AWC Lays Foundation Stone for The Ritz-Carlton Bangkok, The Riverside: Preserving and Transforming The Long 1919 Riverside Heritage Destination and Songwad Road
- AWC has laid the foundation stone to commence construction of “The Ritz-Carlton Bangkok, The Riverside” under the AWC River Journey Project, blending luxury world-class service with the preservation of cultural heritage along the Chao Phraya River at The Long 1919 Riverside Heritage Destination and the Songwad area.
- The auspicious beginning included a ceremonial offering to the goddess Ma Jo at the historic building of The Long 1919 Riverside Heritage Destination, in collaboration with the community, demonstrating a commitment to revitalizing historical sites alongside developing the local community and passing on values to future generations.
- Spanning both banks of the Chao Phraya River, the design follows the yin-yang philosophy, creating a balance between energy and spirit through 19th-century Thai-Chinese architectural heritage and a new contemporary 20-story building, complete with electric boat services for seamless travel, set to open in 2028.
Asset World Corp Public Company Limited (AWC), a Thai real estate developer focused on comprehensive lifestyle solutions, in collaboration with Marriott International, marks a significant milestone by starting the construction of The Ritz-Carlton Bangkok, The Riverside, which will preserve and innovate the cultural heritage along the Chao Phraya River, including The Long 1919 Riverside Heritage Destination and the surrounding Songwad area. The foundation stone ceremony took place near the sacred Ma Jo shrine, featuring traditional offerings to the goddess Ma Jo, symbolizing a blessed start for the community and respect for the spiritual heritage of the site. The project is scheduled to open in 2028 and will be developed into an Integrated Wellness Destination and a global luxury service hub, encompassing fine dining and culturally immersive tourism that deeply connects with the community, creating long-term value through a destination that prominently reflects cultural heritage preservation while enhancing Bangkok's role as a global sustainable tourism destination.

Naowalapa Traisorat, CEO and Managing Director of Asset World Corp Public Company Limited (AWC), stated, “AWC is thrilled to collaborate with Marriott International to bring the ultra-luxury brand The Ritz-Carlton to this culturally rich destination. The laying of the foundation stone for The Ritz-Carlton Bangkok, The Riverside marks a significant step reflecting AWC's commitment to sustainable growth, creating long-term value through quality project development to offer a unique holistic wellness experience that transforms urban relaxation into a world-class resort in the heart of Bangkok while promoting sustainable tourism. This project not only preserves the invaluable Thai-Chinese heritage of The Long 1919 Riverside Heritage Destination and the Ma Jo shrine but also aligns with the government’s vision to promote Thailand’s tourism industry by creating a global lifestyle landmark to attract quality tourists from around the world. Additionally, the project connects travel routes through the AWC River Journey Project, promoting low-carbon tourism that links cultural landmarks along the Chao Phraya River, such as Songwad Road, Asiatique The Riverfront Destination, Pak Khlong Talat, and future projects like Wang Nakhon Kasem and Yaowarat, to sustainably promote cultural tourism in Bangkok's Thai-Chinese neighborhoods.”

“Marriott International believes that luxury service lies in valuing cultural heritage alongside balanced innovation. Our collaboration with AWC in developing The Ritz-Carlton Bangkok, The Riverside exemplifies this philosophy,” said Mr. Brad Edman, Vice President for Thailand, Cambodia, and Myanmar, Marriott International. “Transforming The Long 1919 Riverside Heritage Destination, a valuable cultural heritage site, into a global destination for health and culture while preserving Thai-Chinese heritage enhances Thailand's role as a leading global destination. This project serves as a model for sustainable tourism that integrates cultural preservation, community engagement, and international service standards to create a unique experience for travelers from around the world.”

The Long 1919 Riverside Heritage Destination was once a steamship port and a maritime trade center in Bangkok's past, and it remains one of the few ancient ports reflecting the wisdom and craftsmanship of Chinese artisans in Southeast Asia. Today, The Long 1919 Riverside Heritage Destination is registered as a national heritage site and continues to be a spiritual sanctuary, housing the Ma Jo shrine, a center of faith revered by generations.
With deep respect for cultural heritage, AWC is committed to preserving the history of "Hua Joon Long" (The Long 1919 Riverside Heritage Destination), a historical steamship port architecture representing the maritime glory of Siam in the 19th-20th centuries, undergoing restoration under the guidance of Associate Professor Dr. Peera Boonprasong, an architectural conservation expert from Silpakorn University, in collaboration with the Fine Arts Department and specialized design partners including Architect 49 Co., Ltd. (A49) and Adaptive Design and Dock Co., Ltd. This project adheres to international conservation standards, emphasizing architectural essence, structural integrity, and cultural value appropriately, utilizing construction techniques that reduce vibrations to protect the building structure and nearby communities, while traditional construction methods and materials similar to the originals will be used to restore the integrity of this unique architecture, ensuring that the beauty and cultural heritage of “Hua Joon Long” are well preserved.
The Ritz-Carlton Bangkok, The Riverside is inspired by the yin-yang philosophy, aiming to create a balance between tranquil energy and vibrant spirit, making it a serene retreat that harmoniously integrates wellness practices and cultural heritage across both banks of the Chao Phraya River. This project combines 19th-century architecture with a modern holistic health center, featuring a 20-story main building with luxury accommodations, a rooftop restaurant with panoramic views, a large ballroom, and various dining options, while two historic buildings will be restored into additional guest rooms, a restaurant, and a large health center, totaling 167 rooms. On the opposite bank, the Shophouse building on Songwad will be developed into meticulously designed accommodations to provide a truly immersive Thai-Chinese cultural experience along the Chao Phraya River, resulting in a total of 191 rooms, with both areas connected by electric boat services for convenient and seamless travel. Additionally, the project is designed under the concept of green building development and is in the process of seeking future certification, reflecting AWC's commitment to sustainable development and environmentally responsible business practices.
“This milestone reflects our commitment to collaboratively create a better future for everyone. The foundation stone ceremony today is not just the beginning of the project’s construction but a testament to our commitment to cultural heritage preservation and creating sustainable value through careful conservation, community engagement, and strict adherence to sustainability standards. The Ritz-Carlton Bangkok, The Riverside will be a world-class model of a project that seamlessly integrates cultural heritage and holistic health, supporting Thailand's role as a leader in sustainable tourism on a global scale,” Naowalapa concluded.