Minister Orders Probe into Koh Phangan Luxury Villa Construction
Thailand's Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchat Chomklin has ordered an urgent investigation into luxury villa construction on Koh Phangan following complaints of hillside excavation and noise pollution. A multi-agency team inspected two sites, finding ongoing construction with land titles and building permits that require further verification. Authorities will determine if the projects violate environmental or building regulations and take legal action if necessary.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchat Chomklin disclosed that following information circulated on social media regarding complaints about the construction of vacation villas on Koh Phangan, Surat Thani province, involving excavation of rocks and mountains causing continuous loud noise disturbing locals, he ordered the Forestry Department to urgently verify the facts and report progress promptly to ensure proceedings are careful, transparent, and in accordance with relevant laws.
On October 20, 2026, Minister Suchat assigned Forestry Department Director-General Nikorn Sirojananan to direct the Office of Forest Resource Management 11 (Surat Thani) to deploy officials from Forest Protection Unit 16 (Koh Samui), Koh Phangan District Task Force, integrating with Koh Phangan District Administration, District Clerk, Village Defense Volunteers, Kamnan, Village Headmen, and Phet Phangan Subdistrict Municipality to inspect two complaint sites. Preliminary details are as follows:
Site 1: Village 5, Koh Phangan Subdistrict, Koh Phangan District, Surat Thani Province. Officials found an area under construction of six single-story residential villas, with a swimming pool being excavated in the center and traces of rock drilling. Preliminary document checks show the land has a title deed (No. 7044, Volume 71, Page 44, Land Parcel 83, Survey Page 5493, area 4 rai 2 ngan 12 sq. wa) in Koh Phangan Subdistrict, owned by Prasert Sukpon. There is also a building permit (No. 27/2026) listing Intertone Co., Ltd. as the permit holder. Details and status of this permit require further verification with relevant agencies.
Site 2: Village 8, Koh Phangan Subdistrict, Koh Phangan District, Surat Thani Province. Officials found four completed two-story residential villas with traces of chisel or rock drilling tools, and rocks used to build retaining walls. Officials will gather additional information and inspect operational details for further consideration under the authority of relevant agencies.
Minister Suchat added that preliminary inspection reports indicate both sites have land rights documents. He instructed the Kamnan of Koh Phangan Subdistrict to coordinate with involved parties to present evidence to officials, and directed relevant agencies to collect and thoroughly verify land rights, building permits, and related documents, coordinating with directly authorized agencies to examine whether construction and rock excavation comply with permit conditions and laws. If violations are found, strict legal action will be taken, with further progress reports to follow.
The Minister of Natural Resources and Environment emphasized that the ministry places importance on...
