Dusit Ushers in a New Chapter with Appointment of New Group CEO

Bangkok, 19 January 2016 – Leading Asian hospitality group Dusit International welcomes a new Group Chief Executive Officer, the third in the company’s storied 67-year history and the first to be named from outside of the founding family.

Ms Suphajee Suthumpun, previously the Chief Executive Officer of Thaicom Plc., succeeds Mr Chanin Donavanik, now Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Executive Committee. Ms Suthumpun will build on the momentum created by Mr Donavanik whilst further strengthening the foundations for the company’s continued growth. She has set a long-term vision emphasizing human capital development, technological advancement and strategic management of the company.

In addition to further developing the brand’s portfolio of international hotels and resorts, Ms Suthumpun will also support the growth of Dusit’s additional business units, namely in the property development and hospitality education sectors. Dusit International owns and operates the Dusit Thani College, a private educational institution offering Culinary and Hospitality Management programmes in partnership with the École Hôtelière de Lausanne; the Le Cordon Bleu Dusit Culinary School, a joint venture partnership with the renowned Paris-based institute; and the recently launched Dusit Thani Hotel School, Thailand’s first "paperless" hospitality school based on ASEAN Common Competency Standards for Tourism Professionals.

"It is an exciting time to join Dusit International, and I am honoured to be entrusted with the leadership of such a significant organisation in Thailand’s tourism history," said Ms Suthumpun. "I am confident that with the support of the team, we can continue to build on the company’s founding legacy of bringing gracious Thai hospitality to the world."

Dusit International currently has 26 properties in operation, with over 40 projects confirmed in the development pipeline in locations such as Singapore, Australia, Vietnam, Oman and Saudi Arabia. Most recently, the group launched the luxury Dusit Thani Guam Resort, the tallest hotel and newest build since 1999 on the Micronesian island, and plans to open hotels in Khao Yai, Thailand; Shanghai, China and a second Dubai, UAE property in 2016.

Photo Caption – Ms Suphajee Suthumpun, Group Chief Executive Officer, Dusit International

Dusit International has over 65 years of experience in the hotel and hospitality field. Founded in 1949 by Honorary Chairperson Thanpuying Chanut Piyaoui, whose first hotel was the Princess on Bangkok’s New Road, Dusit International has since acquired a unique portfolio of distinctive hotels, building upon Thai culture and tradition to create a personalized welcome for all guests made distinctive under the Dusit International brand promise; the delivery of an ‘experience that enlivens the individual spirit, no matter the journey’. Dusit International comprises four hotel brands: Dusit Thani, dusitD2, DusitPrincess and Dusit Devarana. It also operates its own signature Devarana Spa.