Thai govt warns foreigners on illegal condo rentals via Airbnb
Foreigners purchasing condominium units in Thailand and renting them out as hotels are infringing on local laws, the government announced yesterday through Deputy Government Spokesperson Anukul Prueksanusak. This warning follows reports of Chinese nationals leasing their condos to tourists via Airbnb.
Residents in certain condominiums, particularly in the Sukhumvit area, have lodged complaints about disturbances caused by short-term tenants. Issues such as excessive noise, cannabis smoking, and damage to communal property have been highlighted. The complaints, shared online, reveal that these short-term tenants are tourists who booked rooms through online platforms, with the rooms owned by Chinese nationals and offered as Airbnb rentals.
The practice of providing tourists with keycards via lockboxes with digital codes has raised safety concerns among residents. Some condominiums have addressed these issues by banning the installation of public lockboxes on the property. However, Chinese investors have countered by placing lockboxes in public spaces nearby, such as on trees, light poles, or street-side food carts.
Anukul stated that foreign investors renting out condos on a daily basis through platforms like Airbnb without proper permits are breaching the Hotel Act 2004. Offenders could face fines up to 20,000 baht, with an additional 10,000 baht fine for each day the illegal activity continues. Most condominium regulations prohibit daily rentals.
The Ministry of Interior has instructed the Department of Provincial Administration to closely oversee the situation and conduct inspections of suspicious condominiums. Anukul emphasised that all violators, regardless of nationality, will face legal consequences, reported Bangkok Post.
Aekvarunyoo Amrapala, spokesperson for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), confirmed instances of Chinese investors purchasing condos in popular tourist areas and renting them out daily, disturbing other residents. The BMA conducted inspections in areas like Sathorn, Charoen Rat, Chan, and Sukhumvit 42 roads, discovering a lockbox at the latter site. This prompted the BMA to urge the Phra Khanong District Office to investigate further.
Aekvarunyoo mentioned that condominium juristic offices must monitor and report suspicious activities, enforcing rules against daily rentals. He stressed the importance of public awareness about the legal issues and negative impacts of illegal rentals and encouraged the public to report any infractions. Regulation of online rental platforms like Airbnb is also necessary.
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