Bangkok's Swissotel Nai Lert Park sold to become medical center

Thailand's largest hospital operator, Bangkok Dusit Medical Services under the brand Bangkok Hospital, has announced plans to spend 10.8 billion baht ($311.5 million) to buy the Swissotel Nai Lert Park and develop it into a holistic services medical center. 

In its statement filed with the Stock Exchange of Thailand on Wednesday night, the company said it had entered into the transaction to acquire the Nai Lert Park project on Withayu Road (Wireless Road). 1.08 billion baht had already been paid by Wednesday, and the company said it planned to spend another 2 billion baht to develop the BDMS Wellness Clinic. 

The acquisition includes the land, a six-story hotel, a 12-story office building and a one-story building used for a staff cafeteria. 

Naphaporn Bodiratnangkura, managing director of Nai Lert Park Hotel, issued a handwriten letter to employees claiming that change was necessary in a time of tough competition, so the hotel would close its doors early next year after 36 years of operation. The property was founded by Thanphuying Lersak Sombatsiri.