Pattaya, Thailand – 15 February 2017 –
Authorities have so far ordered the closure of 30 hotels in Pattaya City, Thailand, that were found to be operating without licences, and inspections are continuing.
Officials inspected two hotels – The Beach Front Resort hotel and Baboona Beach Front Living – along Pattaya Beach Road.
The two hotels, one with 40 rooms and the other with 39 rooms, were found to be operating without licences. Staff failed to produce the necessary documents when asked. They were ordered to close.
Bang Lamung district chief Naris Niramaiwong said there were more than 1,000 hotels in Pattaya, but only 239 operated legally in line with the Hotel Act of 2004.
Operators of legally operated hotels had complained that their businesses were suffering from competition by illegal hotels, which offered cheaper rates.
Mr Naris said all hotels in Pattaya were being inspected. So far, 30 hotels had been ordered closed for operating without proper permission.