The Russian demanded $500,000 for the villa that fell under demolition in Phuket
Thai authorities have begun demolition of 22 illegal buildings in the reserve in Phuket. Among them was almost completed villa of the Russian, who said that the seller gave the state land for private
The Russian investor demanded the return of 16 million baht (about $477,000), which, according to him, he lost when buying a plot on Fridom beach on the Thai island of Phuket. The Nation reports.
As stated by a businessman named Andrei (the name of the publication does not disclose), he was the victim of fraud — he sold state land under the guise of private property. "Behind this money are people's lives, hopes and dreams for the future," he said.
According to the investor, a vendor named Parinthorne, known as "Sia Lec from Freedom Beach," misled him about the site's status. Andrey planned to build a villa there with a swimming pool for his family. The two-storey house was almost completed, but it was included in the list of 22 objects subject to demolition.
On November 8, the Thai authorities began dismantling illegal buildings on the territory of the state forest reserve in the area of the Nak Kerd mountain range. About 500 people and heavy equipment were involved in the operation. In addition to 22 buildings, the authorities intend to demolish a concrete staircase of 78 steps leading to the beach.
Andrey thanked the Thai government for its attention to the case and called for a thorough investigation, to identify those responsible and to help the victims recover the lost money. He added that the ads placed there gave the impression that the transactions were legal. “One issue that I think deserves special attention is that the sale and lease of land around Friedom Beach has been open and continuous for many years,” he said.
According to The Nation, Parinthorne and other suspects deny allegations of fraud committed by a group of individuals and entering false information into the database.
In July, Thai police detained four Russians as part of an investigation into a scheme with luxury real estate worth more than 5 billion baht (about $153 million) in Chonburi province.
According to investigators, the suspects used Thai citizens as nominee shareholders of companies to bypass the country’s ban on foreigners owning land.
Investigators identified 19 companies that allegedly used nominee owners, and another 14 companies where the share of foreign participation, according to investigators, exceeded the legal limit for ownership of land. The 33 companies are under investigation.
Thai law prohibits foreigners from directly owning land. Foreigners can buy apartments in condominiums, but their combined share in one residential complex should not exceed 49% of the total area sold.
