The explosion killed one person and injured 30 others, some critically.

The exact value of the damage would be concluded by an investigation led by Muang Pattani Municipality along with the provincial authority and engineers, he added. However, based on his experience in construction, Ekkachai said the damage could amount to Bt30 million because nearly all of the hotel’s 87 rooms needed to be repaired and the interiors would have to be renovated.

He added that the hotel would have to pay for the repairs itself because it did not have insurance.

The hotel would keep its 150 staff members and pay them during the refurbishment period, Ekkachai said, adding that the hotel would seek assistance from the government because it would incur monthly expenses of Bt1.2 million.

“I think state agencies will step in to help according to their existing measures, but I want them to consider implementing the assistance faster. The request is not just for this venue – which was worst-hit in the attack – but also for businesses nearby and the 30 affected residents,” he said.

He said he was determined to continue investing in the hotel despite the damage inflicted by the bomb attack. “For now we’ll keep fighting because we have already settled here and have 150 members of staff to take care of including their families. I can’t just leave them because we are family,” Ekkachai said.

He said he held a meeting with staff after the attack to see what could be done to overcome the crisis.

“We will continue fighting side by side. Some business friends also brought their workers along to help clear the scene and give us encouragement.

“This is the first time that we have been directly hit since the hotel opened in 2005. We still believe in our business and will carry on,” he said.