Foreigners who have purchased condominium units and rented them out as hotels are breaching Thai law, Deputy Government Spokesman Anukul Prueksanusak stated on Friday.
This warning comes after authorities discovered numerous cases of Chinese nationals renting out their condo units to international tourists through Airbnb.
The crackdown follows complaints from condominium residents, primarily in the Sukhumvit area, about ongoing disturbances, including loud noise, cannabis use, and damage to shared property caused by short-term guests and visitors.
Residents shared their complaints online, noting that the disruptive short-term occupants were tourists who secured rooms through online platforms, with the properties owned by Chinese nationals and listed as Airbnb rentals.
For entry into the condo and individual rooms, keycards were placed in lockboxes equipped with digital codes for tourists, compromising resident safety, according to these complaints.
Some residents reported that their condo juristic offices addressed these issues by banning the installation of public lockboxes on the premises.
Nevertheless, the Chinese investors circumvented this by placing lockboxes in public spaces adjacent to the property, including on trees, light poles, and street-side food carts.
Mr. Anukul explained that foreign investors acquiring condos to provide daily rental services through Airbnb without proper permits are infringing upon the Hotel Act of 2004.
Violators are subject to a fine of up to 20,000 baht, with an additional penalty of 10,000 baht per day until the cessation of such activities. Additionally, most condo regulations explicitly prohibit daily rentals.
Mr. Anukul further noted that the Ministry of Interior has directed the Department of Provincial Administration to rigorously monitor these cases and conduct inspections at suspected condos. He emphasized that all offenders, whether Thai or foreign, will be prosecuted.
Meanwhile, Aekvarunyoo Amrapala, spokesperson for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), confirmed reports of Chinese investors purchasing condos in prime tourist locations and offering them as daily rentals, which has been disruptive to other residents.
The BMA conducted inspections in condos along Sathon, Charoen Rat, Chan, and Sukhumvit 42 roads, where they found a lockbox at the last location, prompting further investigations by the Phra Khanong district office.
Mr. Aekvarunyoo highlighted the necessity for condominium juristic offices to monitor and report any suspicious activities strictly and enforce rules against daily rentals.
He emphasized the importance of raising public awareness regarding legal standards and the adverse effects of illegal rentals, urging the public to report any illegal activities.
He also pointed out that online rental platforms such as Airbnb need stricter regulation.
