Phuket Launches Licence Lab to Help Small Accommodation Businesses Get Licensed

Phuket has launched the Phuket Licence Lab, a new initiative designed to help small and medium-sized accommodation businesses address building and regulatory issues that have prevented them from obtaining the licences required to operate legally.

Five organisations from the professional, academic and tourism sectors signed a memorandum of understanding for the project on October 5 at Phuket City Development Company (PKCD) in Mueang Phuket district.

The initiative was created in response to licensing difficulties faced by many smaller accommodation operators. In some cases, buildings were constructed before current regulations came into effect, leaving owners with structural or documentary issues that must be resolved before licences can be issued.

Common problems include inadequate fire exits and fire protection systems, building setback and open-space requirements, urban planning regulations, wastewater treatment systems and land ownership documentation.

Such issues can create challenges both for guest safety and for businesses seeking to bring their operations into full compliance with regulations.

Under the MOU, Phuket Licence Lab will work in three main areas.

One part of the project involves an “architect volunteer lab”, through which volunteer architects will provide advice, conduct building surveys and offer design recommendations to accommodation operators.

Information collected during site inspections will also be used to develop assessment tools and formulate policy proposals. The project will additionally serve as a platform connecting universities, professional associations and private businesses in Phuket.

During the first phase, project partners tested the volunteer architect system at an accommodation business already undergoing the licensing process.

The team trialled intake documents and preliminary building inspection forms, while also testing procedures for preparing professional recommendations and submitting them to local administrative organisations.

The working group subsequently inspected two accommodation businesses within Phuket City Municipality.

The visits focused on practical issues involving fire exits, building setbacks, wastewater treatment systems and land ownership documents.

Volunteer architects used the assessment forms during the inspections to collect information, identify shortcomings and refine the process before the programme is expanded to other accommodation businesses.

The initiative aims to help smaller operators resolve licensing obstacles and improve safety standards. At the same time, information gathered from existing buildings is expected to contribute to policy proposals that better reflect Phuket’s current urban conditions.