Thailand

Langham Hospitality Group (LHG) has appointed General Manager Nick Downing to be at the helm of the upcoming flagship, heritage hotel The Langham, Custom House, Bangkok. The appointment is the first of a series of key hires the Group is making ahead of the riverside retreat’s opening in late 2026.

Downing brings more than three decades of luxury hospitality experience from across Southeast Asia, Australia and the Indian Ocean, and is widely recognised for his track record of shaping new luxury hotels into standout destinations for the world’s most discerning travellers. He most recently served as General Manager of The Siam in Bangkok, leading the independent urban resort to international acclaim – including a coveted place on the World’s 50 Best Hotels list and a Michelin three-key distinction.

His previous leadership roles span both corporate and on-property positions, including posts at Minor Hotel Group, where he managed a cluster of 12 hotels; W Retreat Koh Samui, which he successfully repositioned; and Per Aquum Hotels & Resorts, where he steered key development projects and the seamless opening of the renowned Huvafen Fushi resort.

“This appointment is a clear statement of intent,” said Sherona Shng, LHG’s Regional Vice President – Operations, Asia. “We are building The Langham, Custom House, Bangkok to be one of the most distinctive and desirable hotels in the region. Nick’s ability to elevate properties into cultural icons, with a focus on people, partnerships and place, makes him the ideal person to bring the extraordinary hotel to life.”

Located in Bangkok’s Bang Rak District, The Langham, Custom House, Bangkok is being developed by Rabbit Holdings, a subsidiary of BTS Group. The 78-key hotel will occupy a striking site along the Chao Phraya River and incorporate the city’s historic Custom House building, an architectural treasure that is being meticulously restored as part of the project.

Signature features at the property will include an outpost of The Langham, Hong Kong’s three-Michelin-star Cantonese restaurant, T’ang Court, a unique destination bar and an outlet dedicated to serving world-class pastry creations. Together, these elements will set a new benchmark for luxury hospitality in Bangkok, blending heritage and modernity in one of the city’s most iconic locations.