Guest houses must now get a hotel license--any info?

[cmsally]

I heard that there was not much of substance  that went on in the meeting. Maybe someone has a more complete report, but the person I asked said not much to say because it just seems people are not sure what to do. Wherever they turn they are told the only way is to get the paperwork, which many cannot do. What a complete mess. And now from the above it seems the police are on the "trail".

 

[thaibeachlovers]

On ‎6‎/‎17‎/‎2018 at 2:24 PM, JAZZDOG said:

Well thought out!  Having said that and having been here less than two years issues like this don't bode well for us staying here. The government seems to have it's head up it's ass in many ways. They cant  even install cameras that would get a handle on traffic law enforcement or realize the cash cow it would be in such a lawless nation. There is rampant corruption that literally effects every person in the country regularly. The fact that farang are almost always looked to be at fault and the outward racism toward certain demographics. I am putting it all together and it's not a pretty site. LOS puts on a good face to attract 35M tourists per year and maybe that is the problem. Thinking about packing it in very soon.

Thanks, but either you are a trouble magnet, or involved in business in LOS. I've been here a long time and never felt the government or people were targeting me personally, though the tightening visa requirements have impacted me negatively.

While there are bad people as in every society, I haven't ever thought of leaving because of my treatment.

Perhaps you just live in the wrong place, and a change might help your perceptions.

However, I've always known it was a bad idea to own property or get involved in any sort of business here. That really is asking for trouble.

That said, I keep my interactions with authority to a minimum. I stressed even over the visa extension, but that was only once a year, so tolerable, and I used an agency last time.

[thaibeachlovers]

21 hours ago, BestB said:

The domino effect if happens could be like a nuke .

 

no tourists , no jobs for staff, no jobs for staff, restaurants can not sell food, shops can not sell things, factory does not produce as no buyers. People defaulting on their loans , bike / car repayments. And keeps on going.

 

If reset pushed not soon enough, it might be too late and I doubt anyone who got burned in this raids would invest again in hope it will be ok this time around.

 

many will not have funds even if they wanted too.

 

You must live in a city. It's going to have little effect on resorts, and most western tourists on package tours probably stay in resorts or big hotels, which won't be affected. Nothing will affect the Chinese tour groups.

The only places severely affected will probably be Chiang Mai, which will die if the backpacker demographic is shunned, and Khao San Rd area, if they bother to crack down on that.

It might affect a few farangs in Pattaya and Patong, but apparently if a guest house rents monthly, the problems go away.

IMO, the effects will be restricted to a few areas with low budget accommodation, and I doubt the authorities let the poverty of low class Thais keep them awake at night.

 

Last night I saw the dreams of the Hiso writ large on tv. There was a VDO presentation about a new tram service in Bkk. It looked like some Hollywood Utopian wet dream. If that is what they want, it's going to fail, but a lot of tears will fall before it does.

[BestB]

1 hour ago, JAZZDOG said:

Just got an email from the farang owner of a GH owner in CM.

 

quote;

 

"We are keeping our doors closed voluntarily until the current hysteria and unwanted Police attention has dissipated. We have a licence to operate from our local council  but it seems that it counts for little when it comes to police visiting and extorting ransom from hapless employees and owners."

 

Sums it up pretty well

I believe this owner is confused. He is referring to room for rent license and correctly police does not accept it claiming must have hotel license. 

 

I am not not aware of any extorting taking place , I was not able to make any donations for them to go away. 

 

Its an arrest and off to court

[BestB]

3 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

You must live in a city. It's going to have little effect on resorts, and most western tourists on package tours probably stay in resorts or big hotels, which won't be affected. Nothing will affect the Chinese tour groups.

The only places severely affected will probably be Chiang Mai, which will die if the backpacker demographic is shunned, and Khao San Rd area, if they bother to crack down on that.

It might affect a few farangs in Pattaya and Patong, but apparently if a guest house rents monthly, the problems go away.

IMO, the effects will be restricted to a few areas with low budget accommodation, and I doubt the authorities let the poverty of low class Thais keep them awake at night.

 

Last night I saw the dreams of the Hiso writ large on tv. There was a VDO presentation about a new tram service in Bkk. It looked like some Hollywood Utopian wet dream. If that is what they want, it's going to fail, but a lot of tears will fall before it does.

In Pattaya they are not only targeting low budget or main locations . They are  going after all but in very random order.

 

Some big boys also getting done, including hard rock on the beach.

 

as I mentioned this morning saw another “bigger” being done.

 

Thailand never really been a rich man destination , I doubt they would succeed pushing tourists into Hilton’s , but will succeed into pushing them away to neighboring countries .

 

But again, it’s only my opinion , clearly big boys at the top have different idea

[cmsally]

I have heard of some utopian dreams being put forth about inner moat area being pedestrianised  and a tram running around the moat. On one hand you have the acceptance that inner Chiang Mai is good for nothing apart from tourism, but on the other you have no leeway for the locals who have been running the show since the take off of tourism.

This is almost sounding like China where the "plan" is bigger than the people.

[cmsally]

10 minutes ago, BestB said:

I believe this owner is confused. He is referring to room for rent license and correctly police does not accept it claiming must have hotel license. 

 

I am not not aware of any extorting taking place , I was not able to make any donations for them to go away. 

 

Its an arrest and off to court

I believe he may be referring to the "pasee rong ruen", which is the local Tesabahn "room for rent" tax it is not a hotel tax as such.

[thaibeachlovers]

8 minutes ago, BestB said:

In Pattaya they are not only targeting low budget or main locations . They are  going after all but in very random order.

 

Some big boys also getting done, including hard rock on the beach.

 

as I mentioned this morning saw another “bigger” being done.

 

Thailand never really been a rich man destination , I doubt they would succeed pushing tourists into Hilton’s , but will succeed into pushing them away to neighboring countries .

 

But again, it’s only my opinion , clearly big boys at the top have different idea

WOW, but I really doubt they'll close Hard Rock. If they do, they have obviously lost the plot and it may be a good time for all of us to start thinking about alternative countries to live. Hard Rock, indeed!!!!!! Next thing they'll be changing the rules on condo ownership. Nothing to stop them if they can close Hard Rock.

 

However, no resort will have a hard time conforming to parking or green space regulations.

[thaibeachlovers]

13 minutes ago, cmsally said:

I have heard of some utopian dreams being put forth about inner moat area being pedestrianised  and a tram running around the moat. On one hand you have the acceptance that inner Chiang Mai is good for nothing apart from tourism, but on the other you have no leeway for the locals who have been running the show since the take off of tourism.

This is almost sounding like China where the "plan" is bigger than the people.

IMO, the area inside the moat should have had vehicles banned long ago, and only samlor taxis allowed. Goods delivery before 8am.The current situation is terrible, as the cars are a curse on the place. A car free zone would improve it 1000%.

[BestB]

29 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

WOW, but I really doubt they'll close Hard Rock. If they do, they have obviously lost the plot and it may be a good time for all of us to start thinking about alternative countries to live. Hard Rock, indeed!!!!!! Next thing they'll be changing the rules on condo ownership. Nothing to stop them if they can close Hard Rock.

 

However, no resort will have a hard time conforming to parking or green space regulations.

They did, now it’s open again. Unsure on how or particulars but it did happen 

 

resort in theory should pass all

the requirements if license were being issued . Average waiting time is 1-2 years, and just license fee around 50000 for 5 years

[simoh1490]

2 minutes ago, BestB said:

They did, now it’s open again. Unsure on how or particulars but it did happen 

 

resort in theory should pass all

the requirements if license were being issued . Average waiting time is 1-2 years, and just license fee around 50000 for 5 years

I'm sorry but I don't believe this story about the Hard Rock, somebody needs to support it with proof rather than "I think I saw" statements.

[thaibeachlovers]

4 minutes ago, BestB said:

They did, now it’s open again. Unsure on how or particulars but it did happen 

 

resort in theory should pass all

the requirements if license were being issued . Average waiting time is 1-2 years, and just license fee around 50000 for 5 years

Yes, I was referring to them closing it permanently. A short closure probably allowed time for the usual exchanges to take place, but open now.

Resorts are owned by influential persons. They probably ain't going to be affected.

I'd like to see them try it on with Hilton though.

 

There are thousands of small places in rural areas that accommodate locals. I wonder if anything is happening to them?

[BestB]

1 minute ago, simoh1490 said:

I'm sorry but I don't believe this story about the Hard Rock, somebody needs to support it with proof rather than "I think I saw" statements.

Simple google search will give you links

[BestB]

2 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Yes, I was referring to them closing it permanently. A short closure probably allowed time for the usual exchanges to take place, but open now.

Resorts are owned by influential persons. They probably ain't going to be affected.

I'd like to see them try it on with Hilton though.

So far no one has been officially closed, including myself . Only charged, judged and let go with no directives at all.

 

[simoh1490]

2 minutes ago, BestB said:

Simple google search will give you links

I searched, there's nothing!

[simoh1490]

1 minute ago, BestB said:

So far no one has been officially closed, including myself . Only charged, judged and let go with no directives at all.

 

Earlier you wrote: "They did, now it’s open again. Unsure on how or particulars but it did happen".

 

Now you say nobody has been closed and that the details are on the web, which they aren't.

 

I call BS on the Hard Rock part..

[JimmyJ]

What is the difference between a hotel and a guest house?

[BestB]

1 minute ago, simoh1490 said:

Earlier you wrote: "They did, now it’s open again. Unsure on how or particulars but it did happen".

 

Now you say nobody has been closed and that the details are on the web, which they aren't.

 

I call BS on the Hard Rock part..

Try to keep up. You get arrested  and judged , in hard rock case they have not had license for years. I do not know how long it was closed for , but open now.

 

in hardrock case was operating without any license at all. 

 

You our can call bs or whatever you like?

[BestB]

3 minutes ago, JimmyJ said:

What is the difference between a hotel and a guest house?

Under new regulations no difference at all 

[simoh1490]

31 minutes ago, BestB said:

Which part do you not agree with and why?

Most everything you've had to say, you're either anti-government soapboxing or a fantasist.

[BestB]

9 minutes ago, simoh1490 said:

Most everything you've had to say, you're either anti-government soapboxing or a fantasist.

Maybbe I am both but sadly you will never know

[BestB]

12 minutes ago, McTavish said:

Better that you show cause for an unsubstantiated statement re "There is rampant corruption that literally effects every person in the country regularly."

So you saying there is not ? Or you saying does not effect every person?

[JAZZDOG]

18 minutes ago, McTavish said:

Better that you show cause for an unsubstantiated statement re "There is rampant corruption that literally effects every person in the country regularly."

 

15 minutes ago, simoh1490 said:

Most everything you've had to say, you're either anti-government soapboxing or a fantasist.

If you actually loved the country you would be concerned about corruption and the fact laws are arbitrarily and selectively enforced. You either lack the intellect or are to lazy to seek out what is happening around you everyday. But instead you chose to deny what is before your eyes. You have lived here so long you've been blinded. 

[BestB]

3 minutes ago, JAZZDOG said:

 

If you actually loved the country you would be concerned about corruption and the fact laws are arbitrarily and selectively enforced. You either lack the intellect or are to lazy to seek out what is happening around you everyday. But instead you chose to deny what is before your eyes. You have lived here so long you've been blinded. 

Those with horse blinkers do not actually physically reside in Thailand only plan to retire one day and other half live in the middle of Nakhon nowhere with Chang or Leo being the only interactions they ever get?

[simoh1490]

7 hours ago, JAZZDOG said:

 

If you actually loved the country you would be concerned about corruption and the fact laws are arbitrarily and selectively enforced. You either lack the intellect or are to lazy to seek out what is happening around you everyday. But instead you chose to deny what is before your eyes. You have lived here so long you've been blinded. 

You're too funny, both you and Bestie, I bet your moms don't know you're not in your rooms, there'll be h*ll to pay when she finds out.

 

"actually loved the country", be concerned about corruption", " happening around me"!

 

What's happening around me is that the farmer is getting ready to plant his next rice crop. All the land on the plains around here is owned by my neighbour, a retired police general, a nice guy with a great family, I bought my house from him and we socialise regularly. Up until he retired about three years ago he was the second most influential cop in the North - today he builds houses and plants rice on thousands of rai that he owns, a former PM has a holiday estate here, a gift, apparently! NOBODY breaks the law around here, not one single person, EVERYONE knows he won't stand for it, there's no theft, no prostitution, no wild parties, no karaoke, no late night noise, I haven't looked but I doubt there are even any untaxed motorbikes! That's what's happening around me! Further afield? Who cares, I'm a visitor here, this is not my country, I'm not allowed to have a say and I don't care to have one hence I worry about the things I can change and I forget about the things that I can't.....you should do the same, that way you might live to see 30!

[simoh1490]

7 hours ago, BestB said:

Those with horse blinkers do not actually physically reside in Thailand only plan to retire one day and other half live in the middle of Nakhon nowhere with Chang or Leo being the only interactions they ever get?

You were called on your Hard Rock Cafe claim and despite implying there's info. on the net to support you, you couldn't provide proof of anything, a young guy looking for a cause to champion and change the world overnight. Don't let facts and logic get in the way of your belief that the Thai government is trying to close down 90% of the hotels in Thailand, economic suicide is, of course, a viable option available to any government and who needs those stinking tourists anyway!

[BestB]

6 hours ago, simoh1490 said:

You were called on your Hard Rock Cafe claim and despite implying there's info. on the net to support you, you couldn't provide proof of anything, a young guy looking for a cause to champion and change the world overnight. Don't let facts and logic get in the way of your belief that the Thai government is trying to close down 90% of the hotels in Thailand, economic suicide is, of course, a viable option available to any government and who needs those stinking tourists anyway!

It’s not my duty nor job to provide you with anything .

 

you have been given information , what you do with it is entirely your choice.

 

Not interested in pleasing or satisfying you.

 

Since your one and only source of information comes from this forum, I really do not see any point or reason to continue answering your self proclaimed  pointless posts.

 

Your opinions posed as facts does not become facts nor the made up numbers or opinions on reasons.

 

soldier on, no one is stopping or forcing you to change 

 

[johnoko]

I'm leaving this discussion as all other posts on the form people have to get nasty and start getting personal and of topic. Sad to see that most of the foreigners in this country are so bitter and can only complain and getting offensive as soon as someone has a different take on things than theirs.

 

You guys are a bitter bunch 

 

Go out more often stay away from the beers and your keyboard after a night of drinking there is enough bitterns out there 

 

Have nice day complaining 

[cmsally]

1 minute ago, johnoko said:

I'm leaving this discussion as all other posts on the form people have to get nasty and start getting personal and of topic. Sad to see that most of the foreigners in this country are so bitter and can only complain and getting offensive as soon as someone has a different take on things than theirs.

 

You guys are a bitter bunch 

 

Go out more often stay away from the beers and your keyboard after a night of drinking there is enough bitterns out there 

 

Have nice day complaining 

Can we get back on topic please , as I think this is a subject that should be discussed and some people have useful contributions.

To the people that simply don't care or choose not to see what goes on around them , please note I will be deleting any comments  that go off topic or get personal. If that is what it takes to keep a discussion going and not turn into the usual useless slanging match, then I will do it, take note.

[cmsally]

OK back on topic please ! Does anyone have any reports from what happened at the meeting at Wat Lamchang yesterday?

I have fairly reliable second hand information, which would seem to suggest that those affected are getting nowhere! According to my sources there were no representatives from the relevant government offices (correct me if I am wrong please). It really would seem there is no way out of this, I would hope that I am wrong here. But to me it would seem the small business owners in Chiang Mai are being hung out to dry!