Hotel operator Accor is preparing to start managing eight hotels over the next few years in Krabi, Pattaya, Cha-Am and other Thai locations.

The France-based group will manage the hotels under its three brands: the five-star Sofitel, four-star Novotel and three-star Mercure.

"This is the most significant move in Thailand since the group has started in the hotel business in Thailand 20 years ago," said Michael Issenberg, Accor's managing director for the Asia-Pacific region.

This year, the group will start operating the new 250-room Sofitel Phokeethra on the mainland of Krabi and the Sofitel Phi Phi Resort and Spa, with 147 villas, which is slated to open in November.

However, the group has not announced a reopening date for the Sofitel Khao Lak, which is undergoing reconstruction after sustaining serious damage in the tsunami.

It will also operate the 79-room Sofitel Nang Yaun Island on the north shore of Koh Samui, which also will open this year.

The group will also manage the Novotel Tipviman Cha-Am, with 240 rooms, and the 400-room Novotel King Power, near Victory Monument in Bangkok. Both are being built.

In Pattaya, it will manage the Mercure Pattaya - set to open this month -and the Garden Cliff Resort and Spa, which opens in August.

The average occupancy rate at Accor's 19 hotels and resorts around the country is running at 75 per cent, Issenberg said.

In 2006, the group will start running the 400-room Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport.

This week, Accor partnered with real estate investment management company Lasalle Investment Management to purchase the Sofitel Silom from Sansiri Plc. Accor purchased a minority interest in the hotel.

The hotel was launched as the Sofitel Silom in 2002 after it was refurbished, and is currently running at an occupancy rate of 80 per cent.

Accor will add the 108-room Novotel Na Trang in Vietnam to its portfolio this year, as well as the La Residence Hue with 122 rooms.

Suchat Sritama, The Nation, Published on June 04, 2005 www.nationmultimedia.com