Airbnb Launches New Features in Thailand, Remains Totally Illegal

Teeranai Charuvastra
Khaosod English

BANGKOK — Airbnb announced new additions to its service in Thailand on Wednesday, even as a representative of the hospitality giant sidestepped questions about its legal status.

Five years after it launched in Thailand, Airbnb is working with the authorities to address the regulatory issues, company cofounder Joe Gebbia said at a Thursday news conference touting new activity packages for travelers using the service.

As they have labeled other so-called disruptive technologies such as Uber or Grab, Thai officials have branded Airbnb’s business model as illegal, saying it violates business codes and tax laws, which disallow subletting residences to tourists for short-term stay.

more Airbnb Launches New Features in Thailand, Remains Totally Illegal

service charges, cleaning charges and security deposits make a lot of airbnb not much cheaper than hotels

My buddy uses air BNB on his Thailand trips (he's been in and out of LOS for decades) and loves it.

I've never used but will try it next time.