Thavorn closes resort until high season

KARON: The Thavorn Palm Beach Resort will close from June 28 until October 1 for renovations, the management has announced. In a statement issued today, Managing Director Charearn Thavornwongwongse said, “In view of the current situation, Thavorn Palm Beach Resort has decided to take this opportunity to further renovate and develop the resort over the coming months.” He noted that the executive office and the reservations center would remain open. He added, “Guests who have confirmed reservations with Thavorn Palm Beach Resort will automatically be upgraded to the group’s five-star flagship, the Thavorn Beach Village.” Of the 147 staff employed by the hotel, 100 will be kept on half-time work assisting in the renovations. The 100 will be separated into two groups, said the resort’s General Manager, Matthew Hindmarch. “Each group will work for 15 days then take a 15-day vacation until the resort opens again.” He said the remaining 47 employees will be “going next week” but will come back to work at the resort when it reopens. He declined to comment on financial arrangements for the staff during the renovation period. The Thavorn Palm Beach Resort is the latest major hotel to close because of the slump in tourist numbers following the Sars scare. The first was the Crown Nai Yang near the airport, which closed on May 10, with most staff being sent home on half-pay. Methee Tanmanatragul, President of the Thai Hotels Association, Southern Chapter, said “Half a dozen hotels are closed now. Some hotels are partially closed for renovations, but that’s normal because they close some parts of the hotel every year [during the low season] for that purpose.”