Hoteliers reappoint Chanin

Chanin Donavanik, executive director of Dusit Hotels and Resorts, has been reselected as president of the Thai Hotels Association (THA).
Members of the THA chose him again at their monthly meeting in Bangkok yesterday. He was the only candidate for the top post. Chanin was also recently voted president of the Asian Hotel and Restaurants Association, the first Thai to hold the position. Chanin said he would take another two years in the role to help THA members to develop the tourism industry as a whole. Despite the political crisis, Chanin said he would work more closely with members to create marketing activities. The THA has 520 members nationwide. It has been one the most important tourism organisations in the Kingdom for more than 30 years. THA vice president Prakit Chinamourpong said average hotel occupancy rates had been good in March. Hotels in Bangkok ran more than 80 per cent, as did those in Pattaya, Hua Hin and Cha Am. Chiang Mai hotels averaged 60 per cent. Only hotels in the South are still running at low rates of 50-55 per cent. Prakit said some hotels in Bangkok near Rachaprasong intersection had suffered losses during the gathering of protesters at Siam Paragon early this week. "One hotel there said it had lost Bt2 million on the first day of the protest," said Prakit. Suchat Sritama The Nation
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