Samui villa demolition runs into hurdles

Inhabitants of 11 dwellings refuse to leave and work manager’s lawyer files complaint

Eleven illegally built luxury villas on Koh Samui in Surat Thani are being torn down. (Photo: Supaphong Chaolan)
Surat Thani’s eleven improperly constructed luxury palaces on Koh Samui are being torn down. ( Photo: Supaphong Chaolan )

Authorities on Koh Samui, a visitor island, are attempting to demolish 11 luxury villas once more after their initial attempt earlier this week failed.

Initial plans for the Ariya House project in Tambon Maret to start on Monday were changed, but due to the project owner’s protest, the demolition work was delayed.

Following an attempt from Nanthawat Charoenwan, lieutenant governor of Surat Thani, the procedure was resumed on Wednesday. He gave the order to Koh Samui president Ramnet Jaikwang to impose the operational authority and have the buildings destroyed in his ability as acting governor.

Officers arrived there to find the 11 palaces occupied. The residents of the building did not give any details about themselves. Through the doors, local authorities contacted them about the destruction order and requested that they evict the buildings.

Mr. Ramnet claimed that when the lieutenant governor gave him instructions to uphold his managerial authority, he claimed that local police had been alerted to the blockage on Monday and that they were prepared to file a formal complaint.

According to the governor, he gave legal professional Panlop Meepian the task of supervising the demolition process after receiving a statewide authority’s order.

According to Mr. Panlop, a demolition notice was posted on the property and that those who did n’t comply would face legal action. He claimed that the city do employ a company to carry out the destruction project, which is estimated to cost 11 million ringgit.

While officials from related companies observed, administrative authorities, police, and troops were dispatched to provide protection and aid the job.

In the interim, a lawyer for the job user has filed a complaint with the police for alleged trespassing against the officials.

The initiative, comprising 34 comfort residences, is operated by BS 2 Brothers Co.

The Office of the Ombudsman received a problem about illegal building in 2019. 11 villas were constructed in violation of the approved pattern, according to a later investigation.

They were ordered demolished, but the job landlord did not comply.