Chanin Donavanik, the group's CEO and managing director, said recently that the joint-venture developments would help the group establish a firmer foothold in the Middle East market. That has been part of the hotel chain's expansion plans since it set up its Middle East Regional Office in Dubai in mid-2005.

"Coupled with the existing over 300-room Dusit Dubai hotel, the latest project agreements will make Dusit's presence in the region much stronger," Chanin said.

The Dusit Palm Island project comprises two hotels - the luxurious six-star Dusit Devarana Dubai and the Dusit Thani Dubai - plus the exclusive Dusit Residence.

The group has not yet finalised the investment figure and operating schedule.

The Dusit Devarana will be a luxury hotel with Indian-inspired architecture, offering a quiet but distinctive, elegant and graceful service in a relaxed but slightly formal atmosphere.

The property will have 114 large rooms and suites. Dining facilities will include restaurants and Dusit Gourmet. Other facilities will be Dusit's signature Devarana Spa, conference and meeting rooms, and two swimming pools.

The Dusit Thani will be a family resort with 272 rooms and suites. The resort with Moroccan-inspired features will offer lively activities that will be fun for families to relax in informal and private surroundings.

There will also be 10 free-standing chalets as self-contained family units, surrounded by water at the ends of the palm fronds. Each chalet comes with two floors and a desert tent theme. Sam-Erik Ruttmann, regional vice president of Dusit Middle East Office, said these projects were designed to blend in with the Middle Eastern style of architecture.

The group also disclosed new investment plans for the Asian region. The group entered into a joint venture with Bird Hospitality Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bird Group, one of India's largest diversified groups with presence in aviation, travel and information technology.

Bird is committed to developing six- and five-star hotels and resorts in New Delhi, Goa, Rishikesh, Pune, Amritsar and Jaipur, providing Dusit the opportunity to manage or franchise several hotels in India.

Dusit's mid-scale brand, Royal Princess Hotels and Resorts, will manage its first resort property, Princess Resort Koh Chang. The resort located on Bai Lan Bay will have a total of 96 accommodation units when it opens in August.