holders to make up for the winter suspension in addition to the 90-day extension, the park operator added.
“The thing is, I don’t see what being on rides at an attraction and seeing fish swimming in a tank have in common, really. If I can’t see it, kids certainly won’t.” Kim said.
By Choi Si-young (siyoungchoi@heraldcorp.com)