New Chairperson for Dusit Thani

Following a recent Board of Directors Meeting of The Dusit Thani PLC it was announced that Thanpuying Chanut Piyaoui will assume the new position as Honorary Chairperson of the company; and Chatri Sophonpanich will become Chairperson.

Thanpuying Chanut Piyaoui’s foray in the hotel business began after she returned from her brief study in the USA. During her travels there, she was inspired by the happy, carefree hotel staff and impressed with the professionalism of the service industry. Returning home, she asked her parents for a loan to construct the first Princess Hotel, which opened in 1949. It was the first hotel in Bangkok to have a swimming pool.

In 1970, after much perseverance and years of planning and against all the odds that Thanpuying Chanut had to face in fulfilling her goal of building her landmark hotel project, she was amply rewarded with the grand opening of The Dusit Thani, Bangkok.

In the 1990s, the group experienced rapid expansion and development in Thailand for the Dusit and Royal Princess brands, as well as overseas for the Dusit brand.

Thanpuying Chanut received the highest royal decoration, Dame Grand Commander (Second class, higher grade) of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao - known by the most esteemed title of “Thanpuying”, bestowed upon her by HM the King on the 53rd Coronation Day Anniversary, May 5, 2000.

Throughout her highly successful professional career, Thanpuying Chanut has consistently contributed to various royal projects. She spearheaded and chaired numerous charitable causes, which were either her personal or corporate contributions of the companies under the Dusit umbrella; including the Dusit Thani College where almost 2,000 students attended the hotel courses annually. In addition, Thanpuying Chanut was President of the Thai Hotels Association (THA) for many years, and was active in the various professional women’s associations locally and internationally.

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