Hotels In Bangkok

Poll

	|   |

Translate/Traduisez/Übersetzen Sie/Traduzca/Traduca/Traduza:

Author:
Eric Lim

The Oriental Bangkok, the world-renowned luxury hotel, is the oldest hotel in Bangkok, has a legacy of famous writers and a long and famous history. She celebrates her 130th anniversary this year.

Two Danish sea captains founded the Oriental in 1865 during the reign of King Rama IV when Thailand opened up to trade as a result of the Bowring Treaty signed ten years earlier.

The founders saw the need for a hotel by the Chao Phraya to cater for the seafarers and traders who sailed upriver. They didn't realize then that the hotel they started would one day be a celebrated luxury hotel graced by the rich and famous.

Unfortunately the original building is no longer standing. The history of the Oriental Bangkok, the first hotel in the city, is taken from 1876 when the old wing was built. This building is still there.

The tradition of famous writers dates back to 1888, when Konrad Korzeniowski, a Polish merchant navy officer, sailed up the Chao Phraya and docked next to the Oriental Hotel. Nicknamed "Polish Joe" by his shipmates, he later became known to the literary world as Joseph Conrad.

Others were to follow in Conrad's footsteps. In 1923, Somerset Maugham, an English writer stayed at the Oriental Bangkok and wrote the children's tale, "Siamese Fairy Tale" while sitting in the river terrace gazing out at the Chao Phraya.

Noel Coward, another English writer, stayed at the Oriental Bangkok in 1929. Conrad, Maugham, Coward and the American, James Michener, four literary giants, became the founding fathers of the Authors' Wing.

The Oriental suffered damage, disrepair and looting during World War II, when it was taken over by the Japanese army. After the war, Allied officers waiting to return home made the hotel their living quarters.

In 1945, another legendary figure entered the scene. Jim Thompson, the American who later made his name in Thai silk, became one of the owners of the Oriental and a resident as well.

Thompson with five others, foreigners and Thai, pooled their funds in an attempt to revive the hotel. Owing to personal differences, Thompson left the group a year later.

The hotel went through a second major construction when the Garden Wing was completed and opened in 1958. In 1967 there was another change in ownership. It was then that Kurt Wachtveitl became General Manager.

The turning point came in 1974 when Jardine Matheson set up the Mandarin Hotels Group and bought a 49% stake in the Oriental Bangkok. This provided the impetus for a major expansion with the new 376-room wing, ballroom and multi- level car park.

The new River Wing opened in 1976, with suites honoring Barbara Cartland, John le Carre, Gore Vidal, Graham Greene and Norman Mailer. John le Carre was said to have finished "The Honourable Schoolboy" here.

In 2006, after another major facelift, the Oriental Bangkok celebrates its 130th anniversary with Kurt Wachtveitl still at the helm after 39 years, backed by his faithful and long-serving staff.

At a 130, the charming grand dame still holds court by the Chao Phraya. The tradition of famous writers famous writers lives on.

About the author:

The Oriental Bangkok first appeared in Tour Bangkok Legacies, a historical travel site on people, places and events that left their mark in the landscape of Bangkok. The author, Eric Lim, is a free-lance writer who lives in Bangkok Thailand.

	Travel Journal Thailand - Book Diary holiday trip Current Price: $ 17.50 | | Sale Ends In: 15h 1m 55s
	1967 MISS THAILAND 1969 TRAVEL POSTER Current Price: $ 64.00 | | Sale Ends In: 15h 17m 4s
	1960s THAILAND FLOATING MARKET TRAVEL POSTER Current Price: $ 64.00 | | Sale Ends In: 15h 17m 4s
	THAILAND - LONELY PLANET TRAVEL GUIDE BOOK EX sc Current Price: $ 9.13 | | Sale Ends In: 16h 44m 13s
	Travel Book Lot of 4 Thailand, kauai, laos+ Current Price: $ 2.99 | (1 Bids) | Sale Ends In: 1d 13h 30m 12s
	THAILAND BEAUTIFUL BEACH TRAVEL SOUVENIR FRIDGE MAGNET Current Price: $ 1.50 | | Sale Ends In: 1d 14h 54m 37s
	Bangkok Thailand Travel Souvenir Magnet 2.25" Current Price: $ 1.99 | | Sale Ends In: 1d 16h 21m 34s
	THAILAND TRAVEL GUIDE BOOK + LARGE PULL OUT MAP 2010 Current Price: $ 18.23 | | Sale Ends In: 1d 17h 18m 58s
	THAILAND TRAVEL GUIDE BOOK + LARGE PULL OUT MAP 2010 Current Price: $ 18.23 | | Sale Ends In: 1d 17h 21m 58s
	Periplus Thailand Regional Map Phuket (Periplus Travel Current Price: $ 5.71 | | Sale Ends In: 2d 9h 53m 35s

A Quick Note From The Publisher... If you like the article above, you may be interested in the following article which is also related to Thailand Travel... Planning A Trip To Thailand? If you want an exotic trip, why not choose Thailand? Though it might be costlier than heading to southern California or Miami, you’ll have memories (and photographs!) that will wow your friends and family for years to come. As you plan your priceless journey, just remember to keep a few factors in mind: Thailand Visit Tip #1: Learn about Thai food When you get to Thailand, you’ll no doubt be trying a great deal of Asian cuisine. Thus, it would behoove you to try some of the more common Thai dishes before you set off on your journey. If you live near a large city, you no doubt have access to any number of Thai restaurants. When you go, ask the servers or proprietor(s) about authentic Thai fare. That way, you’ll be able to prepare your palate for your visit. If you’re not able to make it to a Thai eatery, you can always check out a book on Thai cooking from the local library (or purchase one in your Barnes and Noble or Borders bookseller.) This way, you can try your hand at creating some of the culinary delights you’ll be feasting on during your time in Thailand. Thailand Visit Tip #2: Dress for the temperature and weather conditions Because the Internet affords you the opportunity to find out about weather anywhere in the world, make sure you jump online during the days before you leave for your visit to Thailand. That way, you’ll know exactly what to pack (and what not to wear). Nothing is worse than being in a country where you don’t know the language and are feeling physically uncomfortable because you’re dressed inappropriately. Thailand Visit Tip #3: Go to your doctor Before traveling overseas, it’s best for you to get a full physical at your doctor. Why? First of all, you really should have an annual appointment, anyway. But secondly, you don’t want to...