Langham Hospitality Group Announces Star-Studded Culinary Lineup for The Langham, Custom House, Bangkok Ahead of December Opening

Langham Hospitality Group has officially unveiled an ambitious and star-studded food and beverage programming strategy for its highly anticipated property, The Langham, Custom House, Bangkok, scheduled to open its doors in December. The newly revealed dining and drinking ecosystem positions the upcoming luxury hotel as a major social and cultural hub situated along the historic Chao Phraya River. Spearheaded by a world-class collective of acclaimed chefs, mixologists, and culinary innovators, the hotel’s venues are designed to merge rich historical heritage with contemporary global gastronomy.

The culinary blueprint encompasses four distinct concepts: Roi Chak Sam, a contemporary Thai restaurant; The Cotton Room, an all-day dining venue offering breakfast, afternoon tea, and a modern Indian lunch and dinner menu; T’ang Court, the continuation of Langham’s globally acclaimed Cantonese dining legacy; and Crowntail, a sophisticated riverside cocktail bar framing panoramic views of Bangkok’s primary waterway.

Historical Context and Architectural Significance

The selection of the Custom House as the site for Langham’s newest venture carries profound historical weight. Originally established in 1888 during the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), the neoclassical structure served as the primary port of entry for international maritime trade, diplomats, and travelers arriving in the Kingdom of Siam. For decades, the edifice stood as the physical and symbolic gateway between Thailand and the wider world, facilitating international commerce and cultural exchange.

Over the years, as Bangkok’s urban landscape evolved and port operations shifted downstream, the architectural landmark awaited a purposeful revitalization. The impending opening of The Langham, Custom House, Bangkok, represents the culmination of painstaking preservation efforts aimed at restoring the heritage property to its former architectural glory while repurposing it for modern luxury hospitality.

Bob van den Oord, Chief Executive Officer of Langham Hospitality Group, emphasized the property’s historical resonance in relation to its new culinary identity. "Established in 1888, Custom House once served as Thailand’s gateway to the world and, over time, came to symbolize the country’s openness to exchange, connection, and new ideas," van den Oord stated. "As it begins its next chapter at the heart of The Langham, Custom House, Bangkok, that spirit is being carried forward through restaurants and bars shaped by exceptional talent, thoughtful craft, and a deep respect for history. We want the hotel to not just be a destination for travelers, but a place where Bangkok comes together over cuisine, cocktails, and shared moments by the river."

An Assembly of Culinary Icons

To fulfill this vision, Langham Hospitality Group has assembled an elite roster of food and beverage professionals whose collective achievements span Michelin stars, top-tier international restaurant rankings, and decades of operational excellence in the world’s most competitive hospitality markets.

The culinary leadership team features several prominent figures in the Asian and global dining scenes:

• Thittid “Ton” Tassanakajohn: Appointed to helm Roi Chak Sam, Chef Tassanakajohn is widely recognized as a titan of modern Thai cuisine. His flagship restaurant, Le Du, captured the prestigious No. 1 spot on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2023. At Roi Chak Sam, Tassanakajohn is expected to apply his rigorous analytical approach and deep reverence for indigenous Thai ingredients to contemporary preparations.
• Garima Arora: Tasked with leading The Cotton Room, Chef Arora brings international acclaim as the chef and owner of Gaa in Bangkok, the first Indian female chef to earn two MICHELIN stars. Under her guidance, The Cotton Room will offer a diverse culinary journey, transitioning from traditional breakfast and signature afternoon tea presentations to an innovative modern Indian lunch and dinner menu.
• Ricky Lin Quoping: Taking charge of T’ang Court, Chef Lin Quoping brings deep institutional knowledge from within the Langham brand family, drawing directly on his extensive experience at the renowned three-MICHELIN-starred T’ang Court at The Langham, Hong Kong. His appointment signals the brand’s commitment to maintaining uncompromising authenticity and haute-cuisine standards in its signature Cantonese dining concept.

Executive and Operational Leadership

Complementing the venue-specific chefs is a robust operational and creative team tasked with overseeing the day-to-day execution and overarching culinary philosophy of the expansive property:

• Phukvarun “Golf” Watchmon: Serving as executive chef, Watchmon brings more than 15 years of senior kitchen management experience within Bangkok’s most respected dining institutions. Watchmon will oversee broader culinary development across the property, ensuring cohesion among the diverse dining concepts.
• Prot Stitpittayayut: Appointed as executive pastry chef, Stitpittayayut contributes a wealth of French classical training paired with extensive international tenure in high-end kitchens across Paris, New York, and Bangkok. Stitpittayayut will direct the hotel’s comprehensive pastry production, including the conceptualization and execution of The Langham’s signature afternoon tea.
• Tom Hearn: Taking the role of bar manager at Crowntail, Hearn arrives with an impressive pedigree that includes tenure at world-renowned cocktail institutions, notably The American Bar at The Savoy in London. Hearn will be responsible for developing Crowntail’s beverage program, leveraging his expertise in classic mixology and contemporary cocktail trends to establish the bar as a premier riverside destination.

Chronology of Development and Pre-Opening Milestones

The announcement of the food and beverage programming marks a critical milestone in a multi-year development timeline for the property. Restoration and adaptive reuse construction on the historic Custom House site began following the awarding of the concession by the Treasury Department. Preserving the structural integrity of the 19th-century colonial-style architecture while integrating modern seismic, mechanical, and interior hospitality infrastructure required close collaboration between conservation architects, historians, and structural engineers.

Throughout the restoration process, careful attention was paid to original architectural details, including teakwood staircases, soaring ceilings, and arched porticos facing the Chao River. The integration of high-end commercial kitchens and specialized bar infrastructure into a heritage building presented distinct logistical challenges, which were systematically addressed over the course of the construction timeline leading up to the scheduled December launch.

Broader Economic and Tourism Implications

The debut of The Langham, Custom House, Bangkok, arrives at a pivotal juncture for Thailand’s tourism and hospitality sectors. As the country continues to target high-value travelers and position Bangkok as a definitive global capital for fine dining, luxury hotel developments with distinct cultural narratives are playing an increasingly vital role in economic strategies.

The strategic placement of culinary heavyweights like Tassanakajohn and Arora within a single property reflects a broader industry trend: the decentralization of hotel dining from generic continental menus to hyper-curated, destination-dining destinations that attract both international tourists and affluent local residents. By engaging culinary leaders who are deeply embedded in the local gastronomic fabric, international hospitality brands are increasingly seeking to validate their cultural authenticity and secure immediate market relevance upon opening.

Furthermore, the revitalization of the Custom House aligns with ongoing urban renewal initiatives along the Chao River, transforming underutilized historical waterfront zones into vibrant lifestyle and cultural districts. Analysts note that such developments stimulate adjacent local businesses, encourage pedestrian and riverine transit, and enhance the overall competitiveness of Bangkok’s luxury tourism corridor.

As December approaches, attention will turn to the final operational preparations, staff training regimens, and the ultimate unveiling of the spaces. With its blend of historic preservation, waterfront positioning, and an unmatched assembly of culinary talent, The Langham, Custom House, Bangkok, is poised to reshape the city’s high-end dining and hospitality landscape.