The latest operation targeted Chateau du Village Patong Hotel on Phra Metta Rd on Tuesday (June 16) as part of the Department of Provincial Administration’s (DOPA) ongoing nationwide crackdown on illegal hotels.
DOPA said the operation was carried out under government policy directed by Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, with Director-General Narucha Khosasilvilai ordering special operations officers to investigate unlicensed accommodation businesses in key tourist destinations.
According to DOPA, investigators found that Chateau du Village Patong Hotel was accepting bookings through online platforms and operating as a hotel without holding the licence required under the Hotel Act 2004.
Officials alleged that the hotel had previously been arrested and prosecuted by DOPA’s special operations unit in February this year, but had continued operating in violation of the law.
"This reflects a blatant disregard for the law and negatively impacts legitimate businesses," DOPA said.
To gather evidence, officers booked rooms at the property as part of a sting operation before coordinating with Patong Police to inspect the premises and take legal action.
During the inspection, officers collected documents and other evidence before handing the case to investigators at Patong Police Station.
According to the police report, Chateau Phuket Co Ltd, represented by Athiwat Saengsom, will be prosecuted for operating a hotel business without a licence.
Police also confirmed the hotel had previously been prosecuted for the same offence. In February, the Phuket Provincial Court found the defendant guilty of operating a hotel without a licence, imposing a six-month prison sentence that was suspended for one year along with a B10,000 fine. The court also ordered an additional daily fine of B1,000 dating back to Jan 31, 2025, and continuing for as long as the offence persisted.
The latest complaint has been lodged by Kathu District officials, with Patong Police now responsible for continuing the investigation.
DOPA said it would continue targeting illegal hotels across Thailand to ensure fair competition for licensed operators, protect tourist safety and prevent illegal businesses from profiting while allegedly paying bribes to avoid enforcement.
The latest raid follows a series of operations in Phuket over recent days. Last week, DOPA officers arrested operators of seven allegedly unlicensed accommodation businesses in Patong, Karon and Rawai as part of the same nationwide campaign.
Of note, until now, DOPA has chosen to withhold from identifying the hotels raided by name. For reasons unexplained, DOPA this time has chosen to specifically identify the Chateau du Village Patong Hotel, and its owner, Athiwat Saengsom.
DOPA, and its chief Narucha, have not given any explanation for the sudden change in policy.
Instead, DOPA maintained that inspections of suspected illegal hotels will continue in “major tourism destinations throughout the country”. So far, the inspections seem to be focussing only on Phuket.
The latest raid comes as DOPA Director-General Narucha remains under political scrutiny over allegations that he interfered in February’s national election.
Earlier this month, Phuket MP Chalermpong Saengdee and People’s Party deputy leader Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn filed formal complaints with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) and the Election Commission seeking investigations into Narucha and other senior Interior Ministry officials over the so-called ‘Helping the Blue’ scandal.
The complaints allege state officials were instructed to support candidates linked to the Bhumjaithai Party during the national election.
Narucha has publicly denied any wrongdoing.
The Bhumjaithai Party is led by current Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who also serves as Minister of Interior. PM Anutin has served as Minister of Interior for the past eight years, through several successive administrations.
DOPA operates directly under the Ministry of Interior.
See also:
Illegal hotel crackdown continues, seven arrested in two days
DOPA chief orders Phuket hotel raids
Phuket MP seeks NACC probe into election interference allegations
Phuket transfer row reaches Parliament as leaked chat faces questions
‘SET UP’: Transferred Phuket officials push back as Patong probe deepens