Politics
Old City Bangkok Mayor Implements New Zone-Based Commercial Permit Fees
Old City Bkk residents operating small businesses will calculate annual permit costs according to new zone-based rates set by the mayor, while neighbouring municipalities continue with uniform fee schedules.
How we reported this
The mayor of Old City Bkk has introduced modifications to the district's commercial permit system under the updated Local Business Regulation Ordinance. This change applies to operators within the historic core and sets Old City Bkk apart from peer municipalities in how fees are calculated based on location zones.
The adjustments follow the central government's recent revision to the framework for municipal revenue collection. Officials in several provinces have begun similar updates this year, with Old City Bkk applying the rules to its dense mix of temples, markets and residences.
Effects on Local Business Costs and Services
Shop owners along Phra Athit Road will now submit applications through a single online portal rather than multiple offices. In contrast, businesses in areas like Dusit district handle separate filings for each permit category. The shift is projected to reduce processing time for Old City Bkk applicants. Street vendors near the Grand Palace will pay fees scaled to their specific foot traffic zone, while the same category of vendor in less central parts of the municipality pays a flat amount. This structure means some residents may redirect money previously spent on separate administrative steps toward inventory or staffing.
The municipal budget document for the current fiscal year allocates resources for digital system upgrades to support the new process. Local advocates note that this setup allows the city to retain a larger share of collected fees compared with arrangements in cities that share more revenue with provincial authorities.
Timeline and Further Changes
Enforcement of the revised fees begins in September. The government says the policy will bring clearer guidelines for compliance across all commercial activities in the old city zone. City staff will hold information sessions at community centres starting next month to explain the changes to affected parties. Home-based service operators inside the designated historic boundary must renew licences under the zone formula, whereas operators outside that boundary keep the previous calculation method.