Pictures courtesy of Khaosod 

 

Residents in Koh Samui have voiced anger after a private operator used heavy machinery to dig up a historic iron relic long regarded as a local landmark. The incident took place on 26 September 2025 at Ban Tai public beach in Mae Nam, where the relic, believed to be decades old, had been embedded in the sand for generations. Local people said the structure was part of the community’s heritage, attracting both residents and tourists.

 

Officials from the Internal Security Operations Command Region 4, Samui Marine Department office and members of the Samui municipal council met with more than 30 residents who demanded accountability. The relic, described as a cone-shaped iron structure with a base diameter of three metres and a thickness of about two centimetres, had been corroded by seawater and buried in sand along the shoreline. After being unearthed, it was moved onto nearby wave-breaking rocks, while scattered fragments remained in the surrounding area.

 

For decades, the iron relic had served as a local attraction, drawing visitors to photograph and speculate about its origins. Community members suggested it might be part of a warship from World War I, a ship mast, or even a boiler funnel from a steamship. Locals expressed frustration that the removal was carried out without consultation, particularly as the relic was not located on private land but on public shoreline.

 

One resident, Ms Sucha, said proper procedures should have been followed by consulting the community or maritime authorities before taking action. Provincial governance committee member Mr Narob Thuaycharoen added that the relic had been part of the beach landscape for generations, with its origins never fully explained by elders who had also grown up seeing it. He criticised the unauthorised excavation as reckless and disrespectful to the community.

 

Samui marine transport officials clarified that the relic was not officially registered as a heritage item and therefore not under their jurisdiction. They explained that unless excavation involved dredging or construction in waterways, it would not fall under the Marine Department’s remit. However, they confirmed that if any laws were broken, legal proceedings would follow.

 

Authorities have now referred the matter to the Underwater Archaeology Division of the Fine Arts Department. Experts will investigate whether the relic is linked to Thailand’s maritime history, possibly dating back to the reigns of King Rama V–VI (1897–1917), when steamship navigation became widespread for both government and commerce. A formal examination is expected to determine the relic’s historical significance and guide any protective measures.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• A private operator excavated a historic iron relic on Ban Tai beach, angering Samui residents.

• The cone-shaped iron object, thought to be decades of years old, had been a local landmark and tourist attraction.

• Authorities have referred the case to the Fine Arts Department for underwater archaeology experts to investigate.

 

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  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-09-28

 

 

 

 

 

That iron relic appeared to be a danger to the public. 

Authorities have now referred the matter to the Underwater Archaeology Division of the Fine Arts Department

 

🤣🤣🤣

So garbage is now a tourist attraction 🙄🙈

On 9/28/2025 at 4:50 AM, Georgealbert said:

Local people said the structure was part of the community’s heritage, attracting both residents and tourists.

Delusional

On 9/28/2025 at 4:50 AM, Georgealbert said:

 

Pictures courtesy of Khaosod 

 

Residents in Koh Samui have voiced anger after a private operator used heavy machinery to dig up a historic iron relic long regarded as a local landmark. The incident took place on 26 September 2025 at Ban Tai public beach in Mae Nam, where the relic, believed to be decades old, had been embedded in the sand for generations. Local people said the structure was part of the community’s heritage, attracting both residents and tourists.

 

Officials from the Internal Security Operations Command Region 4, Samui Marine Department office and members of the Samui municipal council met with more than 30 residents who demanded accountability. The relic, described as a cone-shaped iron structure with a base diameter of three metres and a thickness of about two centimetres, had been corroded by seawater and buried in sand along the shoreline. After being unearthed, it was moved onto nearby wave-breaking rocks, while scattered fragments remained in the surrounding area.

 

For decades, the iron relic had served as a local attraction, drawing visitors to photograph and speculate about its origins. Community members suggested it might be part of a warship from World War I, a ship mast, or even a boiler funnel from a steamship. Locals expressed frustration that the removal was carried out without consultation, particularly as the relic was not located on private land but on public shoreline.

 

One resident, Ms Sucha, said proper procedures should have been followed by consulting the community or maritime authorities before taking action. Provincial governance committee member Mr Narob Thuaycharoen added that the relic had been part of the beach landscape for generations, with its origins never fully explained by elders who had also grown up seeing it. He criticised the unauthorised excavation as reckless and disrespectful to the community.

 

Samui marine transport officials clarified that the relic was not officially registered as a heritage item and therefore not under their jurisdiction. They explained that unless excavation involved dredging or construction in waterways, it would not fall under the Marine Department’s remit. However, they confirmed that if any laws were broken, legal proceedings would follow.

 

Authorities have now referred the matter to the Underwater Archaeology Division of the Fine Arts Department. Experts will investigate whether the relic is linked to Thailand’s maritime history, possibly dating back to the reigns of King Rama V–VI (1897–1917), when steamship navigation became widespread for both government and commerce. A formal examination is expected to determine the relic’s historical significance and guide any protective measures.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• A private operator excavated a historic iron relic on Ban Tai beach, angering Samui residents.

• The cone-shaped iron object, thought to be decades of years old, had been a local landmark and tourist attraction.

• Authorities have referred the case to the Fine Arts Department for underwater archaeology experts to investigate.

 

Related Stories

 

Thailand-registers-Mae-Moh-as-27th-fossil-heritage-site

 

Dinosaur-discovery-fuels-Khon-Kaen’s-unesco-ambitions

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-09-28

 

 

 

 

 

I live on samui, I’m not angered at all, looks like a dangerous rusty piece of rubbish, a clean beach is better!

Is that the remains of Thailand's previous submarine 

Attracting what?  This is a Piece of scrap