Amari Bangkok and ONYX Hospitality Group Celebrate International Women’s Day with “Stories of Women, Power & Purpose
Amari Bangkok, in collaboration with ONYX Hospitality Group and the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce in Thailand (JFCCT), together with partners including BeluThai, the Thai-Swedish Chamber of Commerce, the Norwegian-Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Spanish-Thai Chamber of Commerce, commemorated International Women’s Day with a meaningful gathering at Amber & Sage, bringing together partners, community leaders and guests to celebrate the strength, resilience and contributions of women under the theme “Stories of Women, Power & Purpose.”
The event reflected the global theme for this year’s International Women’s Day, “Give to Gain,” and created a platform for open dialogue on women’s empowerment, leadership and the importance of creating opportunities for meaningful social impact. Through a panel discussion featuring speakers from diverse backgrounds, the conversation explored topics ranging from the origins and purpose of International Women’s Day to the importance of second chances, social reintegration and inclusive growth.
In the hospitality industry, where people are at the heart of every experience, women play a vital role in shaping service excellence and driving organizational success. At Amari Bangkok, female team members from diverse nationalities and across different generations contribute significantly to delivering memorable guest experiences and fostering a culture of empathy, collaboration and professionalism.
“Hospitality is ultimately a people-driven industry, where service is delivered by people for people,” said Mr. Jose Luis Duran Sanles, General Manager of Amari Bangkok. “Women play an important role across many key functions within a hotel from guest relations and front office to housekeeping, marketing, human resources and food and beverage. Creating opportunities for women to grow and lead not only strengthens our teams, but also reflects the broader global movement toward gender equality and empowerment. As hotels naturally bring together people from diverse cultures, they also have the potential to serve as platforms for meaningful conversations and community initiatives that support positive social change.”
Echoing this perspective, Mr. Sukamal Mondal, Vice President, Operations – Amari & Oriental Residence, emphasized the importance of diversity and inclusion in the hospitality sector. “As a people-driven industry, hospitality thrives on diversity, empathy and collaboration,” he said. “International Women’s Day provides an important opportunity to celebrate the contributions of women across our sector while reinforcing our commitment to creating opportunities, supporting leadership and building an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.”
One of the highlights of the event was the introduction of LookBeyond, a community initiative focused on empowering women through vocational training and the development of a Learning Lab designed to equip female inmates with practical skills that can support their reintegration into society.
The Learning Lab will serve as a hands-on training environment where participants can develop craftsmanship skills, including a boutique fashion tailoring workshop equipped with essential tools and equipment. The initiative aims to provide women with opportunities to build confidence, develop employable skills and pursue sustainable livelihoods upon their return to society.
To showcase the creativity and craftsmanship behind the programme, the event featured a mini fashion show presented by the Amari Bangkok team, highlighting handcrafted products created by women inmates. The showcase celebrated their creativity, resilience and dedication, while demonstrating the positive impact that initiatives like LookBeyond can bring to communities.
Guests also enjoyed a networking session accompanied by the specially curated “Afternoon Tea Series: The Story of Women,” available at Maitree Bar at Amari Bangkok until 31 May 2026. A portion of the proceeds from afternoon tea vouchers, along with selected Breeze Spa vouchers, will be donated to support the LookBeyond initiative at the Central Women’s Correctional Institution and contribute to future career development opportunities for the women involved.
Through initiatives such as this, ONYX Hospitality Group continues to reinforce its commitment to empowering communities, fostering inclusivity and creating meaningful opportunities that help women build brighter futures.
