Thailand proposes cancellation rights over unmet hotel advertising promises
A draft law would make advertised promises contractually binding and bring homestays, hostels and sharing-economy rentals under broader accommodation rules.
Travellers in Thailand would gain the right to cancel reservations or cut short stays when accommodation operators do not provide what they advertised, under draft legislation the government outlined on Sept. 29. Advertised commitments, room prices and booking terms would become contractual obligations.
The cabinet has given approval in principle to the 98-section bill. Bangkok Biz News reported that an Oct. 20 cabinet update placed it with the Council of State for legal scrutiny. The proposed protections are not yet law.
The bill would ban booking clauses that let operators alter or terminate contracts on their own, restrict their responsibility for contractual breaches, or demand that guests surrender rights beforehand.
It would replace Thailand’s current hotel legislation and widen coverage to include homestays, hostels, tents, treehouses and sharing-economy rentals. Thai Public Broadcasting Service said the changes aim to apply standards across businesses of different sizes, following disparities that hindered some smaller operators from joining the regulated sector.
Operators would be divided into three groups according to size and risk, with notification, registration or licensing requirements. Thai PBS reported that a proposed combined licence would limit the separate permits needed for related services. Licensing criteria, electronic systems and transitional help for smaller businesses still need further consideration, the broadcaster said.
