ThailandUpdated Jun 1, 2025
Thailand: Recovering hotel security deposits
Thai hotels routinely hold cash or card pre-authorisations as deposits. Under the Consumer Protection Act B.E. 2522, they cannot withhold funds without documented, itemised damage.
Your rights
- The Consumer Protection Act (CPA) prohibits unfair contract terms and requires clear disclosure of charges.
- Hotels must provide an itemised invoice for any deductions from a deposit.
- Pre-authorisations on credit cards must be released, typically within 7–14 business days.
- Foreign tourists have the same protections as Thai citizens under the CPA.
Steps to take
- 1Request a written, itemised statement of the alleged damage with photos.
- 2If photos pre-exist your stay or are unclear, demand the hotel prove the damage occurred during your stay.
- 3Send a formal demand letter referencing the Consumer Protection Act and a 14-day deadline.
- 4If unresolved, file a complaint with the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB).
Example cases
"Damage" charge for a stain that was already there
Full refundBangkok hotel฿8,000 deposit
- What happened
- At checkout the hotel kept the full cash deposit, claiming a sofa stain. The guest had check-in photos showing the same stain.
- What they did
- Sent a demand letter citing the Consumer Protection Act with the timestamped check-in photos, and asked for an itemised damage invoice within 14 days.
- Outcome
- The hotel refunded the full ฿8,000 by bank transfer 9 days after the letter.
Card hold not released after 30 days
Full refundPhuket resort฿15,000 pre-authorisation
- What happened
- A pre-authorisation stayed on the guest's credit card for more than a month after a stay with no incidents.
- What they did
- Emailed the resort for a written release confirmation, then opened a dispute with the card issuer when it did not reply.
- Outcome
- The issuer released the hold within 5 business days of the dispute.
Cash deposit withheld with no checkout evidence
RejectedChiang Mai guesthouse฿3,000 deposit
- What happened
- The owner claimed a broken lamp and kept the cash deposit. The guest had no photos and no receipt for the deposit.
- What they did
- Filed an OCPB complaint based only on a written account of what happened.
- Outcome
- The complaint was closed for lack of evidence. Lesson: always get a deposit receipt and take checkout photos.
Illustrative examples, not legal advice.
Start a similar claimWho to escalate to
- Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) — call 1166 or file online at ocpb.go.th.
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) tourist police hotline 1155.
- Small Claims Court for amounts under THB 300,000 (foreigners can file).
- Your card issuer — request a chargeback citing 'services not as described'.
Template phrases
"Pursuant to Section 35 bis of the Thai Consumer Protection Act B.E. 2522, I formally request an itemised account of the deductions made from my deposit, together with photographic evidence dated within my stay."
"Failing a satisfactory response within 14 days, I will file a formal complaint with the Office of the Consumer Protection Board."
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Informational only — not legal advice. RefundRights cites publicly available consumer-protection rules and is intended to help you assert your rights. For binding advice, consult a qualified lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction.