On March 6, 2025, Mr. Chaninthon Roongthanakiat, the Deputy Permanent Secretary for Interior and member of the Thai parliament for the Pheu Thai Party, expressed growing concerns about the current state of daily condo rentals across the country. Speaking at the assembly, he outlined the potential dangers posed by these rentals to the formal hotel industry and highlighted the absence of required taxation compared to licensed operators.
Mr. Roongthanakiat emphasized the significant impact these unregulated daily rentals have on the hotel business, particularly as they lack adherence to safety standards established for legitimate enterprises. He stated, "This attitude allows for the establishment of what can be termed 'ghost hotels', devoid of proper safety supervision, endangering tourist safety and creating unfair competition within the hotel sector." According to him, without regulatory oversight, such practices can render residential buildings more like public spaces, leading to risks to the life and property of other residents.
The Thai Hotel Act B.E. 2547 mandates licensing for all hotels providing daily tenancy; hence, Mr. Roongthanakiat called for stricter enforcement of this law. He noted, "This matter requires urgent attention from the provincial authorities to safeguard the rights of other residents and to uphold industry standards." He proposed amendments to the Hotel Act to include provisions for various new lodging formats like hostels and homestays, aimed at legitimizing smaller accommodations under the law. This move seeks to promote entrepreneurship among smaller operators and boost the tourism sector by creating jobs and business opportunities.
Alongside these remarks, on the same day, Mr. Kosin Mamu, the MP for Pattani Region 2 from the Palang Pracharat Party, addressed the House of Representatives about the pressing issues faced by residents of Tha Kam Cham subdistrict. Specifically, he brought attention to the confusion surrounding land claims between districts Patani and Songkhla, particularly around the coastal areas which have seen erosion and new land formation.
Mr. Kosin voiced concerns during the assembly, insisting on transparency from the Ministry of Interior. He requested the provincial governors of both Pattani and Songkhla to clarify the boundaries to assist local leadership in addressing these urgent land disputes. He stated, "Clear demarcation of territory is necessary for alleviating the local populace's concerns and enabling the Tambon administrative organization at Tha Kam Cham to take effective action," highlighting the importance of local governance.
Beyond boundary disputes, he also raised issues about the need for urgent governmental action concerning infrastructure, particularly the construction of bridges like the one crossing the Bang Rapha River. Local authorities had applied for funding from the Pattani provincial administrative organization, but faced delays from the forest authority over construction permissions.
He noted, "Today, the Pattani province's budget for 2024 has been stalled due to these setbacks. The bridge's current condition poses significant risks to residents who rely on it for transportation; it is dilapidated and may lead to accidents if not urgently addressed."
Mr. Kosin concluded by urging the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to prioritize the evaluation of these projects and facilitate necessary repairs to avoid jeopardizing public safety.
Both Mr. Roongthanakiat and Mr. Kosin's appeals reflect broader concerns within Thailand's political discourse surrounding regulatory oversight and local governance. The issues they raised not only reflect significant challenges facing the tourism and residential sectors but also call attention to the urgent need for legislative changes to accommodate the realities of both developers and residents.
With calls for the hotel act reform and the diligent attention to local governance and infrastructure needs, Thailand's policymakers are being pressed to act quickly to navigate these socio-economic challenges and improve the quality of life for residents nationwide.