Bangkok Condo Raided Over Illegal Daily Rentals and Cannabis Use

[webfact]

Picture courtesy: Komchadluek

 

In a decisive response to mounting concerns, authorities descended upon a luxury condominium in Bangkok's bustling Sathorn district on Thursday. The operation targeted alleged illegal daily rentals to foreign tourists and reports of cannabis usage, issues that have been troubling local residents.

 

The raid, conducted by officials from the Sathorn district office, Yannawa police station, and the Department of Provincial Administration, lasted over an hour. Their aim was to clamp down on violations of the Hotel Act, which mandates that all rented accommodations must possess the appropriate licence.

 

The crux of the issue lies in the alleged daily rentals of units to foreign guests, facilitated by platforms similar to Airbnb, which is illegal under Thai law.

 

This practice often contravenes the Hotel Act, attracting a fine of 20,000 Thai Baht, with a daily penalty of 10,000 Thai Baht until resolved. Such measures are in place to ensure the safety and privacy of permanent residents within condominium complexes.

Thawatchai Paengthai, head of the Sathorn district, emphasised the importance of stricter entry and exit protocols within the condominium premises.

 

As part of this effort, he announced that signs have been erected, explicitly prohibiting daily rentals and the smoking of cannabis, which, despite legalisation under specific conditions, remains a sensitive issue due to its recreational use in certain areas.

 

Pol Colonel Ratthanon Ekthitikulphat of Yannawa Police Station highlighted that the raid was a response to numerous complaints received regarding the daily rentals and cannabis odours. He assured that the operation's success not only affirmed residents' concerns but also underlined the need for consistent law enforcement.

 

The condominium's management has vowed to work closely with authorities, implementing more rigorous screening processes for both monthly tenants and regular inhabitants. Police will continue to monitor compliance, making regular inspections to deter illegal activities.

 

This operation is part of a broader initiative, spearheaded by Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, aimed at curbing illegal daily rentals, which are reportedly rife in Bangkok. The crackdown underscores the need for landlords and tourists alike to be aware of and adhere to the legal stipulations regarding short-term accommodations in Thailand.

 

By enforcing these laws, Thai authorities hope to enhance the living conditions within condominium complexes and maintain the urban integrity of Bangkok, ensuring it remains a desirable location for both residents and visitors alike.

 

For tourists, this serves as a critical reminder that even in short visits, abiding by local regulations is paramount to fostering a harmonious coexistence, reported The Nation.

 

-- 2025-03-01

 

 

[Wake Up1]

Hotels are the answer. People who live in condos or neighborhoods don’t want to put up with illegal AirBnB owners, users and parties. Prosecute the owners and users of illegal AirBnB condos. 

[CLW]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The condominium's management has vowed to work closely with authorities

Lip service. Why would they shoot themselves in the foot? It's their business to sell units and keep them occupied. They don't care about the utilisation, whether it's long time tenants or air BnB 

[phil2407]

Hope it’s only the owners fined & not the tourists! If they book through Air B&B then ban all their properties in Thailand if illegal 

[jippytum]

no mention of any charges against owners. Typical media opportunity without results apart from a finger wag a the condo manager and a new  warning notice. 

[Briggsy]

13 minutes ago, CLW said:

Lip service. Why would they shoot themselves in the foot? It's their business to sell units and keep them occupied. They don't care about the utilisation, whether it's long time tenants or air BnB 

The management committee does not sell units. One would assume they are all already sold. 

The management committee does not care if a room is occupied or not. That is not their business. 

The management committee certainly cares about the views of the long term residents as they can vote them out!

 

Are you confusing condominiums with apartments?

[yankee99]

7 minutes ago, Briggsy said:

The management committee does not sell units. One would assume they are all already sold. 

The management committee does not care if a room is occupied or not. That is not their business. 

The management committee certainly cares about the views of the long term residents as they can vote them out!

 

Are you confusing condominiums with apartments?

you are assuming committee members do not own rental units

[frank83628]

47 minutes ago, Wake Up1 said:

Hotels are the answer. People who live in condos or neighborhoods don’t want to put up with illegal AirBnB owners, users and parties. Prosecute the owners and users of illegal AirBnB condos. 

The owners yes, but how are the users at fault? They used a booking app to rent accommodation. How are they supposed to know whether is legit or not

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

In a decisive response to mounting concerns, authorities descended upon a luxury condominium in Bangkok's bustling Sathorn district on Thursday. The operation targeted alleged illegal daily rentals to foreign tourists and reports of cannabis usage, issues that have been troubling local residents.

Good...

[Yellowtail]

1 hour ago, frank83628 said:

The owners yes, but how are the users at fault? They used a booking app to rent accommodation. How are they supposed to know whether is legit or not

If you used a dating app to book a 15-year-old that claimed she was 18 who's fault would it be? 

[frank83628]

2 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

If you used a dating app to book a 15-year-old that claimed she was 18 who's fault would it be? 

Hers for lying

[Yellowtail]

9 minutes ago, frank83628 said:

Hers for lying

Good luck with that defense. 

[frank83628]

36 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

Good luck with that defense. 

Got nothing to do with renting a condo though

[proton]

Good, carry on doing it until renters get the message Airbnb is a pain in the bum and not much cheaper than hotels. Hosts can cancel your booking at the last minute and the hosts are not vetted, they could be anyone even criminals or sex pests. Only done Airbnb twice problems both times.

[proton]

2 hours ago, frank83628 said:

The owners yes, but how are the users at fault? They used a booking app to rent accommodation. How are they supposed to know whether is legit or not

 

Ignorance of the law is no defence

[frank83628]

1 minute ago, proton said:

 

Ignorance of the law is no defence

So any hotel you goto you aske to see their hotel licence, staff work permits, tax filings?

[frank83628]

3 minutes ago, proton said:

Good, carry on doing it until renters get the message Airbnb is a pain in the bum and not much cheaper than hotels. Hosts can cancel your booking at the last minute and the hosts are not vetted, they could be anyone even criminals or sex pests. Only done Airbnb twice problems both times.

What a load of nonsense. Basically you had a <deleted> experience, millions do not. Its wouldnt be as sucessful as it is if it was all bad

[proton]

13 minutes ago, frank83628 said:

So any hotel you goto you aske to see their hotel licence, staff work permits, tax filings?

 

It's about illegal Airbnb lets, not Hotels

[proton]

10 minutes ago, frank83628 said:

What a load of nonsense. Basically you had a <deleted> experience, millions do not. Its wouldnt be as sucessful as it is if it was all bad

 

It's a decreasing business worldwide due to increasing charges and local opposition by residents

 

https://edition.cnn.com/2024/10/28/economy/housing-affordability-airbnb-vrbo-backlash/index.html

[bkk6060]

Abnb are much cheaper then hotels in Bangkok now I use them all the time. In many cases, 1/3 the cost.  I have never had a major problem with 22 Abnb times I rented here. One time the internet went out the host had it fixed the next day.  Plus, kitchens and larger frig. are the norm.  

Regarding the thread, in typical Thai fashion I bet they crack down for a few weeks then things will be back to the way they were.

[frank83628]

20 minutes ago, proton said:

 

It's a decreasing business worldwide due to increasing charges and local opposition by residents

 

https://edition.cnn.com/2024/10/28/economy/housing-affordability-airbnb-vrbo-backlash/index.html

The same properties are listed across all booking sites not just airbnb.

It doesnt alter the fact that wake up made the absurd comment that the user should be prosecuted.

[BritManToo]

2 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

Abnb are much cheaper then hotels in Bangkok now I use them all the time. In many cases, 1/3 the cost.  I have never had a major problem with 22 Abnb times I rented here. One time the internet went out the host had it fixed the next day.  Plus, kitchens and larger frig. are the norm.  

Regarding the thread, in typical Thai fashion I bet they crack down for a few weeks then things will be back to the way they were.

Agree, no problems with Airbnb, cheaper APTS, nicer rooms, more services, I mainly used them in Vietnam.

[iLuvThai]

4 hours ago, frank83628 said:

4 hours ago, Yellowtail said:

If you used a dating app to book a 15-year-old that claimed she was 18 who's fault would it be? 

Hers for lying

I totally get that answer but in this day and age of internet security and scams, I would've hoped the online dating apps would have to have a system in place to at the very least verify a person age. Therefore the online application should be held accountable. 

[thesetat]

4 hours ago, frank83628 said:

Hers for lying

unfortunately, You are wrong. You would be arrested by the police and scolded here by members. 

[impulse]

If AirBNB is deliberately (or negligently) facilitating illegal transactions, it seems they should be paying fines as well.

 

[Peabody]

I canceled a week at the Base right after the 1st crackdown a few years ago. AirBnB refused to refund my money.