Buying Land

[Rooo]

Sometime ago ,there was a press article about land zoning on Samui.In this article it was mentioned that there was a moratorium on land rezoning( mountain land) .This was instigated by Bangkok's concern over the misuse of land designated for farming ( tubo 5 )& sensitive green areas being eroded.

In a move to limit damage to the mountain side ,new permanent regulations are now being instigated, to come into effect later this year or next year,in line with Phuket & some other parts of the Kingdom,to limit building on the escarpment & mountain side to a certain height up the mountain.

So if you are contemplating purchasing land,advisable to check with the relevant authorities about obtaining building permits.

In other words make sure that the land you are buying now with Chanote title, can be built on at a later stage.Of what I understand no matter what the title is, the height limit will come into force .

Edited April 11, 2006 by Rooo

[LaoPo]

Sometime ago ,there was a press article about land zoning on Samui.In this article it was mentioned that there was a moratorium on land rezoning( mountain land) .This was instigated by Bangkok's concern over the misuse of land designated for farming ( tubo 5 )& sensitive green areas being eroded.

In a move to limit damage to the mountain side ,new permanent regulations are now being instigated, to come into effect later this year or next year,in line with Phuket & some other parts of the Kingdom,to limit building on the escarpment & mountain side to a certain height up the mountain.

So if you are contemplating purchasing land,advisable to check with the relevant authorities about obtaining building permits.

In other words make sure that the land you are buying now with Chanote title, can be built on at a later stage.Of what I understand no matter what the title is, the height limit will come into force .

Isn't the height limit 80 meters in Phuket as well?

Good thing they're doing something about the land-zoning.

LaoPo

[churchill]

I think strict regulations for building would be very welcome , but Samui is mostly mountainous so the 80 metre rule should only be enforced outside cetain zones , imho . Maybe 80 metres in all areas , but say 100 metres around Nathon , Menham ,Chaweng and Lamai ?. what about people who have bought in good faith to build in the future . Santi Thani comes to mind - This is one of the oldest developments on Samui and I imagine with many parts over 80 Metres . Thailand and Samui needs investment and many people have spent a lot of money for their place in paradise when they retire .

What image would this create for future investors if they think that legislation may be backdated so that their initial investment bought in good faith turns out to be worthless ?

[tjo o tjim]

I think you need to protect the island before the investors, which is going to hurt some people.

In the long run, the property will lose value for investors if development continues at the current rate.

Coming by boat from KPN, all the cut hillsides look pretty sickly, and something has to be done if the beauty and whatever sustainability is left.

[Sir Burr]

The limit in Phuket is indeed 80 mtrs presently, though this law is going to be reviewed.

The trouble with the 80 mtr building limit height is that Thai land owners who have land above this height have very limited options on usage.

Unfortunately, many are digging away the hills and selling the earth as fill.

Sometimes legislation that was meant to protect the hills are having the opposite effect.