Literary greats inspire Bangkok hotel guests

An AAP report says that Noel Coward once said “In Bangkok at twelve o’clock they foam at the mouth and run.”  “But mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun.”

Every night you stay at the Oriental in Bangkok you will find on your pillow a card with inspirational quotes from the famous writers who once stayed there.

Thirteen cards such as the one above are used for the turn down service, with the hotel, built in 1876, one of the oldest in Asia and was the first hotel in Thailand.

Literary legends who made it their favourite haunt include Somerset Maugham, Joseph Conrad, James Michener, Graham Greene and Noel Coward.

Today the Oriental Suites they once lived and wrote in are part of the hotel’s Oriental Residence and ten of its 34 suites have been named after the writers who stayed there.

The other name suites in the River Wing are Barbara Cartland, Gore Vidal, Graham Greene, Wilbur Smith, John le Carre and Kukrit Pramoj.

Each suite is decorated according to the author’s preferences, with for example, Barbara Cartland Suite is all in pink, feminine and romantic while the John le Carre Suite has a distinctly English masculine quality.

At the Authors’ Lounge you can find their books and read them over afternoon tea surrounded by white walls, handcrafted furniture, tropical plants and photos of old Bangkok.

Louis Thomas Leonowens, son of Anna Leonowens (Anna and the King of Siam) was once the famous hotel’s proprietor. And Thai silk tycoon Jim Thompson was a one-time owner of the hotel along with a group of business partners.

As soon as you walk through the door you know you’re somewhere special as you’re greeted with a traditional Thai garland of sweet smelling flowers.

For almost 130 years royalty, dignitaries and distinguished travellers have followed the Chao Phrya River through the heart of Bangkok to the doors of The Oriental.

These days you can hire a boat and sightsee along the canals, observing everyday life. Sights include people fishing in what looks like very murky water, clothes being washed and hung out, babies lying in the sun, small temples, verandahs full of pot plants, kitchens filled with pots and pans, food being delivered by floating marketeers, including delicious smelling chicken sates, and extremely over-priced souvenirs being delivered to tourists on hired boats.

The hotel runs a cultural programme featuring afternoon lectures by leading academics on Thai customs and traditions, religious beliefs covering Buddhism, Brahmanism and animism, festivals, music, dance and celebrations, art and architecture and contemporary Thailand.

The Bamboo Bar is famous for live jazz played often by visiting American artists, in a jungle decor. Since Australian no-smoking laws have been introduced, it’s a surprise to find people sitting next to you smoking cigars – bought at the adjoining Cigar Divan, as you are looked after by Thai hostesses. I’m sure I spotted Leo Sayer with a Thai woman twice his size.

I went there for a nightcap after a traditional dance performance and dinner at the Terrace Rim Naam on the opposite bank of the river.

And if you’re up to it in the morning, the newly opened Ayurvedic Penthouse has recently introduced an extensive range of yoga programmes, from lively group sessions to one-on-one private sessions.

Details: The Oriental, Bangkok: 48 Oriental Avenue, Bangkok 10500, Thailand. Call 66 2659-9000 or visit www.mandarinoriental.co

Internet Rate: limited rooms for unlimited luxury. Start at $US289 ($NZ385) for certain periods.

Rates may vary day by day and are available year-round but only in a limited number of rooms.

Report by The Mole