marcusmarsh

http://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/business/2018/07/06/in-a-first-govt-official-stands-by-airbnb-legality/

BANGKOK — A state agency has confirmed that homeowners who offer their rooms on Airbnb won’t face legal repercussion as long as they notify local authorities, an official said Friday.

In a first recognition of the global vacation home rental platform, the Department of Provincial Authority told Airbnb reps in a Tuesday meeting that existing laws allow private properties to operate as small tourist accommodations – or homestays – interior affairs official Suttipong Juljarern said.

“People who enforce the law, the Department of Provincial Authority, said clearly: if it’s your own home, it’s not a hotel,” Suttipong said at Friday news conference. “There’s no legal burden on rural homeowners as long as they register themselves as homestays.”

Read: Airbnb Teases Major ‘Partnership’ With Thai Gov’t

To qualify for such legal protection, homeowners who wish to rent out their spare rooms on Airbnb must register with the Department of Local Administration, or DLA, officials in their areas, said Suttipong, who heads the agency.

Officials will then inspect the properties to ensure that they are clean and safe for tourists. There is no registration fee, Suttipong said, adding that his department is also training its officials to work with Airbnb and urge homeowners in beautiful rural areas to offer their places as homestays via the website.

“We are like cupids,” Suttipong said. “Our role is to make people meet and fall in love. In this case, it’s tourists meeting beautiful nature and friendly way of life.” 

The first workshop between Airbnb and the department officials was also launched Tuesday, per an earlier statement from Airbnb that they would unveil its first cooperation with a Thai state agency, according to company spokeswoman Mich Goh.

“Today we are very proud and happy to announce a partnership with the DLA to promote local entrepreneurship,” Goh said. “This is the first official Airbnb partnership with Thai authorities.”

The legal exemption only applies to owners of private homes, and not condominium rooms. The Tuesday meeting did not discuss the legality of the latter, Suttipong said. 

Data provided by Airbnb says Thailand is home to more than 60,000 of its listings, generating a total of more than 4 billion baht in yearly revenue for the homeowners.

But its operation is frowned upon by some law enforcement officials, hotel owners and condominium juristic offices, who see them as a violation of a hotel law that bans private properties from offering daily and weekly rentals.

In January, a court in the southern resort town of Hua Hin found owners of two condominium guilty of violating the hotel law for leasing their rooms to tourists.

Although it was widely reported that the verdict was the first legal blowback to Airbnb, Goh said today that her firm was not mentioned anywhere in the court documents of that case.

In Friday’s news conference, Suttipong said he hopes Airbnb will introduce more foreign tourists to hidden gems of the Thai countryside and its cultures.

“I’m unashamed to say I am exploiting Airbnb to promote our local businesses,” he said. “We see that platforms such as Airbnb will be important in publicizing what’s good in rural areas that people around the world don’t know about yet.”

9 hours ago, sam neuts said:

The problem is that very few people have read the 2016 amendment to the Hotel Act which covers all building types that offer short term rentals. there is no 5 room or less exemption. I have started some FB pages and a group because this is going to affect so many people. Compliance is required by 2021.

My Illegal Hotel and Thailand Hotel Act Information group.

what are the names of those facebook groups please ?

On 01/03/2017 at 9:32 AM, ubonjoe said:

It may be the education ministry office in Surat Thani that is requiring it. It certainly is not a requirement to get a non-ed visa or extension at immigration.

Yes I believe that is the case. 

It seems that from today, at least here on Koh Phangan, that when applying for  a Education visa I need a criminal record check document from my UK embassy.

Cant see any thread on here about this but would appreciate being pointed in the right direction if there is one.

Has anyone ever had experience getting hold of one of these ?

How did you do it please ? Managed to get one by calling or emailing embassy ?

Any help is much appreciated.

I live on Koh Phangan and am looking to sell my Honda CB500F motorcycle.

Whats the best way to do this please ? The best place to advertise ?

Any replies appreciated.

@ michemiche

I did use them and I needed to order a very long blind, which only took about a week before, they arrived and put them up.

Thank you very much to all that posted.

Apologies for what is a bog standard question.

My visa needs it,s last extension on Octopber 16th which has now been cancelled (yes ED visa - got a email from my school a couple of days back saying immigration will not extend) and so I have to leave the country and get a new visa. Ive come to terms with this. I had a wonderful run so no complaints. Thing is although visa now expires on 16th Oct - the 90 days reporting page in my passport says I must report on the 5th Oct.

What is the latest date I can leave the country without being fined for overstaying my 90 days report please ?

Thanks evedgib.

Just in case it might help someone here on KP. I managed to sort one out without having to go via Samui.

Thanks to all that posted.

Oh I see. Then thanks.

I saw you typed the words 'big concern' and went to a link on google that was talking about concerns renting bikes there etc and wondered what on earth that had to do with me.

Apologies and appreciated.

Look up Ohm Motorcycles on Samui. Big concern.

https://www.google.co.th/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=ohm%20motorcycles%20koh%20samui

I have no idea whatsoever what this means or has got to do with me ?

Im just asking about whether I can get a headlight bulb on KP or not !!

Please bear with this newbie islander.....

Ok so Ive recently moved to KP from Chiang Mai and my headlight bulb on my Honda CB500F has just gone (I can still use full beam but obviously thats a recipe for disaster).

Anyways I just popped to a couple of Honda places on my part of the island (near Thong Sala) and they both say they need to order the bulb from Samui so will take up to a couple of weeks.

If thats the only option (as I do not want to go on to the mainland just yet) then that will have to do. But before I pop back to get that ordered I just wondered if anyone knows of any other shop I could ring or check with here on KP that might have what I need ?

As always, all answers appreciated.

Marcus

So just to report how things went...

I am now safely in KP and happily settling in

In the end I plumped for using Chiang Mai removals to make the move from Chiang Mai to Koh Phangan.

VERY happy with the package they offered. Because of my cat I wanted to get the last ferry from mainland which leaves at 6pm which actually meant leaving at 10.30pm the previous night and they were happy to do this for me. I was delighted with the price and service, nowt seemed too much bother for them which immediately put me at ease.

Because of the cat making the journey I wanted to be in the truck with her as she is easily unsettled (she cried for 10 hours straight ! Until I let her out and lay her down by my feet in the truck). So the bonus was I saved a few bob on airfare - not that I,ll ever drive that journey again thank you very much !

For those interested, door to door was 22 and half hours (10.30pm - 9pm). Sounds gruelling and it had its moments but all in all it went much easier than I expected.

I, or they, got it all on a pick up truck, including my 500cc motorbike. Didnt get my fridge on but the place I rented has nigh on the same fridge anyhow so that turned out fine. Originally when I saw all my stuff in the house in CM I thought there was no chance of getting anywhere close to most of it on a pick up truck, particularly what with the big bike, but sure enough those truck loaders found more and more spots to store stuff. I genuinely found the loading part interesting, seeing my lifetime belongings before me.

Anyways, great move and recommend Chiang Mai Removals highly.

To the question BB24 asked

'what to do and what not to do - lessons learned ?'

They pretty much have everything covered. They wrapped everything that needs wrapping, had boxes for everything and so I cant think of anything. I guess best to be there, obviously, when they are loading. They did take care of everything and I was happy with the way they were loading things up in a careful manner. I did have to specify I wanted a ramp for the motorbike as they were about to load it up without. One was then delivered and ramp was used.

To all that posted in this thread - I thank you kindly.

Marcus

Thought Id report back on the move. I am now safely in KP and happily settling in

So in the end I plumped for using Chiang Mai removals to make the move from Chiang Mai to Koh Phangan.

VERY happy with the package they offered. Because of my cat I wanted to get the last ferry from mainland which leaves at 6pm which actually meant leaving at 10.30pm the previous night and they were happy to do this for me. I was delighted with the price and service, nowt seemed too much bother for them which immediately put me at ease.

Because of the cat making the journey I wanted to be in the truck with her as she is easily unsettled (she cried for 10 hours straight ! Until I let her out and lay her down by my feet in the truck). So the bonus was I saved a few bob on airfare - not that I,ll ever drive that journey again thank you very much !

For those interested, door to door was 22 and half hours (10.30pm - 9pm). Sounds gruelling and it had its moments but all in all it went much easier than I expected.

I, or they, got it all on a pick up truck, including my 500cc motorbike. Didnt get my fridge on but the place I rented has nigh on the same fridge anyhow so that turned out fine. Originally when I saw all my stuff in the house in CM I thought there was no chance of getting anywhere close to most of it on a pick up truck, particularly what with the big bike, but sure enough those truck loaders found more and more spots to store stuff. I genuinely found the loading part interesting, seeing my lifetime belongings before me.

Anyways, great move and recommend Chiang Mai Removals highly.

To all that posted in this thread - I thank you kindly.

Be lucky !

Marcus

Ive just realized, and YES this shows how utterly inept I am at this stuff, I havent mentioned I am using a desk top not a lap top.

Therefore with this new knowledge and the following facts

I have never been asked for a username or password.

I have not used a wireless USB adaptor.

I have at no time seen any strength signals that usually show when using wireless.

My WLAN light is off.

I have not seen the little blue screen at the bottom right hand corner of screen which I THINK indicates searching for a wireless signal.

I am using a Ethernet cable and RichCor writes

Your actual "PC" connection choices to your Modem/Router are only Wireless (WiFi) or Ethernet Cable. Then the Modem/Router will always use the adsl wired LandLine connection back to the 3BB Network Operations Center to connect to the Internet.

This means I am not using wireless right ?

Appreciate the answers. As well explained as they are I am going to have to pay someone to pop over as I am inept with such things.

If anyone in Koh Phangnan is reading this Id happily pay very very well indeed to just make SURE I am not connecting to WIFI and for you to disable it permanently which im sure would be a quick job.

I thought it would be as simple as knowing I am not using WIFI because the WLAN light is not on.

Even when I hit the button on the modem and turn the WLAN light on, I get asked no password or etc so still can not see if Im using wireless or not.

So frustrating.

What a wonderful answer RichCor - massive thank you for your explanation and time

The bit where you write about the WPS is my biggest fear. My work needs to be safe and secure as possible.

You write

"If for whatever reason you do not want the WiFi active, you can enter the Modem/Router/WiFi device setup and disable WLAN/WiFi".

How do I do that ?

I, at no time, will ever want WIFI so how to disable entirely please ?

And how do I know if I am at any point using wireless or the land line please ?

Im worried I am using wireless right now.

Total newbie question here...

Ive just moved to Koh Phangnan from Chiang Mai, arrived today, 23 hours by car - soooooooo tired so thats my excuse out of the way. The new landlord had 3BB installed for me as per my request. Its up and running quickly so so far so good. I do not want to use wireless at all - only a land line.

How do I know im actually using the land line and not wireless ?

The modem I have in front of me has 9 lights that possibly could be turned on..

Power, ADSL, Internet, WLAN, WPS, LAN1, LAN2 LAN 3 LAN4

The actual 5 lights that are on are Power, ADSL, Internet, WLAN and Lan4

I think im connected to the wireless right ?

I have the cable plugged into the back of the modem.

Update - so Ive just seen a small white button on the modem with WLAN / WPS on it. Ive pressed it and now the 5 lights are 4 minus WLAN.

So am I correct in saying that WLAN light on means Im connected to wireless and WLAN off means landline ?

RPCVguy,

on the 29th when you went there but was too late for a number, what time did you get there please ?

Im very curious at what point, which time, is it too late to get a number for that day.

So a report on how it went.

Bloody brilliantly !!! Cant remember the last time I said that about CM immigration.

I had actually paid 500 baht for someone to queue for me so do not know what time they actually arrived there unfortunately.

I picked up the number at 8pm. When I arrived at immigration I couldnt quite believe what I saw - empty seats, no mass of humanity inside or out ! It just felt surreal.

Got my extension and then did my 90 days and was out at exactly 10.30am. Result.

Thank NancyL, so basically, as long as I get given a queue number I will be processed.

I am due to get an extension for ED visa and am going on the last day before being an overstay. I dont like doing that usually but thats how it is this time unfortunately.

All should be fine as long as they do indeed give me the extension on the day I turn up. I hear the queue starts at around 4am so am wondering what time do you need to get there to make sure you get processed on that day ? Is it feasible I could turn up at 6am or 7am and get a queue number so large that it actually doesnt get processed that day ?

All answers appreciated.

@ Carol Jadzia, have you got the mechanic, Keen,s, telephone number / details ? (I have googled it and not sure if its taking me to correct contact details).

I will need a good mechanic for future services etc and will be living down on Koh Phangnan so would happily take it to Samui if he knows his stuff.

.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Today Ive been considering going back to the Bigwing on Monday to have a word about, and show them, the valves that were replaced. I can speak enough Thai to at least let them know Im not happy and the reasons why. Plus let them know there are more than just me that aint happy.

But what good would it do ?

So I collected the bike today...

Im looking at the bill now (nice to have my first ever bill in English) and it reads '4 shim valve' at 185 baht per piece. He had the replaced ones in a bag which he gave to me as he did with the old air filter too.

He said the air filter was very dirty and, after ringing me to check, replaced it. He showed me the old filter and it was filthy (though maybe that,s normal and just needed cleaning but I was happy to get it replaced).

Honda had never even mentioned the air filter Im pretty sure (though maybe im wrong) and Im inept with mechanics so didnt know about checking it. The new one has a warranty of 100,000 km but he told me to clean it every 10,000km. I had a indicator replaced too.

The bill reads

1 x Signal light - 870 baht

4 pieces shim valve - 740 baht

1 slime repair kit (so I can repair my own punctures... um ...hopefully) - 350 baht

1 BMC air filter - 2,500 baht

Labour - 1,500 baht

Total 5,960 baht.

Labour = Check valve clearance and adjust, clean spark plug, fitting signal light, fitting new air filter.

..........................................................................................................................................................

I am about to move to Koh Phang Ngan next week but had I not been moving I would, with absolute certainty, used this guy from here on in (being that my Honda warranty has now expired).

And yes, happy I got that puncture Though not at the time. I seem to have good luck with the mechanics on vehicles Ive owned but punctures ? Forget about it. On any bike ive owned I feel like I bang em out on a monthly. Slight exaggeration obviously but feels that way - this time it was metal screw sitting in the tyre - even did a day trip with it in as I noticed it on morning of the trip.

For those in Chiang Mai that the above info might be of use.

The shop is called 'Piston Shop'.

Guy,s name is Watit ( Nat)

Tel - 053-234 344

And the road is, the best I can do is to write it phonetically - as it was pronounced,

49/3 Assadatorn Road.

[email protected]

www.facebook/piston.shop

..............................................................................................................

Directions,

If you were on the outside of the moat and rode past Chang Puak gate to the very corner of moat. Turn left directly at corner. Its along that road. Through 1 or 2 sets of lights and its on the left hand side along that main road. If you get to the Tesco,s you,ve gone too far.

.......................................

Once more big thanks to all that posted, as always appreciated. And YES im totally aware that having my bike on KP is not the greatest, will be forever riding around in circles But will pop her on the boat from time to time to take her on tours around the southern mainland too.

Cheers

Marcus

OK, so just a wee update....

Havent been ignoring this thread so thanks to all posters, very much appreciated

So after getting a puncture a few days back I needed to find a shop that could fix it quickly for me. All the small roadside guy,s just waved me away and then I remembered a big bike shop that has 2nd hand and new motorcycles for sale here in Chiang Mai (some lovely bikes in there). Drove round to there where the guy ,who spoke excellent English, was most helpful.

Without wishing to sound like a snob, I could see he had a much higher intelligence level than the Honda shop guys and noticed I immediately felt more relaxed (the language would have played the bigger part there though).

Today I have taken the bike around there to get the valves checked. Its been there all day as they needed the engine to cool down first and I just received a call saying he does indeed need to make a few adjustments. Told me the price of some parts that cost 200 baht.

Anyone know what they might be ? (Guess I,ll find out later)

I will report tomorrow exactly whats happened as he has ordered something and it might not be delivered in time for me to collect today. That could be valve non related though as I am having a new air filter put on.

But it does mean, in my opinion at least, that the Honda guys didnt spot or even look at the valves. Or perhaps didnt know what they were looking for/at.

I will report exact assessment tomorrow.

Im thinking about possibly putting a center stand on my CB500F.

The main reason would be for cleaning and maintaining the chain. Plus Im about to move to Koh Pha Ngan and think a center stand would be better for some of the parking around there.

Has anyone got any experience of doing this on a F or even on a X and was it easy enough ? Would it be the same on a F and X ? If so where did you purchase the stand and any issues with it ? (Currently im in Chiang Mai for another month).