Thailand is Considering Reforming the Hotel Act 泰國正在考慮修訂飯店法
On 29 September 2026, the Thai cabinet has approved in principle the draft Hotel and Overnight Accommodation Act, which will repeal the Hotel Act B.E. 2547 (2004). The existing Hotel Act remains fully in force until the new statute is finalized and published in the royal gazette. The draft aims to move away from a single rigid hotel standard by categorizing accommodations into three scale-based tiers to include alternative stays such as homestays, villas, tents, rafts, treehouses, hostels, and boutique hotels.
2026 年 9 月 29 日，泰國內閣已原則上核准《飯店與過夜住宿法》草案，該法案將廢除《佛曆2547年(2004)飯店法》。在新法規最終定案並頒布於皇家公報之前，現行的《飯店法》仍完全有效。該草案旨在擺脫單一且僵化的飯店標準，透過將住宿分類為三個依規模劃分的等級，以納入替代性住宿，例如民宿、別墅、帳篷、竹筏、樹屋、青年旅館以及精品飯店。
For years, rigid regulations designed for traditional, permanent hotel buildings left non-traditional lodgings operating in a legal grey area. The old one-size-fits-all model meant small operators couldn't meet hotel-scale requirements, cutting them off from formal financing and official tourism support.
多年來，專為傳統且永久性飯店建築所設計的僵化法規，讓非傳統住宿一直處於法律灰色地帶運作。舊有「一刀切」的模式意味著小型業者無法達到飯店級別的要求，進而阻斷了他們獲得正式融資與官方旅遊支持的管道。
To create a fair and inclusive system, the draft introduces a proportional regulatory model based on establishment size, risk level, and operational capacity:
為了建立一個公平且具包容性的制度，草案引入一個基於機構規模、風險等級與營運能力的按比例監管模式：
1. Type 1: Small & Non-Commercial Accommodations
第一類：小型與非商業性住宿
Target: Homestays, small eco-lodges, glamping sites, treehouses, or residential rentals with a limited number of rooms/guests. At least one but no more than 29 rooms and 58 guests.
適用對象： 民宿、小型生態旅宿、豪華露營地、樹屋，或是房間數量有限的住宅出租。至少1間但最多不超過29間客房，且容納不超過58位住客。Requirements: Light-touch regulation. Rather than a simple notification, operators must apply for and obtain a specific "overnight accommodation license" from local authorities. While the process is designed to be more accessible than a full hotel permit, operators must still strictly comply with local property, safety, and hygiene standards.
規範要求： 輕度監管。業者並非只需進行簡單的通知，而是必須向當地主管機關申請並取得特定的「過夜住宿執照」。雖然該流程的設計旨在比完整的飯店許可證更容易取得，但業者仍必須嚴格遵守當地的物業、安全與衛生標準。
Crucially, for units within condominiums or managed housing estates, operators must obtain prior written permission from the juristic person before applying for the license.
至關重要的是，對於位於公寓大廈或受管理住宅社區內的單位，業者在申請執照前，必須先取得管委會的書面許可。
2. Type 2: Medium-Sized Accommodations & Hostels
第二類：中型住宿與青年旅館
Ø Target: Mid-tier boutique hotels, hostels, and medium-capacity lodgings. Nine to 40 rooms, subject to guest-capacity limits.
適用對象： 中階精品飯店、青年旅館以及中等容量的住宿。9至40間客房，視住客容量限製而定。
Ø Requirements: Moderate oversight focused primarily on essential safety, health, and building standards. For example, basic fire safety, sanitation, and guest registration. It streamlined approval processes compared to full hotel permits.
規範要求： 適度監管，主要聚焦於基本的安全、衛生與建築標準。例如：基礎消防安全、環境衛生以及住客登記。與完整的飯店許可證相比，簡化審批流程。
3. Type 3: Large-Scale Hotels & Integrated Resorts
第三類：大型飯店與綜合度假村
Ø Target: Large commercial hotels and full-service resorts offering extensive facilities.
適用對象： 提供豐富設施的大型商業飯店與全服務度假村。
Ø Requirements: Full licensing with rigorous safety, environmental, and operational standards. However, the draft introduces a consolidated principal license, allowing a single permit to cover up to 10 secondary activities, such as restaurants, pools, spas, fitness centers, and event spaces to eliminate redundant paperwork.
規範要求： 具備嚴格安全、環境與營運標準的完整執照。然而，草案引入了一項「整合主執照」，允許單一許可證即可涵蓋多達 10 項附屬活動，例如：餐廳、游泳池、水療中心、健身中心以及活動空間，以消除冗餘的行政文書工作。
Importantly, the bill strengthens consumer protection by establishing strict rules against unfair contract terms, such as unilateral booking modifications or liability waivers—and guarantees refund rights for misleading advertisements.
重要補充的是，該法案透過建立針對不公平合約條款，例如單方面修改預訂或免責聲明，嚴格規定來加強消費者保護，並確保因虛假不實廣告而產生的退款權利。
A Note for Foreign Investors: Obtaining an overnight accommodation license does not override the Foreign Business Act or work permit requirements. Foreign nationals and foreign-owned entities must still ensure their business structure and work authorizations strictly comply with Thai laws.
外國投資者注意事項： 取得過夜住宿執照並不意味著可以不受《外人商業法》或工作許可證要求的限制。外籍人士與外資實體仍必須確保其商業結構與工作授權嚴格遵守泰國法律。
As this reform moves through the Council of State, it promises to foster a more inclusive, competitive, and legally secure landscape for Thailand’s vibrant tourism economy.
隨著這項改革提交給國務院審議，有望為泰國充滿活力的旅遊經濟創造一個更具包容性、競爭力且具法律保障的新局。
Important Reminder: The proposed limits of 29 rooms and 58 guests are not yet law. Until this Act is officially enacted, property owners must continue to comply with the existing Hotel Act and the current small-accommodation regulations (maximum 8 rooms and 30 guests).
重要提醒： 提議的 29 間客房與 58 位住客的上限目前尚未成正式成為法律。在此法案正式生效之前，業主必須繼續遵守現行的《飯店法》以及當前的小型住宿法規（上限為 8 間客房與 30 位住客）。
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