The founder of Thai hotel group Dusit International, Thanpuying Chanut Piyaou, died from natural causes on 3 May 2020 at age 99.

Thanpuying Chanut originally started the company in 1948 and in 1970 she opened the flagship 510-bed hotel named Dusit Thani Bangkok, one of Bangkok’s first five-star properties. She served as managing director and chair of Dusit from 1970 until 2014.

Thanpuying Chanut built and expanded the company on the shoulders of the first Bangkok property and grew it into a global brand which today encompasses a portfolio of 33 global properties run under six brands.

Dusit also operates its own signature spa concept – called Devarana Spa – and has over 50 confirmed pipeline projects in destinations such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Kenya, Singapore and the UAE.

The company released a statement following her passing: “Thanpuying Chanut dedicated her life to the betterment of others, and her fine example and lifetime of achievements, plus her wonderfully caring spirit, will continue to inspire everything we do.

“Going forward, we’ll continue to fully embrace her mission to uniquely deliver Thai-inspired gracious hospitality to the world while bringing positive benefits to our broader communities. We’re honoured to continue her distinctive legacy.”