The committee, led by Nipon Ekwanich, Vice Chairman of the Committee and Chairman of the Subcommittee on Studying Approaches to Upgrading and Promoting SME Entrepreneurs, held a press conference at Parliament House yesterday (Apr 1).
Of note, Mr Niphon is the only person from Phuket selected as a member of the 200-seat Senate.
The focus of the event was the study report titled ‘Promoting Medium-sized and Small-sized Accommodation Operators, Other than Hotels, to Receive Licenses for Sustainable Tourism Development: A Case Study of Phuket Province’.
Phuket, as one of Thailand’s key tourist destinations, relies heavily on the accommodation sector to support its economy. However, a significant number of small and medium accommodation businesses are operating without proper licenses, which raises concerns about safety, service standards and legal compliance, Mr Niphon noted.
The committee’s study aims to address these issues by facilitating the licensing process and improving regulatory frameworks, he added.
“The subcommittee has been working closely with government agencies, private sector stakeholders and hotel operators to identify the challenges faced by unlicensed accommodations,” Mr Niphon said.
“It has examined businesses that have successfully obtained licenses, those in the application process, and those struggling with regulatory barriers.
“Among the key obstacles identified are ministerial regulations defining the characteristics of buildings eligible for hotel licenses, as well as limitations that prevent unlicensed operators from accessing government support and benefits,” Mr Niphon added.
To tackle these challenges, the study report proposes the establishment of a ‘One-Stop Service Center for Medium-sized and Small Accommodation License Applications’, Mr Niphon explained.
The center would provide legal guidance, support in permit applications and assistance with necessary building renovations to ensure compliance, he said.
Additionally, the committee suggests the development of an ‘E-Licensing system’ and a ‘Smart Licensing platform’ to streamline the application process, he added.
Legislative amendments are also recommended to refine existing laws and improve coordination between relevant ministries in processing hotel business licenses, Mr Niphon noted.
“Phuket Province will serve as a case study for these efforts, with the goal of implementing similar strategies in other tourist destinations across the country,” he said.
The initiative is expected to boost the standards and competitiveness of small and medium-sized accommodation businesses, ensuring they align with national and international tourism expectations, said an official report of the event.
By addressing these regulatory gaps, the committee hopes to reinforce Phuket’s reputation as a high-quality, safe, and sustainable tourist hotspot while fostering economic stability for local business operators, the report added.