For the past 10 months or so, I have been happily living at my new little Bed & Breakfast project in north Phuket. I do not work in this business, but simply live on the leased land (leased in my name only) in my little house. The day-to-day running of the 4-guestroom business has been undertaken by a Thai lady who has done a great job.

The legal entity under which this B&B has been operating is as part of the sole trader guesthouse business of my Thai ex-wife. The B&B has the correct operating licences etc from the OrBorTor, pays taxes etc. All above board and OK.

But for various reasons, I want to operate this B&B as a separate entity. A Thai sole trader (separate from that of my ex) is the preferred 'vehicle' for this small business - I do not need to register either a ltd company or partnership.

There are no issues about the ex claiming actual ownership of the business - she has her own hotel and income.

Because this B&B is also my home, I want to understand the regulations about homestays. I haven't been able to find much detail on Google, but AFAIK, the regulations'licences for registering/operating a homestay are quite easy to implement.

So my questions are: What is the Thai legal definition of a 'homestay'? And if that is appropriate to my needs, how does one go about registering a homestay?

There is no legal definition of "homestay" in Thailand.

There is no legal definition of "homestay" in Thailand.

But I know Thai colleagues who have registered their property as a 'Homestay', not a guesthouse and not a hotel..

Definition of Thai Homestay - "A place to sleep at night for a very low cost, where disgusting food will be provided, maybe, Every time you decide to leave, the host family will go through all of your belongings, open all of your private things. You will be looked at as an Öbject" rather than a person.

Do yourself a favour book an hotel! Honestly, would you like to stay with your mates mother or worse?

Thai Homestay just makes my skin crawl.

Definition of Thai Homestay - "A place to sleep at night for a very low cost, where disgusting food will be provided, maybe, Every time you decide to leave, the host family will go through all of your belongings, open all of your private things. You will be looked at as an Öbject" rather than a person.

Do yourself a favour book an hotel! Honestly, would you like to stay with your mates mother or worse?

Thai Homestay just makes my skin crawl.

Seems to me you are not answering the guys question, he lives there the property is his, get it ?

There is no legal definition of "homestay" in Thailand.

But I know Thai colleagues who have registered their property as a 'Homestay', not a guesthouse and not a hotel..

Problem solved. Ask your colleagues how they did it, then do the same they did.