Hotel Management in During the Reign of King Prajadhipok:Case Study of Phya Thai Palace Hotel

Abstract

The Majesty King Vajiravudh gave his command to develop and renovate the beautiful Phya Thai Palace into a deluxe hotel palace. This could maintain the beauty, dignity and royal pride of Siam. It was used to welcome all guests and visitors particularly foreigners attending "The Exhibition of Siamese Kingdom" They could not only get impressed with the grand and exotic palace but also appreciate the glorious hotel. Apart from this, the Privy Purse could reduce the budget or the cost of maintenance of the magnificent property of the palace. In the reign of King Prajadhipok, Phya Thai Place Hotel was considered to be the most outstanding hotel in the country to welcome state guests or official foreign visitors. The hotel was well known as the high-level societies and alluring with elegant rooms fully equipped with excellent facilities and superb services. However, the change of political conflicts of the government in B.E. 2475, This is the great exemplified change when the Phya Thai Palace Hotel and Norasing Coffeehouse (Branch) were shut down after a long service of 6 years and 8 months. The study of the Phya Thai Palace Hotel in the past could be observed in terms of a model of management principles and services including room operations, foods and beverages, and leisure facilities as well as recreational activities. That could be, hence considered a model of the hotel that was well managed and conducted by Thai staff according to the international standard in the early era of Siam.