Mystery Key Boxes Expose Bangkok's Illegal Rentals

[snoop1130]

Photo: Thai PBS World

 

This week, curious images of mysterious key boxes scattered across downtown Bangkok captured the attention of online communities in Thailand. The viral photos featured inconspicuous wooden boxes, measuring 60cm x 60cm, strategically placed at locations like Sukhumvit Soi 42, sparking widespread speculation.

 

Inside these boxes were multiple combination lockboxes. One box, located in front of a residential building just 40 meters away, contained 23 such lockboxes, some of which had been opened. Thai citizens were intrigued, sharing theories about their purpose.

 

The intrigue unraveled when vigilant netizens revealed that these lockboxes belonged to individuals illegally renting out condominium units nearby. With condominium regulations strictly prohibiting short-term rentals, landlords circumvent receptionist protocols by installing these key boxes. Owners share the location and combination codes with tenants so they can access their room keys without detection.

 

 

Despite the potential fines of up to 20,000 baht plus 10,000 baht each day violations continue, many landlords risk it to sidestep the law. The widespread nature of the key boxes indicates that this evasion tactic is far from isolated.

 

Since going viral, attention on the matter has led to some of the key boxes disappearing from the streets. Nonetheless, it's a clear sign of the lengths some will go to maintain their covert rental operations in a city grappling with rental regulation issues, reported Thai PBS World.

 

-- 2025-02-26

 

 

[thesetat]

This has been going on for quite awhile now. Most AirBnb rentals are from condo owners circumventing the building codes for their condo units. The put the combination locks to make it less accessible to anyone but the renter. In those without a combination lock, they leave the key card in their open and unlocked mailbox and give the renter the combination to their front door lock. 

To say the condo building staff is unaware of it is ludicrous as I have seen some staffers handing out key cards to obvious renters as well as some of them actually being the agent for the owners and arranging the cleaners after the renters leave. 

[Searat7]

There is absolutely no enforcement of the law banning short term condo rentals. In my building in Silom there are signs banning such rentals and requesting they be reported yet the office facilitates them by taking fingerprints for the doors so that these renters can enter unassisted. 

[ChipButty]

56 minutes ago, thesetat said:

This has been going on for quite awhile now. Most AirBnb rentals are from condo owners circumventing the building codes for their condo units. The put the combination locks to make it less accessible to anyone but the renter. In those without a combination lock, they leave the key card in their open and unlocked mailbox and give the renter the combination to their front door lock. 

To say the condo building staff is unaware of it is ludicrous as I have seen some staffers handing out key cards to obvious renters as well as some of them actually being the agent for the owners and arranging the cleaners after the renters leave. 

Obviously getting paid to do it, 

[ChipButty]

That used to go on years ago in other countries maybe it still does, It could be a shop down the road that holds a load of keys so the guests have to go there first, 

Airbnb have something on their site called a "Co-Host" and that could be anyone who works in the building and will be the one who has the access to the unit or property, The owner never visits the place, that's what they call an Absentee Owner, some states in America have clamped down on that, 

[ChrisY1]

Pretty much global....I often take an Airbnb in Australia...usually apartment blocks in convenient places....there's key boxes everywhere chained to fences, posts.

I love them...my son usually takes one when he comes to BKK....cheaper than hotels, cooking facilities, gyms, pools etc.

 

[J Branche]

Unixx in Pattaya I think they are on to you.  That little blue building with TouchPad entry lock and tons of lock boxes across from the motorbike taxi stand has been exposed.

 

Years ago the Airbnb owner in Bangkok told me tell the staff I am his friend and visiting for a few days, do not tell them I am renting.

[petedk]

3 hours ago, J Branche said:

Unixx in Pattaya I think they are on to you.  That little blue building with TouchPad entry lock and tons of lock boxes across from the motorbike taxi stand has been exposed.

 

Years ago the Airbnb owner in Bangkok told me tell the staff I am his friend and visiting for a few days, do not tell them I am renting.

 

" I am his friend and visiting for a few days," 

 

There is a luxury condo here on Thong Lor and foreigners (mainly Chinese, but also a few westerners) are constantly coming and going with their suitcases. I asked reception if there were AirBnB gusets and she said "No, they are friends visiting."

later I talked to a westerner and he admitted he was on holiday and was using AirBnB.

[BusyB]

8 hours ago, ChipButty said:

Obviously getting paid to do it, 

 

What else.