The Central Group will reopen its Centara Grand Hotel and Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld next Tuesday, while the burned shopping complex itself should open its doors to shoppers again within three months.

The properties are at the epicentre of the recent civil disturbances in Bangkok.

"Both the hotel and the convention centre were undamaged by the rioting and subsequent fire at CentralWorld," Suthikiati Chirathivat, chairman of the executive board of Central Plaza Hotel, said yesterday.

Cleaning activities are running around the clock, and the company's staff is now on site to ensure normal functioning.

Despite the damage caused to the Rajprasong area and the extremely negative image that may have been formed by people watching television broadcasts and reading news accounts, Suthikiati believes the area will quickly revert to its usual vibrant self.

"Rajprasong and the Siam Square area form the heart of the city and have enjoyed a reputation as the shopping and leisure centre of Bangkok for many years - in fact, as one of the most famous such areas in Asia," he said.

"The concentration of shops, hotels, restaurants and leisure outlets is, I would say, unparalleled anywhere. I am confident business here will return very quickly for everyone."

Although the hotel and convention centre had remained open when the red-shirt protesters made the Rajprasong business and shopping area their main camp and used Central Square as their rallying stage, the facilities were closed when government armed forces moved in to clear them out.

- The Nation/Asia News Network