The 338-room hotel will now offer services in the tradition of Swissôtel

Nai Lert Park Bangkok, a Raffles International hotel, celebrates its official launch today with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a rousing lion dance performance by 15 members from the Gunhacahlies Team, one of Thailand's top lion dance troupes. Officiating at the ribbon-cutting ceremony were Dr. Visanu Krua-Ngarm, Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister; Mr. Chan Heng Wing, Singapore's Ambassador to Thailand; Mr. Hans-Peter Erismann, Switzerland's Ambassador to Thailand; Thanpuying Lursakdi Sampatisiri, Honorary Chairperson, Mr. Prakit Pradipasena, Chairman and Mrs. Bilaiban Sampatisiri, Managing Director of Nai Lert Park Hotel Co. Limited; Ms Leong Wai Leng, Executive Director of Raffles International; and Mr. Meinhard Huck, Managing Director of Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts.

Nai Lert Park Bangkok is centrally located in the heart of Bangkok's diplomatic, business, and shopping areas. Set in the midst of a sprawling 8.5-acre garden estate, the hotel offers services in the tradition of Swissôtel, a brand preferred by discerning travellers worldwide and managed by Raffles International Hotels & Resorts.

Nai Lert Park Bangkok is the latest addition to the Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts portfolio of 24 hotels worldwide which include award-winning hotels such as Swissôtel The Stamford, Singapore; Swissôtel Métropole, Geneva; Swissôtel Chicago; and Swissôtel The Bosphorus, Istanbul.

Ms Leong Wai Leng, Executive Director of Raffles International said, "We are thrilled to launch Nai Lert Park Bangkok. It is Raffles International's second hotel in Bangkok and the latest addition to the rapidly growing portfolio of hotels which we operate around the world. Raffles International is committed to add value to Nai Lert Park Bangkok as we share our management expertise, our strong global sales, distribution and marketing, customer relationship management system as well as our proprietary guest loyalty and human resource training programmes, in the management of the hotel under this partnership."

Mr. Meinhard Huck, Managing Director of Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts, said, "Bangkok is not just a tourist destination, it is an experience. With the opening of Nai Lert Park Bangkok, we enhance this experience for our guests by offering them services in the tradition of Swissôtel, a brand that is recognised worldwide as one that offers consistently high standards of quality in facilities and services."

Guests staying at Nai Lert Park Bangkok will enjoy easy access to the various modes of transportation. The hotel is 20 minutes from Bangkok's Don Muang International Airport and is a five to 10 minutes walk from two Skytrain Stations along the Sukhumvit Line, namely the Ploenchit and Chitlom stations. It is also just minutes from Bangkok's major business and shopping districts.

The entrance to Nai Lert Park Bangkok has been renovated to include a new porte cochere and the hotel's fitness centre was also refurbished and upgraded. The renovation programme for guestrooms is underway and the newly renovated rooms will be launched in October 2004. Both the Lobby Lounge and Suan Saranrom, the all-day dining restaurant, will be receiving complete makeovers. The hotel's famous large outdoor swimming pool, which is surrounded by lush landscape, and the pool bar will also be upgraded.

Leading the team at Nai Lert Park Bangkok is General Manager Blaise Montandon. Mr. Montandon has more than 23 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Montandon was Deputy General Manager at Le Montreux Palace.

For more information on Nai Lert Park Bangkok, please visit the hotel's website at www.nailertpark.swissotel.com