By Dinushka Chandrasena 

As ONYX Hospitality Group marks six decades, Vice President – Commercial Marketing Pornthip Paothong tells Travel Talk Asia why one evening could never be enough, how Thai creativity is being woven into the guest journey, and where Sri Lanka fits into the group’s next chapter. 

Few hospitality companies in Asia can say they have grown up alongside the region’s travel story. ONYX Hospitality Group can. Founded in Thailand six decades ago, the Bangkok-headquartered group has evolved into a multi-brand hotel management company, home to Amari, OZO and Shama, with a presence that now reaches well beyond its home market. 

This year, ONYX marks its 60th anniversary. On a recent visit to Bangkok, Travel Talk Asia sat down with Khun Pornthip Paothong, known to many in the industry simply as Khun Sa -Vice President Commercial Marketing, to talk about what the milestone means and where the group is heading next. 

For Khun Sa, the anniversary is about people first. “Sixty years is more than a corporate milestone,” she says. “It represents six decades of people, partnerships and shared experiences. It is a moment to honour those who have shaped ONYX Hospitality Group, from our team members and hotel owners to our partners and the millions of guests who have stayed with us over the years.” 

The group has chosen ‘Legacy in Motion’ as its anniversary theme, a phrase she says captures a company that is proud of its past but not standing still. “We are proud of our heritage, and we continue to evolve our brands, experiences and capabilities for the future. That spirit also guides our vision to be the best medium-sized hospitality management company in Asia-Pacific.” 

So why stretch the celebrations across a full year rather than marking the occasion with a single gala? “Sixty years cannot be meaningfully captured in one evening,” she explains. Instead, ONYX is rolling out guest experiences, brand initiatives, partnerships and activities across its portfolio throughout the year. “This gives guests, colleagues, owners and communities in different markets the opportunity to take part and experience ‘More of What You Love’ in their own way.” 

Thai heritage, told in a contemporary voice 

A central thread of the anniversary year is a series of collaborations with Thai partners. Khun Sa is clear that authenticity, for ONYX, does not mean freezing tradition in place. “Our approach is rooted in Thai hospitality, shaped by a global perspective and brought to life with a regional focus,” she says. “For us, Thai heritage is not about presenting tradition in a fixed way. It is about expressing the warmth, generosity and creativity that make people feel genuinely welcome, in ways that resonate with guests today.” 

Partners were chosen because they share those values and bring their own modern reading of Thai creativity and lifestyle. Each collaboration, she notes, had to connect naturally with the group’s brands and add something real to the guest experience. 

The result spans design, dining, local discovery, fashion, wellbeing and everyday convenience. “The collaborations feel authentic because they are thoughtfully integrated into moments throughout the guest journey,” she says. “They also introduce contemporary Thai creativity to international travellers in a way that feels accessible and relevant to their interests.” 

Timeless values for today’s traveller 

How does a 60-year-old company keep Thai hospitality fresh? By separating what never changes from what must. “The essence of Thai hospitality remains timeless: warmth, attentiveness and generosity of spirit,” Khun Sa says. “What continues to evolve is how we express it for today’s traveller.” 

She points to shifting guest priorities – personalisation, cultural connection, convenience and meaningful experiences. ONYX’s task, in her words, is “to preserve the human touch while strengthening it through contemporary design, technology, local knowledge and a deeper understanding of guest preferences.” 

That thinking shows up across the group’s three core brands: 

• Amari is being elevated through more purposeful experiences and deeper local discovery. 

• OZO delivers energetic, efficient stays for travellers who want to make the most of every destination. 

• Shama carries its ‘A Joy of Living’ philosophy into extended-stay communities across Asia. 

Guests can expect more experiences, partnerships and brand initiatives under the ‘More of What You Love’ banner as the anniversary year unfolds. For hotel owners and industry partners, Khun Sa frames the milestone as a statement of long-term intent: to grow responsibly across Asia-Pacific. “Our Thai roots give us a distinctive hospitality philosophy; our global perspective helps us understand changing guest expectations; and our regional focus helps us apply both in ways that make sense for each market.”