Trusted certification for hotels

[Gaybutton]

They could start by making balconies much more safe so we don't have to see news items about people falling off balconies, getting injured and killed, nearly every week.
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Thailand Introduces Trusted Thailand Certification Program for Hotels to Boost Tourist Confidence

By Adam Judd

September 28, 2025

Thailand has introduced the Trusted Thailand Certification, a program created to raise safety standards and boost traveler confidence in the hospitality sector. Registration opened on September 27 at 10:00 p.m., giving hotels and accommodations across the country the opportunity to apply through the official website.

According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the certification is based on four key standards: General safety measures, secure payment systems, multilingual communication, and accessible facilities. Properties that meet these criteria will enhance their credibility while growing their appeal to both domestic and international travelers.

Certified establishments will become part of a nationwide network of trusted accommodations, enhancing Thailand’s reputation as a safe and welcoming destination. The program is also expected to open new opportunities for tourism businesses and support long-term growth in the industry.

https://thepattayanews.com/2025/09/28/t ... onfidence/

[Jun]

They could start by making balconies much more safe so we don't have to see news items about people falling off balconies, getting injured and killed, nearly every week.

In my opinion, Thai balcony rails are frequently not high enough.
Also, as far as possible, I also intend to ensure that no one in Thailand would have a financial gain if I fell over a balcony.

Thailand Introduces Trusted Thailand Certification Program for Hotels to Boost Tourist Confidence

Would you trust a "Trusted Thailand Certification Program" to be free from bribery & corruption? So that we might even consider trusting it ?

[Gaybutton]

I also intend to ensure that no one in Thailand would have a financial gain if I fell over a balcony.

Miller: "You don't trust anyone, do you?"
Stavros: "That is why I have lived so long."
- David Niven (Miller), Anthony Quinn (Stavros), 'The Guns of Navarone'

[Gaybutton]

Would you trust a "Trusted Thailand Certification Program" to be free from bribery & corruption?

What? Are you implying there is even a possibility of dishonesty and tea money? Never Never Never . . .

(But I wouldn't mind having the contents of the wallet belonging to whoever decides which hotels get the certification)

[Jun]

But I wouldn't mind having the contents of the wallet belonging to whoever decides which hotels get the certification

Precisely. I wouldn't trust the certification at all.

However, even without such nonsense, I have no problems finding nice good value hotels in Thailand. It's the best place I know for good value hotels, with satisfactory quality.
Well, possibly rivaled by parts of Vietnam, which I still don't intend to visit on a regular basis.

Myanmar & Laos offer considerably worse value in hotels. I am either disappointed by the quality or I need to pay more to get the same standard of hotel I get in Thailand.
For example, I remember going to Savannakhet (Laos). I was briefly surprised by all the nice looking cheap hotels on Agoda, until I realised those were over the river in Mukdahan (Thailand). In Laos, it was necessary to either pay considerably more or compromise on quality/location. Were it not for the ~$40 Lao visa fee, I'd have probably slept in Thailand.

[Gaybutton]

Precisely. I wouldn't trust the certification at all.

Let's hope Agoda and other booking sites feel the same way. In my time I've seen too many hotels advertising photos of their beautiful exteriors and lobbies, but the rooms, to put it mildly, could do with improvement. I'm a little more interested in the room than the lobby.

[Jun]

Precisely. I wouldn't trust the certification at all.

Let's hope Agoda and other booking sites feel the same way. In my time I've seen too many hotels advertising photos of their beautiful exteriors and lobbies, but the rooms, to put it mildly, could do with improvement. I'm a little more interested in the room than the lobby.

I usually pick my hotels based on customer reviews (which I read), good pictures, recommendations and past experience. I would pay zero attention to certification.

Past experience also includes chains. For example, the Thai "Hop Inn" chain is very professional, efficient & standardised to an extent I've not seen anywhere else.

For a long stay hotel in Pattaya, I would either view the room first, or try a test booking of 1~2 nights. Then once I like something, I keep going back until something changes.