Thai Hotels Association Demands Stricter Laws Against Illegal Condo Rentals

The Thai Hotels Association (THA) is urging the government to amend existing laws and enforce stricter legal measures to address the growing issue of illegal daily condo rentals by foreign investors. This practice, predominantly by Chinese nationals purchasing multiple units for short-term leases, undermines the local hotel industry and disrupts community harmony.

The Challenge of 'Zero-Dollar Condos'

Thienprasit Chaiyaphatranan, THA president, highlights the illegal nature of these 'zero-dollar condos' under Thai law. These units, rented out at prices significantly lower than hotels, not only harm the hotel business but also cause distress among local residents.

Proposed Legal Amendments

Current enforcement requires officials to pose as customers to gather evidence, a method that often catches only a fraction of offenders. Thienprasit suggests amending the law to allow arrests based on rental advertisements, eliminating the need for undercover operations.

Call for Heavier Penalties

With the hotel industry losing over 10 billion baht to these illegal rentals, the THA advocates for stricter penalties beyond the current 20,000 baht fine, emphasizing the need to protect Thailand's tourism sector and ensure tax compliance.