A condominium in Sukhumvit 11, developed by a Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET)-listed company, is at the center of a controversy as nearly half of its 450 units are allegedly being rented out illegally on a daily basis through online platforms. The case underscores ongoing challenges in enforcing Thailand’s property and hotel regulations.
A foreign resident and unit owner reported that more than 250 units are being listed for short-term stays on platforms such as Booking.com and Airbnb, raising concerns over security and disruption to permanent residents. Following an inspection, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) confirmed the presence of daily rentals.
In January, the Wattana district office issued a letter to the condominium’s juristic person, urging them to identify owners engaged in illegal rentals for potential legal action. Authorities cited possible violations of the 1979 Building Control Act, the 1992 Public Health Act, and the 2004 Hotel Act, but no legal proceedings have been initiated.
A source claims that a Taiwanese national, who has chaired the condo board since mid-2022, is managing the business. Signs prohibiting short-term rentals have reportedly been removed, while dedicated areas for check-ins and luggage storage have been set up. Housekeepers have been frequently seen servicing these units.
The business model appears to involve agents leasing multiple units on long-term contracts and subleasing them for daily stays, with some owners potentially unaware of the illegal operation. Reports suggest the condo developer provided 40 units to the agent, with a major SET-listed firm recently taking over management of the juristic person.
