Pictures courtesy of Daily News

 

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) Region 8, on 23 September, has launched legal action against luxury villa projects in Koh Samui, Surat Thani, citing clear violations of the law. The move is part of a broader effort to address illegal land encroachment, environmental harm and the use of nominee companies by foreign investors. NACC officials stressed the importance of integrity and transparency among public officials.

 

The investigation follows actions by the Fourth Army Area Command under the “Samui Model,” targeting 24 sites in Koh Samui. The initiative addresses unauthorised construction on steep land and illegal foreign-operated businesses. Initial inspections revealed 93 violations of five laws, including the Building Control Act, the Hotel Act and the Foreign Business Act, prompting complaints to the Natural Resources and Environment Crime Suppression Division.

 

NACC Region 8, led by Deputy Secretary-General Suchart Kruaykitanon and Surat Thani Provincial Director Netipon Chumyong, inspected the sites with multiple agencies. These included the Royal Thai Police, Land Department, Surat Thani Revenue Office and local municipalities. Investigators found continuing construction despite prior enforcement and some completed villas operating without legal permits.

 

At one site in Mae Nam, five completed villas were found operating despite being in a “red zone” under environmental law, where construction is prohibited. The villas were listed online for booking, despite displaying “closed for renovation” signs. Tax office reports revealed suspicious foreign transfers and nominee company arrangements, raising concerns about potential money laundering.

 

Deputy Secretary-General Suchart stated the violations justified coordinated investigation and prosecution by NACC Region 8, the Fourth Army and related agencies. The effort aligns with NACC’s proactive strategy to prevent corruption, offering guidance to officials to ensure compliance with legal standards.

 

For fiscal year 2026, Surat Thani’s NACC office has designated Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao as “anti-corruption hotspots.” Agencies will enforce laws with full transparency and assess progress quarterly. The ongoing investigation into official misconduct linked to the Koh Samui villas is advancing under joint NACC and military supervision.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• NACC Region 8 has confirmed 93 legal violations in Koh Samui luxury villa projects.

• Investigations revealed unauthorised construction, nominee companies and possible money laundering.

• Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao are now designated “anti-corruption hotspots” for fiscal year 2026.

 

Related Stories

 

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  Adapted by Asean Now from Dailynews 2025-09-25

 

 

 

 

About time.

 

One hopes the local authorities responsible for approving these developments spend a long time in prison.

Blah blah blah !!

They say this every 6 months for last several years and nothing done about any of it .

Yet they let construction/destruction continue everywhere. Place looks an utter mess compared to 10-15 years ago and I see now they are starting to destroy the south west area which was fairly untouched before.

They just wait until construction is completed. I gave never heard of a house being torn down. Wanna guess who lives in them now?

4 minutes ago, ronster said:

Blah blah blah !!

They say this every 6 months for last several years and nothing done about any of it .

Yet they let construction/destruction continue everywhere. Place looks an utter mess compared to 10-15 years ago and I see now they are starting to destroy the south west area which was fairly untouched before.

 

Invariably there is something done about it - they get a slice of the cheddar, and move onto the next.

 

I moved on 15 or so Years ago, after Chaweng started heavily flooding, because of all the development, all the mountains and trees ripped out, replaced by concrete.

 

15 Years ago it looked an utter mess compared to 30 Years ago - forever and ever, amen.

 

Just the usual cyclic lip service, which Thai's are renowned for - snib snib.

8 minutes ago, Pla Simon said:

 

Invariably there is something done about it - they get a slice of the cheddar, and move onto the next.

 

I moved on 15 or so Years ago, after Chaweng started heavily flooding, because of all the development, all the mountains and trees ripped out, replaced by concrete.

 

15 Years ago it looked an utter mess compared to 30 Years ago - forever and ever, amen.

 

Just the usual cyclic lip service, which Thai's are renowned for - snib snib.

Starting to resemble favelas in Rio in some places now 🙈

On 9/25/2025 at 5:16 AM, Georgealbert said:

 

Pictures courtesy of Daily News

 

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) Region 8, on 23 September, has launched legal action against luxury villa projects in Koh Samui, Surat Thani, citing clear violations of the law. The move is part of a broader effort to address illegal land encroachment, environmental harm and the use of nominee companies by foreign investors. NACC officials stressed the importance of integrity and transparency among public officials.

 

The investigation follows actions by the Fourth Army Area Command under the “Samui Model,” targeting 24 sites in Koh Samui. The initiative addresses unauthorised construction on steep land and illegal foreign-operated businesses. Initial inspections revealed 93 violations of five laws, including the Building Control Act, the Hotel Act and the Foreign Business Act, prompting complaints to the Natural Resources and Environment Crime Suppression Division.

 

NACC Region 8, led by Deputy Secretary-General Suchart Kruaykitanon and Surat Thani Provincial Director Netipon Chumyong, inspected the sites with multiple agencies. These included the Royal Thai Police, Land Department, Surat Thani Revenue Office and local municipalities. Investigators found continuing construction despite prior enforcement and some completed villas operating without legal permits.

 

At one site in Mae Nam, five completed villas were found operating despite being in a “red zone” under environmental law, where construction is prohibited. The villas were listed online for booking, despite displaying “closed for renovation” signs. Tax office reports revealed suspicious foreign transfers and nominee company arrangements, raising concerns about potential money laundering.

 

Deputy Secretary-General Suchart stated the violations justified coordinated investigation and prosecution by NACC Region 8, the Fourth Army and related agencies. The effort aligns with NACC’s proactive strategy to prevent corruption, offering guidance to officials to ensure compliance with legal standards.

 

For fiscal year 2026, Surat Thani’s NACC office has designated Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao as “anti-corruption hotspots.” Agencies will enforce laws with full transparency and assess progress quarterly. The ongoing investigation into official misconduct linked to the Koh Samui villas is advancing under joint NACC and military supervision.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• NACC Region 8 has confirmed 93 legal violations in Koh Samui luxury villa projects.

• Investigations revealed unauthorised construction, nominee companies and possible money laundering.

• Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao are now designated “anti-corruption hotspots” for fiscal year 2026.

 

Related Stories

 

Ex-Beckham-villa-among-properties-raided-in-Koh-Samui-building-crackdown/

 

Reporter-and-villa-executive-resolve-dispute-on-Koh-Samui

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Dailynews 2025-09-25

 

 

 

 

I live on Samui , have seen these gov officials here many times, all saying they will do this and that, nothing ever happens, apart from them getting “ unusually rich”! There is a massive Chinese development above our area, was deemed all illegal, but work continues, lights are on at night… 

it just shows you can “ buy” any official here, it’s a total joke! Very risky to “ invest “ here, lawyers are in on it too, and don’t do due diligence, land officials look the other way, there are no building inspections, and building permits can be purchased! 
buyer beware!!!! Not going to stop anytime soon either ! The greed here is unbelievable!

On 9/25/2025 at 5:16 AM, Georgealbert said:

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) Region 8, on 23 September, has launched legal action against luxury villa projects in Koh Samui, Surat Thani, citing clear violations of the law.

After they're built????

Not the first time this happened on Samui. 

In the end it's foriegn investors out of pocket.

Then rinse and repeat.

It happens all over Thailand, amazing how they keep getting away with it, One project near me has been under investigation for the past 5 years, just by looking at it I can tell it's illegal, still nothing done about it.