Koh Tao’s Cape Shark Villas faces shutdown over illegal construction claims

[webfact]

 

In a recent controversial development on Koh Tao Island, a villa constructed without necessary permissions in a resort named Cape Shark Villas, has been instructed to cease operations by local authorities. An investigation is underway to check if other villas within the resort have conformed to obligatory construction permits.

 

The villa under investigation is strategically perched on a rocky ledge, providing direct access to the clear waters of the island’s southern coast. It belongs to Cape Shark Villas, an upscale resort that encompasses more than 30 pool villas on its hilltop estate.

 

Unfolding over 48 square metres and standing one storey tall, the villa—coined “hideaway villa”—came into the spotlight following an anonymous complaint that was submitted to the Facebook page of a provincial anti-corruption community. The complaint called into question the legality of the villa’s existence.

Witchawut Jinto, the governor of Surat Thani, stressed the fact that every part of the picturesque Koh Tao island is under the jurisdiction of the Treasury Department. He urged all concerned entities to probe into the issue and determine if the hideaway villa was constructed with valid permission or if it even holds the legal right to exist as a resort in the first place.

 

By Mitch Connor

PHOTO: Facebook/Cape Shark Villas

 

Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/koh-taos-cape-shark-villas-faces-shutdown-over-illegal-construction-claims

 

-- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-06-24

 

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[PETERTHEEATER]

Yawn.......

[ujayujay]

Thai corruption swamp.....here we go......

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Witchawut Jinto, the governor of Surat Thani, stressed the fact that every part of the picturesque Koh Tao island is under the jurisdiction of the Treasury Department. He urged all concerned entities to probe into the issue and determine if the hideaway villa was constructed with valid permission or if it even holds the legal right to exist as a resort in the first place.

Corruption will be at the root of this.

[BritScot]

The whole island's construction is illegal right from its birth with illegal occupation by several families (who run the island). Pull them all down, rip up those hideous concrete streets. What a paradise it was before greed destroyed its charm and beauty. Memories of walking on sand streets, from restaurant to restaurant. I was there when they started building the cement brick resorts and pouring cement roads. Broke my hart, left and never went back. Thankfully I have the memories of what it was like living and working there. 

[shackleton]

Some one annoyed at being left off the gravy train list ????

[kidneyw]

No worries. In ten years time there will still be legal disputes about it being there and what to do with it.

Oh! And don't forget about the committee.

[phil2407]

Well if the whole island is owned by the Treasury Dept, ask that dept if permission was granted - yeah I know as TIT not so easy & straightforward but probably a good place to start! Then the Mayor, then the land office - keep going down the chain! Maybe I'm being too logical ????????

Edited June 24, 2023 by phil2407

[MrJ2U]

8 hours ago, BritScot said:

The whole island's construction is illegal right from its birth with illegal occupation by several families (who run the island). Pull them all down, rip up those hideous concrete streets. What a paradise it was before greed destroyed its charm and beauty. Memories of walking on sand streets, from restaurant to restaurant. I was there when they started building the cement brick resorts and pouring cement roads. Broke my hart, left and never went back. Thankfully I have the memories of what it was like living and working there. 

I was happy when they paved the roads and added a 7/11.

 

 

[webfact]

Koh Tao beach resort faces hefty fines and restoration orders on illegal structures and breaches

By Nattapong Westwood

 

Picture courtesy of กระทรวงทรัพยากรธรรมชาติและสิ่งแวดล้อม-ประเทศไทย Facebook.

 

The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) and related agencies has investigated a beach resort following viral social media images, consequently presenting four charges and ordering a restoration to its former state. The establishment in question, located on the popular Koh Tao island in Surat Thani province, a touristic gem often referred to as Turtle Island, came under scrutiny yesterday.

 

Assigned by DMCR Minister Warawut Silpa-archa, Dr. Yutthaphon Ankinan, the Minister’s advisor, inspected the resort alongside related personnel from DMCR and other involved agencies. They found that the entire island falls under royal possessions, overseen by the Department of Treasury.

 

The on-site structures were owned by Cape Shark Pool Villa Co. Ltd., with no construction permit. There were no attempts to rent the land from the treasury, nor did they have permission to erect any buildings. In fact, there had not been any announcements or permits of any nature. Local officers under the Building Control Act, B.E. 2522, had banned anyone from using or entering any part of the buildings since June 22.

 

Yutthaphon further revealed that pipes were installed in the guest housing area to dispose of wastewater directly into the sea, a public water source, with no government standard treatment. Officers notified Sunisa Lapport, the resort owner, of the violations committed by Cape Shark Pool Villa, branding their actions as unlawful, reported KhaoSod.

 

Full story: https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/crime/koh-tao-beach-resort-faces-hefty-fines-and-restoration-orders-on-illegal-structures-and-environmental-breaches

 

-- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-06-26

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.