Thailand Resolves Hotel Licensing For Nearly 300 Phuket Properties
Thailand has cleared over 75% of a seven-year backlog of hotel licensing applications in Phuket, with 275 of 392 pending cases resolved and the remainder expected by September.
The Thai government has announced success in resolving hotel licensing issues affecting nearly 300 properties in Phuket, with plans to complete all outstanding cases by September this year. Deputy Government Spokesman Ploypailin Luksameelang revealed on August 12 that the Interior Ministry and related agencies have processed 392 hotel licensing applications pending since 2016, successfully issuing licenses to 275 properties so far. The remaining 117 cases are expected to be resolved by the end of September, representing substantial progress compared to the previous pace of only 30-40 licenses per year—over 75% of the backlog has been cleared in just two months of focused effort.
Beyond issuing licenses, the government has collected data on legal and regulatory barriers facing prospective hoteliers in Phuket and plans to amend laws and regulations to remove unnecessary obstacles fairly. The government prioritizes safety above all else and aims to bring all operators into the formal system without demanding bribes, while enforcing laws strictly. Several cases involving unlicensed operations are already under police investigation, with additional cases in the evidence-gathering phase for further prosecution. Officials have confirmed that no violations will be overlooked, and legal action will be taken decisively against all breaches.
