How love, loss, and three little dogs led one couple to find a new kind of home at Shama Yen-Akat.
For Thitinad, the journey began in grief. When her father passed away from COVID-19, the family home in Bang Na became unbearable— every corner filled with memories too heavy to bear.
“I once walked past the laundromat I used to visit with Dad,” she recalls. “I just broke down in tears.”
Once known for her bright smile, she found herself hollowed out, unable to stay among the shadows of the past. Every street corner seemed to whisper his absence, each familiar place an aching reminder of what she had lost.
Her partner, Pawarisa, suggested that a true change of environment might help. So they left the house behind and began moving from hotel to hotel, three Maltese dogs in tow—Kimi, Akradecha and Mata— searching for somewhere to feel at peace.
It wasn’t that the hotels weren’t perfect. They were. The sheets crisp, the service polished, the butlers always on hand.
But that was the problem. “Sometimes perfect protocol can make you feel a bit off,” she admits. “They’d send a plate of chocolates when something went wrong. It looked flawless, but it didn’t feel human.”
And for the dogs, the struggle was greater still. Most hotels treated pets as an afterthought: sealed windows, no balconies, restrictions in lobbies and restaurants, even separate entrances to avoid “disturbing” other guests. Walking through the back entrance while other guests strolled the lobby freely left them feeling unwelcome, even diminished.
“It was like being second-class citizens,” says Pawarisa. “We couldn’t share the same spaces with everyone else.”
One evening, driving through Bangkok, the warm glow of Shama Yen-Akat caught their eye. Unlike the faceless towers they had been drifting through, this one looked alive, almost beckoning.
A few days later they checked in, and everything changed. Here, the balconies opened to sunlight and birdsong, the “kids” could watch the world outside, and the staff welcomed them with genuine affection.
“The dogs are happy here,” Thitinad smiles. “And when they’re happy, we’re happy.”
This was the turning point. For once, the couple didn’t feel like temporary guests; they felt part of a community. The staff weren’t just service providers—they became friends, remembered names, asked after the dogs, and offered sincere apologies instead of rehearsed gestures when things went wrong.
“That sincerity means more to me than a silver tray of chocolates,” says Thitinad.
The excellent location mattered too. Shama Yen-Akat was close to expressways, near shops and restaurants, and highly convenient for Pawarisa’s work. They tried different room types, finally settling on the smallest—because that was where Kimi, their eldest girl, slept best. For Thitinad, the pets’ comfort always came first.
Over time, what began as a refuge became something far deeper. Thitinad brought small treats for the staff, picked up Burmese words to connect with some team members, even helped a new security guard manage incoming cars.
Her earlier doubts slowly faded away. Would neighbours pry, as in a condominium? Would the pets be treated as a nuisance? Would hospitality mean protocol instead of compassion? Each fear was quietly erased—not with grand gestures, but with small, genuine acts of kindness.
“At other hotels, when I checked out, I just settled the bill and drove away. Here, it would feel like leaving family.” says Thitinad.
Even today, though they could easily afford to purchase a house, the couple have no desire to move.
The bonds they have built, the comfort of the community, and the joy of seeing their pets so content outweigh the appeal of owning bricks and mortar.
The lesson is clear: true hospitality isn’t measured in flawless service or luxury. It’s found in the everyday— sincere smiles, patience, and the reassurance that both people and pets are truly valued.
Two years on, Shama Yen-Akat is no longer simply a residence. For Thitinad and Pawarisa, it is sanctuary, community and home.
And in the heart of bustling Bangkok, where countless lights glow in the night, one shines brighter—because it holds their story.
The Guests
For two years now, Thitinad Dardarananda and Pawarisa Udomthanapat have called Shama Yen-Akat home. With their three beloved Maltese—Kimi, Akradecha and Mata—they’ve found not only comfort, but a community of staff and neighbours who feel like family.
About Shama Yen-Akat
Tucked into one of Bangkok’s peaceful yet central corners, Shama Yen-Akat feels more like a friendly community than a hotel. Stroll to nearby cafés, explore leafy lanes with your pet, or retreat to spacious apartments designed for comfort. Here, city living comes with warmth, ease, and a genuine sense of home.
About Heartmade
Heartmade is a storytelling series by ONYX Hospitality Group, created to celebrate our guests and the moments that make their journeys truly special.
Each story shines a light on real guests — their kindness, resilience, and memories that stay long after check-out. Because these stories aren’t just about our hotels; they’re about you — and the heartfelt connections that make every stay unforgettable.