Pattaya, Thailand, March 3, 2025 / TRAVELINDEX / An experienced professional with three decades of experience in the luxury hotel industry at some of Thailand's largest hotel chains and a passion for teaching and mentoring others has been appointed Head Chef of the Meliá Pattaya Hotel.

Thai national Thaneht “Keng” Naovarat has joined the 234-room Meliá Pattaya hotel in the heart of vibrant Pattaya to oversee its diverse culinary landscape, which pays tribute to Pattaya’s ethnic diversity.

Other establishments under his management include the Lay Beach Club on Beach Road overlooking Pattaya Beach, the hotel's rooftop restaurant and bar Yitong Chinese Restaurant & Sky Bar, serving Cantonese cuisine with some Sichuan dishes, the all-day restaurant Sanehh Sarae, specializing in fresh local seafood, and the Japanese-Peruvian Nikkei restaurant Den.

Prior to joining the Meliá Pattaya Hotel, Naovarat was Executive Chef at the Marriott Chiang Mai and the Holiday Inn Chiang Mai. He also served as Culinary Director of W Hotels Bangkok and worked as a consulting chef for various establishments, including The Firm Club and Restaurant and The Cured Chamber in Bangkok.

His career took him to North America and Europe, where he worked for major cruise lines and prepared a wide range of international dishes. After returning to his native Thailand, he rose through the ranks at various five-star hotels and became the first Thai head chef at a Starwood hotel in Thailand.

“Keng’s many talents include his exceptional ability to create a unique experience that authentically connects guests with the local culture through the cuisine,” said Javier Gimeno, General Manager of the Meliá Pattaya Hotel. “He places great emphasis on using regional ingredients to ensure our dishes reflect Pattaya’s rich heritage and supports local farmers and sustainable fish farming.”

“I place great importance on fostering creativity and collaboration within my team; the kitchen is a place where all team members contribute ideas, and everyone is encouraged to experiment and be innovative, while always keeping our ecological footprint in mind,” Naovarat added.

For more information or to book, visit melia.com, send an email to [email protected] or call +66 33 168 555.

About Asset World Corp Public Company Limited

Asset World Corp Public Company Limited (AWC), Thailand's leading integrated lifestyle real estate group and a member of the TCC Group, is reshaping Thailand's hospitality, commercial, and lifestyle destinations with its diversified portfolio located in prime locations across the country. AWC is committed to creating groundbreaking new projects that not only set new industry standards but also strengthen Thailand's position as a global destination for sustainable tourism. Working in partnership with world-renowned companies such as Marriott International, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Nobu Hospitality, Okura Hotels, Banyan Tree, Melia International, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Accor, and Hyatt, AWC delivers unforgettable experiences. Its portfolio includes flagship properties such as The Empire, Athenee Tower, Asiatique The Riverfront Destination, and Phenix, as well as world-class dining establishments like the "EA" Rooftop at The Empire, which offers world-class cuisine. AWC aims to provide exceptional experiences while promoting sustainability in all areas of its business, creating long-term sustainable value for all stakeholders through initiatives under the three pillars of "Better Planet, Better People, and Better Prosperity" (3BETTERs), driving innovation and responsibility to inspire millions of people and elevate Thailand's tourism and real estate industries to a new level.

About Meliá Hotels & Resorts

Meliá operates 125 hotels in Europe (56), the Americas (18), Cuba (16), Africa (5), and Asia (30). We have a presence in 32 countries and are currently developing 21 hotels in 11 countries. Meliá Hotels & Resorts is characterized by its unique Spanish style in the hotel industry, as well as by warmth, personal attention, and a passion for service. In this way, we offer our guests a unique wellness experience. Our Spanish warmth and spontaneity are part of our Mediterranean roots and shape the Meliá experience. This experience is enhanced by thoughtful additional services. We pay attention to every detail and offer each guest a personalized experience. How do we understand wellness within the MELIÁ brand? We view wellness from an innovative perspective. Wellness is not limited to nutrition or spa treatments, but is holistic well-being. We want to convey wellness that includes everyone. It can be found in all aspects of the brand from different perspectives: physical well-being, spiritual well-being, leisure well-being, social well-being, professional well-being, ecological well-being, financial well-being, and nutritional well-being.

About Meliá Hotels International

Meliá Hotels International was founded in 1956 in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, and operates over 400 hotels in more than 40 countries, either already open or in the process of opening. Its portfolio comprises nine brands: Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts, ME by Meliá, The Meliá Collection, Paradisus by Meliá, Meliá Hotels & Resorts, ZEL, INNSiDE by Meliá, Sol by Meliá, and Affiliated by Meliá. The company is one of the world's leading leisure hotel chains and has successfully established itself in the growing market of leisure-oriented city hotels thanks to its long-standing experience in this sector. Its commitment to responsible tourism has led to Meliá being recognized as the most sustainable European hotel company worldwide (S&P Global's 2024 Sustainability Yearbook Member) and as a Top Employer 2024 in Spain, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Italy, Germany, France, and Vietnam.