Bangkok: Deputy Minister of Interior 4 recently addressed the ongoing issue of reducing the proportion of foreigners holding building rights, aiming to curb the problem of daily rentals. All sectors have been encouraged to cooperate in reporting any instances of foreigners violating laws in this regard.
According to Thai News Agency, during a House of Representatives meeting chaired by Mr. Paradorn Prisananantakul, oral questions were posed to Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, by Mr. Karoonpol Tiansuwan, MP for the Prachachon Party. The questions centered around foreign businessmen illegally renting out rooms on a daily basis. Ms. Thirat Rattanawanich, Deputy Minister of Interior, responded on behalf of Mr. Charnvirakul, emphasizing that daily room rentals are prohibited. She highlighted the collaboration among various departments, including the Department of Provincial Administration, the Ministry of Interior, and the Ministry of Commerce, in addressing these violations.
Ms. Thirat detailed the penalties for hotel operators who operate without permission, which include imprisonment and daily fines of ten thousand baht. She mentioned recent arrests of foreigners engaging in illegal business by renting out condominiums, underscoring the need for Thai tenants and condominium juristic persons to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities.
In her remarks, Ms. Thirat clarified that while condominium owners can rent out their units, the rental period must exceed one month, as stipulated by law. She stressed the importance of cooperation among all parties to prevent daily rentals and minimize disruptions to other tenants. The Deputy Minister noted that previous challenges arose from a lack of understanding among juristic persons and residents about their rights. She called for long-term educational efforts and legal revisions to better align with current realities.
In response to Mr. Karoonpol's inquiry about illegal activities in areas like Rama 9 and Rama 3, where foreigners allegedly rented entire floors for unlawful purposes, Ms. Thirat explained that measures are underway to review the proportion of foreign shareholders in buildings. She noted that the government is considering adjusting these proportions and is actively listening to public opinions. Regarding the illegal operation of casinos, Ms. Thirat assured that authorities are empowered to take action, and legal measures can be pursued if juristic persons fail to cooperate.