Rathawat Kuvijitrsuwan has joined as senior vice president, advisory and asset management for the division and will be based in Bangkok.
First timer support
He will be responsible for advising both domestic and international clients through development advisory, feasibility assessment, investment strategies, operator selection and contract negotiation, and asset management. JLL feels that having worked across all real estate asset classes, he will be well placed to support clients who are experienced in hospitality or first-time market entrants.
Kuvijitrsuwan assumes this leadership role as Thailand’s hospitality industry continues to rebound strongly following the covid-19 pandemic. JLL will further expand its role as market leading hotel advisor in Thailand, with a team of 12 hotel sector experts covering every key market in Thailand.
Thought leadership experience
Previously he was most recently CBRE’s head of research and consulting for Thailand. He held this position for close to five years, during which time he was responsible for advising clients on strategies and providing thought leadership across the entire Thai commercial property space.
He holds a master’s degree in real estate from Cornell University and a bachelor of science, architecture, from Chulalongkorn University.
Investment opportunities
Xander Nijnens, MD, head of advisory and asset management, Asia Pacific, JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group, said: “Thailand continues to be one of the most important and diverse hotel markets in Asia and we are delighted to have Khun Rathawat join us as we continue to expand our in-market advisory capabilities. Thailand offers some of the best value-add and greenfield investment opportunities in the region, underpinned by the beauty of the country, the welcoming and hospitable nature of the Thai people, and progressive tourism policies.”
Michael Glancy, country head for Thailand, JLL, added: “We are grateful to be working with the leading local and global real estate investors in Thailand and Khun Rathawat brings a real depth of expertise across all the sectors. This wide understanding of real estate in Thailand matched by his experience and passion for the hotel sector positions us exceptionally well to advise clients with diverse portfolios and mixed-use developments.”
In the southeast Asian region, JLL is currently involved with hotel projects including Marriott International’s Edition Singapore, bringing 204 keys online in Q3 2023; and the 322-room Wink Hotel Trung Hung Dao in Da Nang, Vietnam, from Vanguard Hotels’ Wink Hotels brand, which will open in Q1 2023.
