5-star beds for 2-star prices: Thai luxury hotels lure locals

BANGKOK — The Thai capital is eerily absent of bustling tourists this holiday season. As the pandemic keeps foreign tourists away, the city’s five-star hotels are slashing rates and offering added perks to entice domestic customers. 

A Marriott in downtown Bangkok unveiled a 1,212 baht ($40) per night deal to coincide with the Chinese “Double 12” sales campaign that began on Dec. 12. A Shangri-La Hotel has rolled out a 2,000-baht offer. These prices represent deep discounts from the 7,000 baht to 8,000 baht they usually charge.

Many five-star hotels have no choice but to lower their prices to two-star levels,” said Sammy Carolus, general manager at Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit.

As the nation requires a 14-day quarantine for foreign travelers, once the driver of Thai tourism, hotels have switched tack to attract affluent locals instead. Average room rates in Thailand slid 16%…