A five-star hotel in Patong, Phuket, has been raided for operating without a licence, despite offering 219 rooms and charging up to 8,000 baht per night. Provincial officials confirmed the hotel had no operating permit under the Hotel Act B.E. 2547 (2004), no registered legal entity and no evidence of tax registration. The case has highlighted concerns that fewer than 1,000 of Phuket’s more than 6,000 accommodation providers are formally licensed.
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On 24 February, Phuket Governor Nirut Pongsitthithaworn received a report from Deputy Provincial Governor Rungrueng Thimabut, who led the operation following a complaint from a concerned citizen. The complaint alleged that a hotel in Patong, Kathu district, was operating more than 200 rooms without official approval.
Officials checked the DOPA e-Service administrative licensing system under powers granted by the Hotel Act B.E. 2547 and confirmed the hotel had neither obtained a licence nor applied for one with the Kathu District Office. A sting operation was then organised, with officers posing as tourists to book a Deluxe room priced at 5,000 baht per night.
Hotel staff registered the undercover officers, accepted payment and issued two black key cards marked QK25-0223 before escorting them to the room. Officers then signalled the arrest team, who entered the premises, identified themselves and detained the manager, Sanyadej, at the scene.
During questioning, Sanyadej stated the hotel belonged to a company and had been operating for three months. The property offered daily room rates ranging from 2,000 to 8,000 baht across 219 rooms. He was unable to produce a valid hotel operating licence.
Authorities will charge those involved, including unidentified associates still at large, with jointly operating a hotel business without a licence under Sections 4, 15 paragraph 1, 48 and 59 of the Hotel Act B.E. 2547.
Rungrueng said the hotel was also found to lack a building construction permit, company registration documents, an alcohol sales licence, employee registration records and tax registration documentation. He reported the raid and overall situation to the governor for further consideration.
Daily News reported that according to provincial data, Phuket has more than 6,000 hotels and accommodation providers, including beachfront villas and hostels, with the highest concentration in Patong, Kata, Karon and Mai Khao. However, the Provincial Administration Office, acting as registrar, reports only 988 licensed hotels with a total of 72,815 rooms. Further legal proceedings and related administrative reviews are expected to follow.
Picture courtesy of Daily News
Key Takeaways
• A 219-room five-star hotel in Patong was operating without any licence or registration.
• Phuket has over 6,000 accommodation providers but only 988 are officially licensed.
• The hotel faces charges under multiple sections of the Hotel Act B.E. 2547.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailynews 25 Feb 2026