KOH SAMUI, THAILAND – A luxury villa estate in Bo Phut is continuing to host tourists despite multiple demolition orders and missed deadlines dating back to 2019.
Years of ignored demolition orders
The citizens’ group Citizens for Samui has raised the alarm over an upscale villa project in Moo 3, Maret, which was ordered demolished under Thailand’s Building Control Act of 2522 (1979) but has instead expanded. According to the group, initial demolition dates were scheduled for October 2019.
“First demolition dates were already set for October 2019,”
said Citizens for Samui, citing the legal basis for the order.
Despite these decisions, the complex has grown and now consists of 11 luxury villas and a communal building, all described as illegal structures. From October 2019 to April 2025, the Koh Samui municipality issued repeated demolition notices without result. Even the special “Samui Model” task force, established to tackle such cases, failed to halt operations. On 10 April a new deadline was set for 23 October, which was again ignored.
International investors and legal standoff
Behind the controversial project are international investors, with 49 percent of the shares reportedly held by Chinese shareholders. Local authorities admit they have been unable to enforce the law on site.
“Attempts to enforce the law were obstructed by the project management,”
said local officials in an official statement.
Police in Bo Phut have received complaints alleging obstruction of official duties and violations of administrative orders. At the same time, the operator has taken legal action; on 31 October 2025, the company filed an appeal against the municipal decisions. Proceedings have since stalled, with no visible progress.
Potential multimillion-baht burden for taxpayers
If the state ultimately carries out the demolition itself, the municipality estimates the cost at 11 million baht (about 275,000 euros). According to Daily News, officials have prepared a budget request for these expenses, which still needs approval from the municipal council.
“The officials have prepared a budget request,”
reported The Daily News, noting that the funds have yet to be authorised.
Until a decision is made, the operators continue to rent out the villas, profiting from what critics describe as illegal luxury tourism, while legal uncertainty persists for authorities and guests alike.
Safety concerns amid quakes and landslides
Residents are also voicing safety concerns. The surrounding area has recently experienced minor earthquakes and landslides, prompting fears that unapproved hill-side construction could amplify risks.
Local observers warn that illegal structures like the villas may pose serious dangers in an emergency, with the potential to become death traps if the ground shifts or collapses. Despite these warnings, the operators are reported to be ignoring all calls for compliance, and business at the property continues.
Power of investors versus weak enforcement
The prolonged resistance to demolition orders has sparked questions over who ultimately holds power on Koh Samui: public authorities or private investors. The standoff highlights what critics see as a wider clash between “rich money and weak rules”, as enforcement efforts confront sustained legal and practical obstruction from a lucrative real estate venture.