THAI authorities have made it clear that Airbnb – the incredibly successful online accommodation provider – is not going to have the same easy ride in Thailand that it enjoys in many other countries. Set up as recently as 2007, Airbnb has grown phenomenally and now outstrips most established hotel chains in the number of room it offers around the world. While some countries have welcomed Airbnb, whose room rates are often much lower than for similar accommodation in hotels, Thailand is determined to minimize its growth in the kingdom.
Opponents include the Thai Hotels Association (THA), which has called for legal action to be taken against people offering accommodation through Airbnb. Tourism Minister Kobkarn Wattanaavrangkul has responded by saying that those profiting by illegally renting out accommodation to tourists would be curbed by the imposition of the same taxes that legitimate hotels are required to pay.
Opponents include the Thai Hotels Association (THA), which has called for legal action to be taken against people offering accommodation through Airbnb. Tourism Minister Kobkarn Wattanaavrangkul has responded by saying that those profiting by illegally renting out accommodation to tourists would be curbed by the imposition of the same taxes that legitimate hotels are required to pay.
Catching offenders is now much easier after the Immigration Bureau made it a legal requirement for anybody who allows a foreign national to stay on their property to lodge their names and other details with the authorities. Failing to do so can result in severe penalties. The THA also argues that property owners who use Airbnb are in violation of the Hotel Act, as they do not have a proper hotel licence.
The Airbnb crackdown will go some way toward solving the issue of illegal hotels in Thailand. In popular tourist destinations like Phuket, it is said that more than three of every four hotels are operating illegally. With total arrivals in Thailand expected to set new records this year, the proper control of hotels is absolutely essential.
The Airbnb crackdown will go some way toward solving the issue of illegal hotels in Thailand. In popular tourist destinations like Phuket, it is said that more than three of every four hotels are operating illegally. With total arrivals in Thailand expected to set new records this year, the proper control of hotels is absolutely essential.
