BANGKOK, 17 August 2026: Asset World Corp Public Company Limited (AWC) is investing approximately THB2.9 billion in a new ultra-luxury Plaza Athénée hotel on the banks of Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River.
The group’s existing River Garden property will be transformed into an 18-storey hotel featuring 146 guest rooms and more than 20,000 sqm of gross floor area. Scheduled to open in 2028, the hotel will operate under the internationally recognised Plaza Athénée brand that has been absent from Bangkok’s hotel scene since 2017.
The development will become part of the AWC Riverside Journey, an ambitious network connecting 11 of the group’s hotels, lifestyle destinations and visitor experiences along the Chao Phraya.
Designed as more than a traditional luxury hotel, the property will combine accommodation with wellness, dining and lifestyle experiences. Its riverside setting will also give guests convenient access to Bangkok’s historic neighbourhoods, cultural attractions, and established local communities.
AWC’s broader riverside journey strategy brings together the capital’s history, art, culture and traditional ways of life with contemporary hospitality and tourism experiences. Participating properties are also expected to feature shared co-living lobby concepts, creating welcoming spaces where visitors can meet, relax and enjoy views of the river.
AWC President and Chief Executive Officer Wallapa Traisorat said the Chao Phraya had long been at the heart of Bangkok, connecting its people, communities, commerce, history and culture.
Inspired by that heritage, the riverside journey aims to introduce Bangkok and Thailand’s distinctive character to international visitors, while supporting the country’s development as a sustainable global tourism destination.
The network includes Asiatique The Riverfront Destination, The Hotel Plaza Athénée Bangkok and the planned Ritz-Carlton Bangkok, The Riverside. It also connects visitors with prominent neighbourhoods and cultural districts, including Song Wat, Yaowarat and Woeng Nakorn Kasem.
Guests will be encouraged to explore celebrated riverside landmarks such as the Grand Palace, Wat Arun, Wat Pho, Pak Khlong Talat flower market and Chinatown. The concept seeks to create a continuous journey through Bangkok’s heritage, living communities, contemporary lifestyle attractions and emerging creative districts.
AWC also plans to expand the riverside network through MONA Bangkok, a destination dedicated to art, creativity and culture. Another proposed element is a sustainable cross-river cable car, designed to provide an additional transport connection and a fresh perspective for experiencing the Chao Phraya.
About the author
Andrew J Wood is a Bangkok-based travel writer and former hotelier who has lived in Thailand since 1991. A graduate of Napier University, Edinburgh, he has held senior hotel management positions in Thailand and overseas. He is a former Director of Skål International and Past President of Skål International Asia, Thailand and Bangkok.
