Authorities are taking action against a Chiang Mai hotel owned by green tea tycoon Tan Passakornnatee for operating without a licence.
Muang district officials, police and soldiers descended on the Eastin Tan Hotel on Huay Kaew Road on Friday to check its licence.
District chief Saranyu Meethongkham said manager Chulaluck Mee-intha could not provide evidence showing that the hotel had permission to operate.
The management had sought permission to operate a hotel from the district office but it was denied after authorities found some details in the request did not match the original blueprints, Mr Saranyu added.
The manager was charged with illegally running a hotel after being questioned at the Bhubing Rajanivej police station in Chiang Mai.
The hotel is owned by Mr Tan, 57, who is the president and chief executive of Ichitan Group. Mr Tan, a tireless self-promoter, made his fortune with the Oishi chain of Japanese restaurants and green tea brand before selling his shares and forming a rival company selling the same product.
He posted a message on his Facebook account on Nov 16, 2014 introducing the property. "Let me introduce the Eastin Hotel in Chiang Mai. It's my new hotel," he wrote.
A staff member at the hotel said it was still open on Friday even after the licence inspection.