Thailand Overhauls Hotel Law to Ease Small Lodging Operators
Thailand is replacing its hotel law with a new Accommodation Premises Act that allows diverse lodging types—from homestays to treehouses—to enter the regulated system and access state support. The revamped framework tailors oversight to bus
The Thai government is dismantling the existing hotel regulatory system to open the door for new types of accommodation businesses and enable more small entrepreneurs to enter the regulated system. A draft Accommodation Premises Act has been proposed to repeal the current hotel law and update oversight regulations to align with contemporary tourism practices, while raising safety standards and consumer protections.
On September 29, Deputy Government Spokesperson Lalida Periwattana revealed that the draft law contains 98 provisions, moving away from a "one-size-fits-all" approach that applied the same standards to all accommodation types. Instead, oversight will be tailored to business size, operational nature, room count, guest capacity, and risk level. The key change is to enable diverse accommodation formats—including homestays, tents, rafts, treehouses, hostels, boutique hotels, condominiums, and shared-economy guest rooms—to enter the regulatory system. Previously, the law focused only on hotels and permanent structures, leaving many accommodations unregulated and unable to access state support programs.
The draft divides accommodations into three categories based on oversight level. Category 1 uses a notification system and covers hotels with no more than 8 rooms and up to 30 guests, or rental units up to 8 units. Category 2 requires registration and includes hotels with more than 8 but no more than 40 rooms, or 30 to 150 guests. Category 3, the largest tier with over 40 rooms or more than 150 guests, requires a license before operation.
A major innovation is the "Super License" system, which grants a primary license for Category 3 accommodation businesses and allows linking up to 10 subsidiary licenses for related services such as restaurants, health facilities, swimming pools, gyms, spas, and liquor and tobacco sales. This reduces the administrative burden on operators dealing with multiple agencies, provided each activity complies with its specific laws.
The system will prioritize electronic channels for notifications, applications, permits, registrations, licenses, and complaints to streamline procedures and ease the operator burden. Safety oversight remains strict: operators must display facility names, fire escape plans, emergency exit signs, and maintain an electronic guest register updated every 24 hours. Foreign guest data will be forwarded to immigration authorities.
Consumers gain rights to cancel bookings and claim proportional refunds if the accommodation or services fail to match advertised details. The law also prohibits unfair booking terms, such as one-sided cancellation clauses or advance waiver of consumer rights. New provisions allow setting suitable locations for accommodations with regard to environment, heritage, and safety, and establish inspection, correction, and license suspension procedures for non-compliance.
Deputy Spokesperson Lalida noted the draft underwent two rounds of public consultation with 1,441 participants and is backed by 28 supporting regulations. Feedback from various agencies on the Super License, data linking, electronic systems, staffing, budgets, transition periods, and wastewater standards will be incorporated. The new law's core principle is to "broaden the system while tightening safety controls," reducing barriers for small operators and new accommodation types.
