Amnesty brings 1,000 illegal Phuket hotels into the fold

Tanyaluk Sakoot

 

The amnesty brought more than 1,000 illegal Phuket hotels into the fold, said Governor Chockchai. photo: PR Dept

 

PHUKET:-- Phuket Governor Chockchai Dejamornthan yesterday (Feb 22) revealed that the amnesty for businesses that had previously been illegally offering tourist property rentals for periods of less than 30 days has encouraged more than 1,000 such venues to register their intention to become legal hotels.

 

The amnesty, which ended on Jan 31, was part of a government drive to clean up the illegal tourist property rental market.

 

In March last year the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phuket office marked only 376 registered hotels on the island, while Agoda boasted more than 2,400 short-term holiday property listings – leaving an estimated 84% of holiday rental properties on the island as openly trading illegally.

 

In January, Governor Chockchai said provincial authorities had identified 860 properties that were illegally operating as hotels.

 

Yesterday, he said, “The time to register is up, and I will not extended the deadline anymore.

 

“A total of 1,007 venues have registered to become legal hotels. A further 200 venues said they would no longer offer rentals for periods of less than 30 days.

 

“If any operators still want to register to become legal hotels, they must apply individually and their application will be considered case by case,” he added.

 

Gov Chockchai also clarified to the press previously any inaccurate figures concerning the number of illegal hotels that registered with provincial authorities under the amnesty.

 

“The number of hotels that have registered to become legal is more than 1,000,” Gov Chockchai told the press at Provincial Hall yesterday.

 

“I believe I said earlier that I said only 400 accommodation venues had registered. That number is incorrect and for that I apologise,” he said.

Full Story: http://www.thephuketnews.com/amnesty-brings-1-000-illegal-phuket-hotels-into-the-fold-61128.php#TfsVq3BHy3b5JGjt.97

 

-- © Copyright Phuket News 2017-2-23

Thats 600 extra brown envelopes to pick up this month.

4 minutes ago, Reigntax said:

Thats 600 extra brown envelopes to pick up this month.

 

Or 600 less.  Harder to shake down a legally registered business operating within the rules.  And it's not as if they weren't known to the popo before they registered.

43 minutes ago, impulse said:

48 minutes ago, Reigntax said:

Thats 600 extra brown envelopes to pick up this month.

 

Or 600 less.  Harder to shake down a legally registered business operating within the rules.  And it's not as if they weren't known to the popo before they registered.

Just different people who get the envelope I would guess 

What a joke. Some of the places can't be considered hotels.
3 rooms about a town shop isn't a hotel lol.

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2 hours ago, sebastion said:

What a joke. Some of the places can't be considered hotels.
3 rooms about a town shop isn't a hotel lol.

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The Governor's statements regarding condo owners is especially confusing / contradictory:

 

Of note, the Ministry of Interior on August 19 last year issued a new regulation to make it easier for more property owners – especially condo owners – to obtain a hotel license.
Read more at http://www.thephuketnews.com/amnesty-brings-1-000-illegal-phuket-hotels-into-the-fold-61128.php#tBoM0KuTjYwOuovF.99

 

According to the regulations, any place offering short-term accommodation with less than 5 rooms does not require a license. I doubt that there are many 5 bedroom condos in all of Phuket.

 

I think the Governor's efforts would be better spent on chasing down the operators of short-term rentals (condos, private homes, etc) who are not registered for the 12.5% Hotel and Land Tax. 

1 hour ago, DrDave said:

The Governor's statements regarding condo owners is especially confusing / contradictory:

 

Of note, the Ministry of Interior on August 19 last year issued a new regulation to make it easier for more property owners – especially condo owners – to obtain a hotel license.
Read more at http://www.thephuketnews.com/amnesty-brings-1-000-illegal-phuket-hotels-into-the-fold-61128.php#tBoM0KuTjYwOuovF.99

 

According to the regulations, any place offering short-term accommodation with less than 5 rooms does not require a license. I doubt that there are many 5 bedroom condos in all of Phuket.

 

I think the Governor's efforts would be better spent on chasing down the operators of short-term rentals (condos, private homes, etc) who are not registered for the 12.5% Hotel and Land Tax. 

So, if a condo comprises 15 rooms, but only  4 do rentals, how now brown cow ? Did anyone read his inane remark about demolishing condos that continue to rent ? Its a legal impossibility, since it would imply demolishing condos where people permanently live, or who don't rent, or rent only long term...

 

One wonders from which elite kindgartens they recruit these people.....

 

2 hours ago, DrDave said:

The Governor's statements regarding condo owners is especially confusing / contradictory:

 

Of note, the Ministry of Interior on August 19 last year issued a new regulation to make it easier for more property owners – especially condo owners – to obtain a hotel license.
Read more at http://www.thephuketnews.com/amnesty-brings-1-000-illegal-phuket-hotels-into-the-fold-61128.php#tBoM0KuTjYwOuovF.99

 

According to the regulations, any place offering short-term accommodation with less than 5 rooms does not require a license. I doubt that there are many 5 bedroom condos in all of Phuket.

 

I think the Governor's efforts would be better spent on chasing down the operators of short-term rentals (condos, private homes, etc) who are not registered for the 12.5% Hotel and Land Tax. 

12.5%?

 

Room tax is 1%. Where does the additional 11.5% come from?

Good for the governor to recognize the value of AMNESTY in resolving conflict and reconciliation to the laws.

Prayut might learn from him.

19 hours ago, Reigntax said:

Thats 600 extra brown envelopes to pick up this month.

Talk about growth in this cottage industry staggering. 

6 hours ago, madmitch said:

12.5%?

 

Room tax is 1%. Where does the additional 11.5% come from?

Sorry - I mis-labeled the tax name. It's the House & Land Tax Act, (not the Hotel Act).

 

I think it's the annual Land Tax that's assessed on rental property, not the Hotel Tax. It's 12.5% of the annual rental value assuming full occupancy (as determined by the local officials).

 

Following is a fairly good explanation of the House and Land Tax  http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-law-is-your-house-or-condo-an-illegal-hotel-57225.php

19 minutes ago, DrDave said:

Sorry - I mis-labeled the tax name. It's the House & Land Tax Act, (not the Hotel Act).

 

I think it's the annual Land Tax that's assessed on rental property, not the Hotel Tax. It's 12.5% of the annual rental value assuming full occupancy (as determined by the local officials).

 

Following is a fairly good explanation of the House and Land Tax  http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-law-is-your-house-or-condo-an-illegal-hotel-57225.php

Makes sense now.