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Bangkok's Daily Condo Rentals: Illicit Practice Persists in Sukhumvit


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Photo via Drama-addict Facebook page

 

In a twist fit for fiction, Bangkok's Sukhumvit 11 sees illegal daily condo rentals thriving despite efforts to quash the practice. Managed by a cunningly elusive SET-listed developer, the 450-unit fortress of faux legality sidesteps scrutiny with a simple name change. Inhabitants are letting their condos for daily stays via online platforms, adding to the plight of legitimacy.

 

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) officially recognised this dodgy condo in the heart of tourist town. In a January missive, Wattana district leaned on the condo's juristic person to relinquish naughty owners' details. Alas, even with incessant complaints made post-changeover, February's new management plays it cool, shunning serious actions against these weekend rebels.

 

Oddly enough, the trick is not limited to Bangkok alone. Pattaya, with similar gripes, spotted a dip in illegal rentals thanks to management reshuffles, offered our source who also owns units there. Meanwhile, the operation in Bangkok continues as tenants enjoy an exclusive key card to access their rooms, though common luxuries like the gym are off-limits, likely part of a tacit deal between disguised parties.

 

 

 

Morrakot Kuldilok, of the Thai Hotels Association's eastern chapter, echoes concerns over these cut-price condo hires, undercutting formal hotels burdened by taxation and tougher safety stipulations. While some tourist towns execute mixed-use projects legally—bridging commercial with residential uses—operational transparency remains a question mark.

 

As Ms Morrakot underscored, officers nab guests without touching owners or agents, who are commonly foreign. She highlights another notable case where real estate firms arise solely to elevate sly short-term letting schemes—complicating operations for legitimate hospitality. In Pattaya and Chonburi, registered hotel rooms adequately house tourists, but the condo chaos lingers.

 

Thus, while authorities chase shadows, hidden loopholes allow the illegal rental scene to cling on. The drive continues to disconnect these rogue renters from the system that hotels dutifully follow, saving legitimate business from interlopers looking to cash in on Thailand's tourism rush.

 

 

image.png  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-04-30

 

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