Experience the rare opportunity to celebrate the artistry of Thailand’s beloved mural artist with the restoration of Paiboon Suwannakudt’s iconic columns at Dusit Thani Bangkok, alongside a special Thai Afternoon Tea, from March 8 to 21.

Reopening in September 2024, among Dusit Thani Bangkok’s most treasured elements are two monumental 10-ton columns created in 1970 (the year the hotel was opened), adorned with murals by the renowned artist Paiboon Suwannakudt, also known as Tan Kudt. These pillars were once located in Benjarong, the Thai restaurant within the hotel, but were moved to the lobby after it was rebuilt.

To commemorate the centennial birthday of this iconic artist, Dusit Thani Bangkok, in collaboration with the artist’s family, is offering a chance to witness the restoration of these murals firsthand from 8 to 21 March. The restoration process, led by the artist’s heirs, Phaptawan and Kapkaew, takes place in the hotel’s Grand Lobby, creating an immersive cultural experience that is as rare as it is enriching.

A Rare Cultural Experience

Murals of this scale and significance are typically found in temples, not luxury hotels, which makes this live restoration particularly special. This is an invitation to observe, in real-time, the careful and delicate process of preserving a nearly six-decade-old masterpiece. It’s an art form in itself to witness the restoration of the murals, where precision, tradition and reverence all come into play.

As Kapkaew, one of the lead restorers and the daughter of Tan Kudt, shares,

“Restoring these murals feels like searching for the truth of how the original columns looked. But the deeper challenge lies in the unquenchable desire to know what my father was thinking when he created them.”

When reflecting on the process, Kapkaew’s words provide a rare insight into the heart of the artist’s work.

“My father used colour to evoke emotions, more so than traditional art. He’s the fun person, but within that fun, there’s a quiet serenity,”

she says.

“Unlike the more emotionally charged works of traditional Thai paintings, his murals bring a different kind of depth, one that invites you to pause and reflect.”

The restoration process itself is intricate and exacting.

• First comes the sanding, to remove old layers of paint and carefully re-outline the traditional Thai motifs with precision. Before this begins, the artists painstakingly copy the original designs to create stencils, ensuring every detail is captured accurately.

• Then the painstaking task of re-colouring follows, where the artists use techniques to ensure the hues of the original murals are faithfully preserved.

• Finally every stroke and detail is brought back to life, with the artists working meticulously to make sure each element respects and honours the artist’s vision.

Witness the Process First-Hand with A Culinary Tribute to Art

For those with a genuine interest in Thai art, the public is warmly invited to observe this unique restoration at Dusit Thani Bangkok’s Grand Lobby.

• On 8 and 9 March, from 9pm to 12am, guests watched as the artists begin the sanding and re-outlining of the Thai motifs.
• From 10 to 21 March, from 10am to 5pm, re-colouring and intricate detailing will take place.

To complement this experience, Dusit Thani Bangkok has crafted a special Thai Afternoon Tea set, designed to reflect both the traditional flavours of Thai cuisine and the life of the artist. This culinary experience is a tribute to Tan Kudt’s personal connections to these flavours. The 14 delicacies that make up this afternoon tea set have been thoughtfully created to highlight elements of Thai gastronomy while also honouring the artist’s life and legacy.

From the bite-sized mieng kham which features roasted peanut, lime, ginger and dried shrimp wrapped in betel leaves, to the playful yet traditional mung korn khab kaew—a stir-fried preserved turnip and peanut snack encased in orange jelly—each item reflects the culinary culture of Thailand. For those who appreciate the artistry of both food and culture, one must not miss kanom jeeb sai pla, a steamed rice dumpling shaped like a golden fish and filled with minced fish.

One of the standout offerings is kra ya sart, a caramelised grain and nut confection in a white chocolate cup designed to look like the iconic mural columns. Even the desserts, like the reinterpretation of mango sticky rice, take on a more personal significance, symbolising happiness and the celebration of life. When Tan Kudt’s children were young, their father would buy them mango sticky rice as a treat whenever they succeeded in their studies, such as earning good grades.

Available daily from 2pm to 5pm until 31 May, this afternoon tea set is priced at THB 2,450++ per set (for two people). Advance reservations are essential as the delicacies are prepared by hand.

For more details and reservations, please contact Dusit Thani Bangkok at +66 (0) 2200 9000 or email dtbk@dusit.com.