The owners of the Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra spent US$50 million (1.51 billion baht) to rebuild the hotel after it was damaged by fire during anti-Thai riots in the Cambodian capital eight years ago.
Supachai: Separate business and politics
Thai-owned luxury hotel in Phnom Penh that crashed and burned during anti-Thai riots is now ready to reopen its doors
Writer: Wassana Nanuam
Published: 7/04/2011
Bangkok Post
Despite the rocky relationship between Thailand and Cambodia, the operator of a Thai hotel that was damaged by fire during anti-Thai riots in Phnom Penh eight years ago strongly believes his business in Cambodia is promising.
"We have to clearly separate business and politics," said Supachai Virapuchong, managing director of the Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra, which recently reopened at the end of March.
The hotel is owned by Thai Nakorn Patana, the local pharmaceutical manufacturer best known for the Tiffy and Sara brands.
"We have never been involved in politics, as my duty focuses only on business. We will do our best and let politicians do theirs," said Mr Supachai, who is also the deputy managing director of Thai Nakorn Patana."The Cambodian government itself still welcomes and fully supports investments from Thai businessmen. It has waived the profit tax, as well as all import tariffs for three to eight years."
The company spent US$50 million (1.51 billion baht) to rebuild the Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra after it was damaged by fire during anti-Thai riots in the capital eight years ago. The unrest was prompted by Cambodian news reports mistakenly quoting a Thai actress as saying that Angkor Wat belonged to Thailand.
The grand opening of the 2-billion-baht hotel was originally scheduled for Feb 12, but was delayed when the conflict between the two neighbouring nations intensified. It was rescheduled to open on March 29 when distinguished guests from both countries were invited including Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Banh, Khunying Pankrua Yongchaiyudh and Gen Vichit Yathip, who had served as deputy army chief under former prime minister Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh.
"Back then, I didn't think of anything but bringing my staff out of the hotel safely. Other matters were less important, we could rebuild them later," Mr Supachai says, recalling the events of 2003.
Nonetheless, he admits the fire was a "scar" that he is reluctant to dig up, saying the incidents were just the acts of "a certain group of people".
Widely known by local people as "Ood Tiffy", Mr Supachai started his business in Cambodia in 1991, capitalising on former prime minister Chatchai Choonhavan's famous "turning battlefields into marketplaces" policy in Indochina, and he has been successful ever since.
"At that time, I got a chance to get to know Prime Minister Hun Sen, and he has been gracious enough to support my business throughout the years from its very inception. "
He gave credit to former army commander-in-chief Gen Chavalit and his wife, Khunying Pankrua, who introduced him to Hun Sen.
A close relationship with Gen Chavalit's family also brought him connections with high-ranking people in the Cambodian cabinet and army.
The close ties eventually landed him a 60-year lease contract for the land where the hotel is located. The deal was worth about 2 billion baht, plus the construction cost of another 2 billion.
Previously, Mr Supachai had invested more than $40 million (1.21 billion baht) in the Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf and Spa in Siem Reap in 2006 and the facility has been a great success.
The new hotel in Phnom Penh will focus on serving business executives as well as officers of the Cambodian government and army.
"The new hotel features colonial and local architecture which in years to come will become more valued. It was also designed to match Cambodia's history during the French colonial period," said Mr Supachai.
As the hotel targets high-level guests, it features high-end facilities to provide convenience. All guests are expected to feel as if they were at home during their stay in the hotel's spacious 42-square-metre rooms.
All rooms have free WiFi broadband. The hotel also offers the first ballroom in Phnom Penh that can serve up to 1,000 guests.
"We run the hotel to Sofitel's international standards. However, we have adopted Thai and Buddhist service styles. Guests will enjoy our services, which will create a close bond like a family," said Mr Supachai.
"Although the hotel is Thai-owned, it creates many jobs for the local people. Around 440 staff are working here, 90% of whom are Cambodians."
Thai-owned luxury hotel in Phnom Penh that crashed and burned during anti-Thai riots is now ready to reopen its doors
Writer: Wassana Nanuam
Published: 7/04/2011
Bangkok Post
Despite the rocky relationship between Thailand and Cambodia, the operator of a Thai hotel that was damaged by fire during anti-Thai riots in Phnom Penh eight years ago strongly believes his business in Cambodia is promising.
"We have to clearly separate business and politics," said Supachai Virapuchong, managing director of the Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra, which recently reopened at the end of March.
The hotel is owned by Thai Nakorn Patana, the local pharmaceutical manufacturer best known for the Tiffy and Sara brands.
"We have never been involved in politics, as my duty focuses only on business. We will do our best and let politicians do theirs," said Mr Supachai, who is also the deputy managing director of Thai Nakorn Patana."The Cambodian government itself still welcomes and fully supports investments from Thai businessmen. It has waived the profit tax, as well as all import tariffs for three to eight years."
The company spent US$50 million (1.51 billion baht) to rebuild the Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra after it was damaged by fire during anti-Thai riots in the capital eight years ago. The unrest was prompted by Cambodian news reports mistakenly quoting a Thai actress as saying that Angkor Wat belonged to Thailand.
The grand opening of the 2-billion-baht hotel was originally scheduled for Feb 12, but was delayed when the conflict between the two neighbouring nations intensified. It was rescheduled to open on March 29 when distinguished guests from both countries were invited including Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Banh, Khunying Pankrua Yongchaiyudh and Gen Vichit Yathip, who had served as deputy army chief under former prime minister Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh.
"Back then, I didn't think of anything but bringing my staff out of the hotel safely. Other matters were less important, we could rebuild them later," Mr Supachai says, recalling the events of 2003.
Nonetheless, he admits the fire was a "scar" that he is reluctant to dig up, saying the incidents were just the acts of "a certain group of people".
Widely known by local people as "Ood Tiffy", Mr Supachai started his business in Cambodia in 1991, capitalising on former prime minister Chatchai Choonhavan's famous "turning battlefields into marketplaces" policy in Indochina, and he has been successful ever since.
"At that time, I got a chance to get to know Prime Minister Hun Sen, and he has been gracious enough to support my business throughout the years from its very inception. "
He gave credit to former army commander-in-chief Gen Chavalit and his wife, Khunying Pankrua, who introduced him to Hun Sen.
A close relationship with Gen Chavalit's family also brought him connections with high-ranking people in the Cambodian cabinet and army.
The close ties eventually landed him a 60-year lease contract for the land where the hotel is located. The deal was worth about 2 billion baht, plus the construction cost of another 2 billion.
Previously, Mr Supachai had invested more than $40 million (1.21 billion baht) in the Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf and Spa in Siem Reap in 2006 and the facility has been a great success.
The new hotel in Phnom Penh will focus on serving business executives as well as officers of the Cambodian government and army.
"The new hotel features colonial and local architecture which in years to come will become more valued. It was also designed to match Cambodia's history during the French colonial period," said Mr Supachai.
As the hotel targets high-level guests, it features high-end facilities to provide convenience. All guests are expected to feel as if they were at home during their stay in the hotel's spacious 42-square-metre rooms.
All rooms have free WiFi broadband. The hotel also offers the first ballroom in Phnom Penh that can serve up to 1,000 guests.
"We run the hotel to Sofitel's international standards. However, we have adopted Thai and Buddhist service styles. Guests will enjoy our services, which will create a close bond like a family," said Mr Supachai.
"Although the hotel is Thai-owned, it creates many jobs for the local people. Around 440 staff are working here, 90% of whom are Cambodians."
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