Report Phuket Villa Development Halted Amid Local Outcry Over Mudslides

[snoop1130]

Picture courtesy of Phuket News

 

A high-end villa project in Phuket’s Rawai district has been slapped with a construction ban following fierce complaints from locals, who claimed it was transforming their area into a muddy mess. The VIP Galaxy Villa, a two-storey luxury development, faced backlash due to alleged planning violations that led to mudslides contaminating public land in Moo 6.

 

These grievances prompted action from local authorities. Phuket MP Chalermpong Saengdee confirmed that an enforcement team was dispatched to inspect the site on May 27, following repeated complaints. The inspection revealed serious violations, resulting in the issuance of a stop-work order by Rawai Municipality as early as May 8. The developers were initially given a 15-day deadline to rectify the situation by cleaning up the affected areas.

 

However, rather than addressing the issues, the contractor remarkably submitted a new construction permit application just two days before the MP's inspection, on May 23. The project's missteps included unapproved excavation deeper than 3 metres and reconfiguring over 10,000 square metres of land without governmental notification. The developer also reportedly elevated the site above neighbouring plots, increasing risks of flooding and additional landslides as the rainy season looms.

 

Despite these significant breaches, the potential for legal action remains uncertain. The development halt arrives amid a boom in Thailand’s luxury villa market, driven by foreign investment. Post-pandemic, affluent international buyers have shown keen interest in long-term villa leases in prime locations such as Phuket, Chon Buri, and Surat Thani.

 

According to housing expert Dr Wichai Wiratkaphan, leasehold contracts for villas in Phuket surged by 90% from 2022, with investment values tripling over the past year. “The trend is clear, foreign buyers are no longer just after condos. Villas offer both a lavish lifestyle and a smart investment,” noted Dr Wichai.

 

While Thailand’s villas remain attractively priced compared to international markets, the ongoing allure for foreign investors is contingent on developers complying with the necessary regulations to preserve both community welfare and environmental integrity. The VIP Galaxy Villa saga serves as a stark reminder of the need for responsible developments as Thailand's real estate landscape continues to thrive.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-05-28

 

 

[watchcat]

On 5/28/2025 at 10:42 AM, snoop1130 said:

A high-end villa project in Phuket’s Rawai district has been slapped with a construction ban following fierce complaints from locals, who claimed it was transforming their area into a muddy mess.

 

Good!

[impulse]

Surely someone in the Thai gub'ment has access to a GIS map showing what land is off limits to development and access to Google Earth or some other commercial satellite data to show what development is encroaching? 

 

As I recall, a lot of Phuket is off limits because it's too steep to develop safely.