Bangkok condo chaos: Illegal Sukhumvit rentals get eviction notice
Director General of the Department of Provincial Administration Chaiwat Juntiraphong targetted Bangkok’s bustling Sukhumvit area as part of a crackdown on illegal daily rentals in four condo units.
Sparked by noise and security grievances lodged at the Damrongtham Centre, these actions align with the Hotel Act 2004. Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul ordered the clampdown to restore order and address public concerns.
The swoop, led by Ronarong Thipsiri, Deputy Director General of the Department, administrative officials and territorial defence volunteers, charged property owners with running unlicensed hotels. The property owners now face fines and legal consequences.
Officials warn that illicit rentals disrupt communities and jeopardise tenant safety. The public is urged to report any suspicious rentals or disturbances to the Damrongtham Center or local offices, ensuring a speedy investigation and resolution.
The ripples of this operation have reached Pattaya, where locals have engaged local reporters for reviews and support regarding their own condominium issues.
In Thailand, the Hotel Act B.E. 2547 (2004) governs short-term rentals like condominiums. Renting for less than 30 days without a hotel licence is classified as a “hotel” operation, meant for larger businesses with strict safety and regulatory standards.
The law aims to regulate tourism accommodations, ensure safety compliance, and shield the hotel industry from unfair competition, although enforcement may vary, reported Pattaya News.
Meanwhile, a well-known Facebook page raised concerns over Chinese property owners purchasing condominiums and illegally renting them out as short-term accommodations, bypassing hotel registration regulations.
According to the page, residents in affected buildings have reported ongoing issues, particularly with units being let through platforms such as Airbnb. Many have noted a constant stream of foreign visitors arriving with luggage, making the building feel more like a hotel than a residential complex.
It is claimed that the majority of these condo owners are Chinese investors who possess multiple units across different floors, in some cases occupying more than half of an entire floor.
Local residents are increasingly frustrated, as these short-term rentals effectively operate as unlicensed hotels, creating significant disruption.
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