KOH SAMUI — Thai authorities raided several luxury villas on Koh Samui on July 24, uncovering widespread violations of building and environmental regulations, including at a property once owned by former football star David Beckham.
The raids were part of the “Samui Model” initiative, aimed at stopping illegal construction on protected land in Surat Thani province. The task force included officials from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Forest Protection Unit, Immigration Police, and local authorities.
Investigators found multiple violations of the Hotel Act, Building Control Act, and Environmental Quality Promotion and Conservation Act. They are also probing potential breaches of the Foreign Business Act, including nominee ownership, tax evasion, and employment of undocumented workers.
Two key sites were targeted:
At the first, in Ban Tai, Maenam sub-district, six villas owned by Thai, Chinese, and Russian nationals were found to exceed the six-meter building height limit and were built on steep slopes (35–50%) between 50 to 140 meters above sea level, in defiance of approved plans.
The second site, which includes Beckham’s former villa — now owned by a French national — also violated regulations. Both villas at this location exceeded height limits and were built on slopes steeper than 50%, despite laws requiring 75% of such land to remain undeveloped.
Colonel Dusit Kasornkaew, who led the operation, said legal proceedings are underway, with evidence being compiled for criminal prosecution. Cases involving complicit officials may be forwarded to the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
The crackdown highlights growing government efforts to protect environmentally sensitive areas and curb illegal luxury developments often linked to wealthy foreign investors.
