Led by Vice Chairman Nipon Ekwanich, the committee was welcomed at Patong Municipality by Mayor Lalita Maneesri, local executives, hotel owners and small-scale accommodation operators.
Central to the discussions was the impact of the recent expiration of the Ministerial Regulation on Other Building Types for Hotel Businesses, which lapsed on Aug 18. Many smaller operators remain unable to obtain full licences, leaving them in legal limbo and creating barriers to doing business.
Mayor Lalita told the committee that Patong Municipality is committed to addressing these issues by promoting legal access for small businesses and supporting the long-term goal of developing Patong as a Smart City for tourism.
“The municipality is ensuring that all procedures comply with the law, so that small businesses and entrepreneurs can generate income, gain stability and secure the proper licences,” she said. “We are committed to helping operators move forward legally and sustainably.”
Mr Nipon said the committee had been informed that more than 5,000 accommodation businesses in Phuket were still unregistered, a problem requiring urgent attention.
“The problems are not only in the law but also in mindsets,” he said. “We must integrate solutions between the public and private sectors. Each area faces different challenges, and Phuket should not be singled out as a ‘model’ for these problems.
“Amending or revising the law is a long and complex process, but the priority is to secure stability and sustainability for Phuket’s tourism industry.”
He stressed that the cooperation of local entrepreneurs and the public is essential to strengthening the economy and maximising the province’s tourism potential.
After the meeting, the committee visited both licensed and unlicensed hotels in Patong to hear directly from operators. Their feedback, Mr Nipon said, will be taken into account in shaping practical and comprehensive solutions.