On 28 February 2019, H.E. Mr. Nathapol Khantahiran, Ambassador of Thailand to the State of Qatar, attended the press conference and the official grand opening of Centara West Bay Residences & Suites Doha. The event was attended by a number of Ambassadors and diplomats, as well as senior representatives from both public and private sectors in Qatar. Mr. Thirayuth Chirathivat, Chief Executive Officer, Centara Hotels & Resorts, attended the press conference and inaugurate the opening ceremony. Centara West Bay Residences & Suites Doha is a joint project between Centara Group and Al Thuraya Real Estate Development & Marketing Co, W.L.L. The hotel is the second Centara hotel in the Middle East after making its debut in the region with the opening of Centara Muscat in 2017. Over the next five years, Centara aims to double its size with additional properties in Thailand and new international markets, while spreading its footprint into new continents and market niches. With its first footprint in Doha, the hotel aims  to attract an increasing number of tourists and football fans who will visit Qatar when the country hosts the World Cup in 2022.