This is VERY important for all Hosts and Travellers in, or going toThailand.
Due to the 2016 amendment to the Hotel Act hosts are now in most cases required to have a Hotel Licence.
There are many raids taking place around Thailand with owners being arrested, imprisoned and released after payment.
Lots of prosecution cases are now pending.
This is happening daily.
The LAW.
Condominiums are NOT ALLOWED to advertise or accept bookings of less than 30 DAYS.
IF you do not remove your listing you are likely to be raided, arrested and face fines and imprisonment.
Many other buildings and businesses are now illegal if they offer daily rentals without a licence or exemption.
30+ days is now the legal minimum.
Here is the 2016 amendment to the Hotel Act (1979)(2004):
On 19 August 2016, Thailand
Ministry of Interior
Ministerial Regulation Prescribing Descriptionsof Other Types of Building Used for a Hotel Business Operation 2016 under the Building Control
Act (1979)
The MR will remain in effect for five years. However, it applies only to buildings that existedbefore it came into force and whose owners desire to use the property as “Hotel” (as defined by the Hotel Act) with either:
(a) rooms only;
or
(b) rooms and food service/restaurant facilities.
The three categories of buildings that are eligible for this re-classification are as follows:
Type 1: a building with not more than two floors and not more than 10 rooms;
Type 2: a building that is not a Type 1 building and which does not have more than twentyrooms;
and
Type 3: a building that is not a Type 1 building and which does have more than twenty rooms.
As you can see a licence is required in most cases.
YES there is an exemption and a few have a licence. As an example Pattaya has only 200 - 300 hundred hotels with a licence.
Most accommodation is going to be limited or illegal throughout Thailand.
MORE can be found in groups like Thailand Hotel Act Information on your most common social media network or various pages like my legal hotel, thailand hotel act and my illegal hotel. You will find lots of useful information and a group to join and give you some security.
There is a FREE "check your business" to see if you are trading legally which is great for hosts.
MAYBE you will be lucky and are exempt from requiring a licence.
Unfortunately Airbnb are not able to offer any legal support or advice.
