Crackdown looms as 60% of Pattaya hotels deemed illegal

[Chang_paarp 253]

This could get interesting if the threats are carried through with.

 

 

 

 

Crackdown looms as 60% of Pattaya hotels deemed illegal

About 60 percent of Pattaya’s hotels and guesthouses are operating illegally, with government officials about to launch a crackdown to either bring them into compliance or shut them down.

The Cabinet on Aug. 19 enacted new rules requiring illegal hotels nationwide to meet legal registration requirements within five years or be closed. Sinchai said the PBTA will now work with law enforcement and city officials to begin inspecting all lodging providers and ensure they are legally registered.Speaking at the Sept. 14 Pattaya Business & Tourism Association meeting at the Grand Sole Hotel, President Sinchai Wattanasartsathorn estimated only 40 percent of Pattaya’s approximately 2,600 accommodations providers are legally registered and meet standards for safety and hospitality.

Anawat Burapachon, a civil engineer with the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning and the Interior Ministry, told the PBTA that, historically, the cost and strictness of legal hotel building codes and licensing was too high for some entrepreneurs. But rather than find another business venture, many entrepreneurs simply ignored the law and opened anyway.

As is so often the case in Thailand, the laws were not enforced and illegal hotels and guesthouses flourished, soon comprising the majority of accommodations providers in tourist towns like Pattaya.

In addition to offering lower quality of facilities and service that damaged Thailand’s tourism reputation, these second-rate inns also fail to meet safety requirements, such as having proper fire-escape routes and locations too close to the street.

Anawat said the current government has recognized the problem and is making an effort to tackle it.

Sinchai said the association will soon begin reaching out to Pattaya businesses to inform them of the new regulations and push them to bring their facilities into compliance with the law.

 

 

http://www.pattayamail.com/news/crackdown-looms-60-pattaya-hotels-deemed-illegal-149511

[Bushcraft 2,572]

Call me a cynic, and yes, there are no doubt substandard guest houses around, but isn't this a prime opportunity to force even "non-quality" tourists into the monstrous new hotels that have sprung up for busloads of Chinese, funded without doubt by big money investors?

Funny, I always look for the money motive when I hear about planned changes in Thailand - certainly not for 'elf and safety concerns.

[Gary 4,100]

And one step further. There is a good possibility that the major hotels pushed the government into this.

[Gawd Elpus 798]

Yet another crack down. Is this really good for tourist in mind or to force tourists to pay more for accommodation. If the hotels have to spend money to comply with new regs, then the cost will be passed onto the customer no doubt. It is all changing piece by piece.

[lounge_lizard 108]

Well, it looks as if they have five years to comply, and anything could happen in that time scale. Look for a lot of cheap property coming onto the market in four years time.

[wacmedia 277]

Hi,

 

Support the small business owners against the Big Chain business criminals.

[elche 39]

As others have pointed out, the big corporate chains have everything to gain by this. And it wouldn't surprise me that they are behind it. After all, when have the Thai authorities ever been concerned about the welfare of tourists? Corporatocracy incrementally turning the screws on the people once again.

[MeGoDanceNow 4,281]

Hi,

 

Support the small business owners against the Big Chain business criminals.

 

Exactly. It's all about crushing the little guy.

 

"I'm from the government, and I'm here to help."