EN TH

I still remember walking through the back office and kitchens of the Narai Hotel with my grandmother, watching her having conversations with the staff and inspecting everything with such care. These moments weren’t anything extraordinary in the grand scheme of things, but that image of her dedication and genuine concern for every detail, captures everything our family has always stood for.

Today, as we launch HATAI, I’m filled with both excitement and nostalgia, carrying forward the spirit that built our family’s legacy into something entirely new.

In reimagining the future of Narai Hotel, the most difficult part wasn’t the business decision — it was saying goodbye to a building where I’d spent my entire life. I ran through those corridors as a 3-year-old, celebrated every Christmas and New Year there, created countless memories with grandparents who are no longer with us. When that first New Year arrived with no Narai Hotel, my father and I felt genuinely lost. We’d spent 30-40 years celebrating there.

But beyond the personal loss, we couldn’t ignore the business reality. The Narai Hotel had been our home for five decades, but what we were before wasn’t sustainable anymore. With fierce competition and constant innovation in Bangkok’s hospitality market, we knew we had to evolve or risk being left behind.

After years of deliberation, and a pandemic that forced us to reassess our timing, we cemented what HATAI would represent: a place that honours our tradition of welcoming everyone while creating experiences that always exceed expectations. It’s about preserving what matters most to us, the relationships we build and the memories we help create.

We’ve watched children who once came here for family meals grow up to bring their partners, celebrate their weddings with us, and eventually return with their own children. That’s the beautiful journey we want to continue for our guests.

For our people, the Narai family of employees, we want to continue to deliver on the promises and experience we’ve given to them over the years. Many who started with us in junior roles ended up growing into senior positions. Witnessing these journeys, being part of their professional and personal growth, is something we’ve genuinely treasured and want to continue with HATAI.

Looking beyond Hatai, we’re working to rejuvenate Silom itself. For years the focus has been on other parts of Bangkok like Sukhumvit. But now we’re seeing renewed interest in this part of Silom, and we want this development to be the catalyst that helps the neighborhood flourish again.

When we started this journey, saying goodbye to the physical buildings made me worry I’d lose sight of the memories they held. But I’ve come to realise that what truly underpinned those memories is actually being carried forward. The guest relationships, our team, the community – these are what have always defined us. More than anything, I want people to remember the special moments they create here — the times that lift them up during difficult periods or the joyful celebrations with loved ones. We’re honoured to be the venue but the memories are entirely theirs.

This is the beginning of something beautiful. Welcome to HATAI.