RNS Number:4574J
Thistle Hotels PLC
31 March 2003


                         THISTLE HOTELS PLC ("THISTLE")
                         RESPONSE TO PRESS SPECULATION

In the light of recent press speculation, the Board of Thistle* confirms that
following the announcement of BIL International Limited's ("BIL") offer on 4
March 2003 it has received approaches from a number of parties. These approaches
relate to a range of potential alternative transactions, including possible
competing offers for Thistle and the disposal of certain of its hotel assets.

Discussions regarding these alternatives are at various stages and there can be
no certainty that any such transaction will be concluded.

Ian Burke, Chief Executive Officer of Thistle said:

    "We said in response to BIL's offer that we would review options to maximise
    value for all of Thistle's shareholders. We have entered into discussions
    following approaches from a number of interested parties to determine
    whether there is a proposal which will generate additional value for our
    shareholders."

If appropriate, a further announcement will be made in due course.

Enquiries:

Thistle Hotels Plc                                     Telephone: 020 7895 2304
Ian Burke, Chief Executive Officer

Merrill Lynch International                            Telephone: 020 7995 2000
Simon Mackenzie-Smith, Managing Director
Richard Nourse, Managing Director

Deutsche Bank                                          Telephone: 020 7545 8000
James Agnew, Managing Director, Corporate Broking

Hogarth Partnership Limited                            Telephone: 020 7357 9477
Nick Denton
Chelsea Hayes

* The Board of Thistle for these purposes comprises all of the directors of
Thistle other than Tan Sri Quek Leng Chan and Mr Arun Amarsi, who in view of
their positions as Chairman and CEO, respectively, of BIL have not participated
in the deliberations of the board in relation to BIL's offer to acquire all of
the shares in Thistle not already owned by BIL.

Merrill Lynch International and Deutsche Bank AG are acting for Thistle Hotels
Plc and for no-one else in connection with BIL's offer for Thistle Hotels Plc
and will not be responsible to anyone other than Thistle Hotels Plc for
providing the protections afforded to clients of Merrill Lynch International or
Deutsche Bank AG or for providing advice in relation to such offer.

END


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