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

[webfact]

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.

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-04-30

 

 

[Chris BKK]

Not only Sukhumvit, also at SV City Rama 3

[klauskunkel]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

fortress of faux legality

definitely human, no self-respecting AI would have come up with this phrase

[geisha]

Everywhere. 

[madone]

3 minutes ago, klauskunkel said:

definitely human, no self-respecting AI would have come up with this phrase

the entire article is an exercise in saying nothing.

[NemoH]

Just confiscate the condo unit  .. then all these will stop suddenly 🤣🤣

same as what they do in Singapore for harboring illegals… 

[hotchilli]

Can't stop investors making a few baht

[thesetat]

1 hour ago, NemoH said:

Just confiscate the condo unit  .. then all these will stop suddenly 🤣🤣

same as what they do in Singapore for harboring illegals… 

They just said they do nothing to the owners who are mostly foreigners. Instead they go after the easy prey, the renters who think they are staying there legally. Making their holidays miserable and problematic. 

 

7 hours ago, webfact said:

As Ms Morrakot underscored, officers nab guests without touching owners or agents, who are commonly foreign.

Perhaps, they should look into the rates and what the hotels offer for their small rooms. The condo supplies a kitchenette, usually a pool, hot water, living room, sofa and beds, even a washing machine for your clothes. A hotel offers only one room with a hot water boiler, a bathroom, a bed and TV. Many do not even have a balcony or pool. Yet the hotels charge more than the condos. Then if you are in a hotel you need to wash your clothes at a shop outside or use the hotels expensive service if you can get the clothes back in time before you leave. You need to go out for everything. Many hotels do not even supply a small refrigerator. Bathrooms are very small. The list goes on and on. The costs go higher and higher for basic needs you do not get in hotels but can prepare for having and using in a rented condo.

Of course the seasoned or regular traveller will choose the condo over the hotel. It makes sense in every aspect especially financially. 

[J Branche]

33 minutes ago, thesetat said:

They just said they do nothing to the owners who are mostly foreigners. Instead they go after the easy prey, the renters who think they are staying there legally. Making their holidays miserable and problematic. 

 

Perhaps, they should look into the rates and what the hotels offer for their small rooms. The condo supplies a kitchenette, usually a pool, hot water, living room, sofa and beds, even a washing machine for your clothes. A hotel offers only one room with a hot water boiler, a bathroom, a bed and TV. Many do not even have a balcony or pool. Yet the hotels charge more than the condos. Then if you are in a hotel you need to wash your clothes at a shop outside or use the hotels expensive service if you can get the clothes back in time before you leave. You need to go out for everything. Many hotels do not even supply a small refrigerator. Bathrooms are very small. The list goes on and on. The costs go higher and higher for basic needs you do not get in hotels but can prepare for having and using in a rented condo.

Of course the seasoned or regular traveller will choose the condo over the hotel. It makes sense in every aspect especially financially. 

The Hotels have to be licensed, pay taxes, have technicians available 24/7,  some pay franchise fees and have certain certifications also.  Not every room is rented everyday so the price is actually the cost of the room, hotel expenses for an estimated average occupancy time frame.

 

Airbnb just has building maintenance expenses, annual property tax, and possible loan costs.  Cleaning fees are additional but included in the hotel.

 

I liked Airbnb many years ago because the unit was in a building for residents and I want quiet and to relax when I go back to the room.  Hotels people come and go at all hours, come back and make noise after drinking and don't care if you disturb the neighbors 

 

 

[Searat7]

Same in Silom for many years

[Mannekenpis]

6 hours ago, thesetat said:

They just said they do nothing to the owners who are mostly foreigners. Instead they go after the easy prey, the renters who think they are staying there legally. Making their holidays miserable and problematic. 

 

Perhaps, they should look into the rates and what the hotels offer for their small rooms. The condo supplies a kitchenette, usually a pool, hot water, living room, sofa and beds, even a washing machine for your clothes. A hotel offers only one room with a hot water boiler, a bathroom, a bed and TV. Many do not even have a balcony or pool. Yet the hotels charge more than the condos. Then if you are in a hotel you need to wash your clothes at a shop outside or use the hotels expensive service if you can get the clothes back in time before you leave. You need to go out for everything. Many hotels do not even supply a small refrigerator. Bathrooms are very small. The list goes on and on. The costs go higher and higher for basic needs you do not get in hotels but can prepare for having and using in a rented condo.

Of course the seasoned or regular traveller will choose the condo over the hotel. It makes sense in every aspect especially financially. 

 

6 hours ago, thesetat said:

They just said they do nothing to the owners who are mostly foreigners. Instead they go after the easy prey, the renters who think they are staying there legally. Making their holidays miserable and problematic. 

 

Perhaps, they should look into the rates and what the hotels offer for their small rooms. The condo supplies a kitchenette, usually a pool, hot water, living room, sofa and beds, even a washing machine for your clothes. A hotel offers only one room with a hot water boiler, a bathroom, a bed and TV. Many do not even have a balcony or pool. Yet the hotels charge more than the condos. Then if you are in a hotel you need to wash your clothes at a shop outside or use the hotels expensive service if you can get the clothes back in time before you leave. You need to go out for everything. Many hotels do not even supply a small refrigerator. Bathrooms are very small. The list goes on and on. The costs go higher and higher for basic needs you do not get in hotels but can prepare for having and using in a rented condo.

Of course the seasoned or regular traveller will choose the condo over the hotel. It makes sense in every aspect especially financially. 

All they have to do is legalize it. But the hotel association has been fighting this for years