Seven new Thai Carlson properties

The move will make the Kingdom one of its largest and most strategic markets in the region.

The company also plans to double its hotel portfolio in Asia-Pacific over the next four years.

Carlson will manage the seven Thai hotels under its three core brands: Regent Hotels & Resorts, Radisson Hotels & Resorts and Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts. More than 1,500 hotel rooms will be added in Bangkok, Phuket and Krabi.

It currently manages the Park Plaza Sukhumvit Bangkok and has a franchise property, the 448-room Radisson Hotel Bangkok.

"Thailand's hospitality market remains buoyant despite a number of challenges and continues to hold enormous potential for growth. It is one of our major focus markets and represents 10 per cent of the number of hotels under development in Asia," said Martin Rinck, the company's president and managing director.

The four hotels scheduled for Bangkok include the Radisson Hotel Bangkok Sathorn (436 rooms) and the Radisson Suites Bangkok Sukhumvit (170 rooms). Both are on track to open next year. In 2010, the group will also open Park Plaza Bangkok Asoke (142 rooms) and The Regent Bangkok on Sukhumvit (321 rooms).

Phuket will have two new hotels under Carlson's management by the end of next year: the Radisson Plaza Resort Phuket Panwa Beach and The Regent Phuket Cape Panwa. The Radisson Resort & Spa Krabi is scheduled to open at a later date.

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