Banglamung District has ordered the closure of more than 30 hotels deemed to be operating illegally.
District Chief Naris Niramaiwong issued the order Feb. 14 after conducting inspections throughout the Pattaya area.
Among those closed were the Baboona Beachfront Living Hotel and Beachfront Hotel on Beach Road. Neither had legal registration or documents required to operate as a hotel.
Staffers at both hotels were arrested and the inns told to close. Owners face up to a year in prison and fines of 10,000 baht a day for remaining open.
Guests at affected hotels were allegedly politely asked to move out. It wasn’t revealed whether any deposits were returned.
Naris said Banglamung has only 239 registered hotels, but there have been complaints of hotel operating illegally. Most are budget destinations equivalent to three-star hotels.
Hotels that are not registered under Hotel Act of 2004 must do so immediately and ensure they have approved environmental-impact assessments.
The closed hotels are not allowed to open again until they have proper documents.
