Local regulations:

For individual villas.

We advise to get the local regulations for your plot from your Real Estate agent, and get all regulations included in the due diligence document you will get from your lawyer before buying your land.

There are ‘main’ laws on Samui and Koh Phangan related to the altitude of the land above the sea level,

From 0-80 M over sea level not more than 12 m high building are allowed footprint 50 % of land, but some more restrictions close to a beach. Plot size minimum 400m2. Buildings cannot exceed 2000 m2

On beach lands between 0 and 10 M from the waterline only terrasses and pools not exceeding 120 cm high can be built. From 10-50 m from the waterline 6 M high building with only 1 level are allowed the footprint cannot exceed 75 m2 and 4 M should separate each building.

From over 50 M from the waterline regulations are the same as for 0-80 M over sea-level.

From 80- 140 M over the sea level not more than 6 M high buildings are allowed footprint 50 % of land

Over 140 m over the sea level not more than 6 M high buildings are allowed, and a foot print of 90 m2 per building and 4 m between each building. Restrictions for footprint and green areas on the land.

These are the main regulations for building here, but every case is different, and each project has to be discussed with the authorities in the ‘Land Office’ and ‘Tessaban’ to get smooth handling of the submission of the building permit.

Slopes:

The slope of the land is important, the documents you should ask in your due diligence have to indicate the slope of the land.

From 0 to 35 % of slope there are no restrictions and building is easy, between 35 and 50 % building is possible, but with restrictions, with a slope over 50% building is prohibited.

On your documents if the slopes are between 35 and 50 % there will be a yellow zone on the map of your land, and if the slope is over 50% there will be a red zone on your land. 

The official maps do some times not represent the reality, and it happens that the slope indicated on the maps are not reel and the land can be requalified after an official demand.

Again, every case is different and can have a solution.