New law for hotel operators

PHUKET CITY: Hotel and guesthouse owners have been informed of regulations governing the industry, expected to come into force in mid-January after HM the King signs them into law.

Nilubon Tantichupan, Secretary General of the Thai Hotels Association (THA) Southern Chapter, told THA members gathered at The Metropole hotel that the new Hotel Act will cover many aspects of hotel ownership and management, including licensing, monitoring of standards and how accommodation is categorised.

K. Nilubon said that the THA sees the revised act as good news for hotel operators.

“The old Hotel Act was drawn up in 1935 and parts of it are very out-of-date,” she said. “Hence the new act, which will be more relevant to the current state of the industry.

“For example,” she said, “Under the old act, all hotel licenses ran from January 1 to December 31, and the fee was the same regardless of when in the year a hotel was first registered.

“But under the new act, the licence will run from the date of registration; if you licence your hotel at the beginning of April, the licence will run until the end of March.

“In addition, licences will be valid for five years, although hoteliers must still pay fees annually.

“In the industry of today there are many types of accommodation business – spas, resorts, hotels, guest houses – and the new law identifies each category clearly.”

Hotel operators seeking more information on the new law should contact K Nilubon at the THA Southern Chapter, Tel: 076-215050 or Fax: 076-215065.