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The Beginning: The Pioneer Spirit of Silom

Khun Nick recalls his family’s beginnings in business on Silom Road: “My father started pioneering in 1972, which was over 50 years ago,” a time that closely coincided with the establishment of Narai Hotel. His family’s business started in the area adjacent to Narai Hotel, where there used to be a row of shophouses that formed the hotel’s “Shopping Arcade.”

Khun Nick’s father travelled from Mumbai, India, and opened his shop in Silom in 1972. Their shop is the oldest one that remains next to Narai Hotel to this day.

Narai: A Second Home

For Khun Nick, Narai Hotel was the centre of his teenage life, a veritable second home. He and his friends grew up with the atmosphere of this 5-star hotel.

Khun Nick recalls vivid memories of the past, saying he would frequently use the services at Narai because the place was full of restaurants and entertainment popular in that era. Beyond the restaurants, his connection extended to the hotel’s staff as well.

“We knew many people who worked at Narai Hotel—the GM, the housekeeping staff, the cleaning crew—we knew them all because we grew up around here since we were children.” Khun Nick shared stories from the past and various details about the hotel.

The Journey of Change and The Philosophy of Happiness

Although his shop had been at Narai for a long time, Khun Nick’s business also had to face changes in the Silom area.

Around 1997-1998, Narai Hotel reclaimed the Shopping Arcade space to build the Triple Two Hotel, forcing many shops to relocate. During that time, Khun Nick moved his business to Silom Road, about 130 metres away from the original Narai Hotel location.

Despite all the development and changes, Khun Nick never wanted to move elsewhere. He told us:

“Living in this area, we feel happy. So no matter how much money, you can’t buy happiness. We’re happy, so we stay here.”

He believes that Silom Road, from the Chong Nonsi area to Bang Rak, is a road in Bangkok that has barely changed over 50 years, and he likes that the old atmosphere has been preserved.

Looking Forward: Hope for the “New Narai”

When asked about the Hatai project that will transform the original Narai Hotel, Khun Nick shares that, as a neighbour, he has followed the plans for over a year. The new development, bringing together a hotel and retail spaces, feels to him like a renewal, one that will help return vibrancy and energy to Silom Road once again.

With more than 50 years of experience and connection to this neighbourhood, Khun Nick’s story is not only his family’s history, but also a piece of Silom’s living history, one that continues to unfold. As Narai steps into a new chapter, Murkh Tailor remains right where it has always been, standing side by side as a trusted neighbour, sharing the same street, the same memories, and the same hope for a Silom that continues to thrive.