The action was confirmed by Deputy Phuket Governor Romdon Haji Awae. The closures were imposed during the week before September 26, 2026, after the operators did not complete the necessary work despite receiving additional time.

What Phuket's hotel licence update means

![Traveler reading Phuket hotel information on a phone before booking accommodation]

Quick answer: Phuket's hotel licence update means 5 hotels have been ordered to suspend operations temporarily. If you have a booking on the island, confirm that your hotel is still open and check the cancellation or relocation options that apply to you.

The orders apply to 5 specific properties, not to the whole island. The report does not say that travelers in general are affected, so the main risk falls on guests who hold bookings at the suspended hotels.

If your hotel is among the affected properties, contact it as soon as possible to ask whether your stay will go ahead. Keep your booking confirmation, payment receipt, and any messages, because they help if you need to change or cancel the reservation.

Why 5 Phuket hotels were suspended

![Exterior of a Phuket hotel representing a property under a temporary suspension order]

Authorities had given unlicensed hotels and properties with structural problems 30 days to correct physical deficiencies. The 5 affected operators did not complete the required improvements during that original period or during the additional time that followed.

The mix of missing licences and structural problems shows that the enforcement covers both paperwork and the physical condition of a building.

The temporary suspension orders were issued under Thailand's hotel regulatory framework. The reported action is separate from the July enforcement operation involving 5 other Phuket properties.

The July properties were The Proud Karon and Phuket Moonlit in Phuket Town, The Charm Resort and Citygate Kamala Resort in Kathu, and The Wood Terrace in Thalang.

The report does not name the 5 hotels affected by the later suspension orders, so do not assume they are the same properties as the July group.

What this means for Phuket bookings

Do not assume that a property is licensed just because it appears on an online booking platform. Before you pay, check the hotel's current operating status and read the cancellation terms carefully.

If a hotel has been ordered to suspend operations, existing reservations may need to change. The available report does not confirm a province-wide procedure for refunds, transfers, or replacement accommodation, so contact the property or your booking provider directly.

If you arrive soon, check your hotel's status again close to your travel date, because the situation may change while the review continues.

For related reading, see AsiaBuddy's guide on why direct booking is safer for a Thailand trip.

When you compare places to stay, you can start from the Thailand hotel booking page.

Other Phuket hotels under review

About 40 other Phuket hotels remain under consideration for licence renewals. Some reportedly still lack important documents, including environmental impact assessment reports or structural safety certificates.

These properties are on separate regulatory tracks with different deadlines. Provincial authorities expect the outstanding documents to be submitted during October 2026, after which the applications will continue through the relevant review process.

The renewal review does not mean that every hotel among the 40 has been ordered to close. Check each property's current status instead of treating the whole group the same way.

Because the document deadlines run into October 2026, travelers with later bookings may want to check their hotel's status again nearer to arrival, especially if the property is still waiting for a renewal decision.

What Phuket travelers should check

![Traveler checking Phuket hotel booking conditions and cancellation terms on a laptop]

Before you book or pay for a Phuket hotel, review the following:

• •Current operating status and licence information.
• •Cancellation, refund, and change conditions.
• •The property's direct contact details.
• •Whether the booking can be moved if the hotel stops operating.
• •The latest confirmation from the property or booking provider.

If a hotel cannot confirm that it is open, consider choosing another property before you pay. A written confirmation by email or message gives you a record if plans change.

For general Thailand trip planning, use the Thailand travel planning hub and keep records of your booking, payment, and cancellation conditions.

Have a question about your trip? Contact AsiaBuddy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why were 5 Phuket hotels ordered to suspend operations?

Authorities said the hotels had not obtained the required licences or completed requested improvements after receiving an original 30-day period and additional time.

Were the 5 hotels named in the report?

No. The report does not name the 5 properties ordered to suspend operations. The named properties belong to a separate July enforcement operation.

Are all 40 hotels under review closed?

No. The 40 hotels are under consideration for licence renewals on separate regulatory tracks. The available report does not say that all 40 have been ordered to suspend operations.

What should travelers do before booking a Phuket hotel?

Check the property's current operating status, review cancellation terms, and confirm directly with the property or booking provider before paying.

Does the suspension affect the whole of Phuket?

No. The orders apply to 5 specific properties, and the report does not describe a wider closure of Phuket hotels. Travelers with bookings at other properties should still check their hotel's status before paying.