HOTEL LICENSE
A hotel license is required as soon as at least one room is rented out on a daily basis whether it is a hostel, guest room apartment and/or etc. The hotel license application process is time-consuming and therefore it is wise to work together with an office experienced in this matter.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
The required documents to apply for a hotel license are:
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Company documents: for either Thai limited company, BOI Promoted Hotels or under the US Treaty of Amity without actually purchasing the property
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Construction permit, floor plans, and location map: The hotel must fulfill certain safety standards depending on its number of floors and a location map showing that there are no schools or temples in the immediate surroundings
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Licenses and permits: For a hotel with more than 80 rooms, or depending on its size or location, an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) is required. A permit from the local administration office must be obtained if the restaurant has an area less than 200 sqm
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A hotel license is not required for residential buildings that do no exceed four rooms and house fewer than 20 guests
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Hotel management agreement
TYPES OF HOTELS
Hotel business only (50 rooms or less):
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Number of rooms does not exceed fifty
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Size of each room is >8 sqm
Hotel and restaurant business:
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Size of each room is >8 sqm
Hotel, restaurant, and seminar rooms:
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Size of each room is >14 sqm
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Having conference/seminar rooms or entertainment venues which under the Place of Service Act could be a place for dancing, bars, nightclubs, and/or spa
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No entertainment venues will be allowed unless the hotel has more than 80 rooms
Hotel, restaurant, seminar rooms, and entertainment business:
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Size of each room is >14 sqm
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Having conference/seminar rooms or entertainment venues which under the Place of Service Act could be a place for dancing, bars, nightclubs, and/or spa
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No entertainment venues will be allowed unless the hotel has more than 80 rooms
HOW TO APPLY?
Step 1: Submission for construction license (5 working days)
Application for the construction license to be submitted at the district office which needs to be approved by the qualified engineer or architect
Step 2: Application at the provincial office (10 working days)
Once the construction permit allows you to operate a hotel in the property, you may proceed with the application for a hotel license at the Department of Provincial Administration for hotels located in Bangkok, or from the Provincial Governor's Office for other areas
Step 3: Application to the Health, Environmental and Construction Authorities (90 working days)
The hotel premises will need to be inspected and approved by the Health, Environmental and Construction authorities
Step 4: Issuance of the license (15-30 working days)
The time frame for the application is approximately six month. The license is valid for five years at a time and must be renewed prior to the expiry date