BANGKOK, Thailand – The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is intensifying efforts to curb illegal short-term condo rentals, following reports of Chinese investors purchasing condominiums in prime areas such as Sukhumvit and Sathorn and renting them out on a daily basis to tourists. The practice has caused disturbances for permanent residents and violates Thai law, as condo management offices are prohibited from handling keys for such rentals. To bypass this, operators have reportedly been leaving keys in lockboxes placed near the buildings, with renters receiving the location and access code.
BMA spokesperson Ekvarunyu Amrapal stated that authorities have already launched investigations in response to complaints. Sathorn District Office, in cooperation with Yannawa Police Station, inspected a condominium in the Sathorn-Charoen Rat area on Chan Road and instructed the building’s management to prevent short-term rentals.
Meanwhile, Khlong Toei District Office checked Sukhumvit Soi 42, where reports indicated the presence of key lockboxes. One such lockbox was discovered, but no further cases were found in the area. The BMA has since contacted the Phra Khanong branch of the Bangkok Land Office for further investigation and has assigned municipal officers to enforce regulations in these areas.
The BMA has outlined six measures to tackle illegal daily condo rentals:
- Enforcing the Hotel Act – Condo owners renting out units without a hotel license face fines of up to 20,000 baht, with an additional daily fine of 10,000 baht.
- Monitoring and enforcement – District officials and police will patrol known hotspots, confiscating hidden keys or keycards.
- Coordinating with condo management – Building management teams must stay vigilant, report suspicious activity, and strictly enforce rental regulations.
- Raising public awareness – Residents will be informed about the legal consequences and negative impacts of illegal rentals, encouraging them to report violations.
- Regulating online platforms – Authorities will work with platforms like Airbnb to restrict illegal rental listings.
- Controlling the use of public spaces – Unauthorized lockboxes found in public areas will be removed, and offenders will face legal action for misuse of public property.
The BMA remains committed to tackling this issue to protect permanent residents and uphold the law. (TNA)
