24/05/2025
🌿📣 Great news for property developers and nature lovers!
From now on, any property development, resort project, or home construction on Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, or Koh Tao must follow the updated land use and environmental regulations. Let’s work together to protect the natural beauty of our islands 🌴💚
Here’s Suzy’s full summary of the new environmental zoning announcement — complete with color-coded icons, easy-to-understand breakdowns, and a link to the official PDF 📘👇
📘 Ministry of Natural Resources & Environment Announcement B.E. 2568 (2025)
Subject: Zoning and Environmental Protection Measures for Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, and Surrounding Islands
📅 Effective Date: From 22 May 2025, valid for 5 years
🔸 Legal Reference: Section 45 of the Environmental Quality Promotion and Conservation Act, B.E. 2535 (1992)
📍 Clauses 1–3: Scope of Protected Areas
✅ Revokes the 2014 and 2023 announcements
✅ Applies to:
Areas under the 1991 Building Control Royal Decree
Areas under the 2025 Fisheries Department Protection Notice
Coastal areas defined by the 2022 Ministerial Regulation
🌈 Clause 4: Divides the region into 7 Controlled Zones
✨ Zone 1: Marine Area around the islands (Light Blue)
🌳 Zone 2: Coastal Land on Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tan (Orange)
🏔️ Zone 3: Mountainous Areas (Light Green / Dark Green / Light Purple)
🌿 Zone 4: Small Islands near Samui–Phangan (Dark Purple)
🟡 Zone 5: Special Nature Islands (Yellow)
🔴 Zone 6: Strict Conservation Islands (Red)
🟢 Zone 7: Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan (Army Green / Light Blue)
🧭 Activities ❌ Prohibited or Strictly Controlled by Zone
🔵 Zone 1 – Marine Area
❌ Prohibited:
Land reclamation, oil & gas drilling ⛽
Oil transfer (except via pipelines)
Removal of natural marine rocks 🪨
Diving, jet skiing, parasailing, speedboats 🚤
Disturbing rare marine species 🐢🐠
Waste discharge into the sea 🧪
Collecting ornamental fish / giant clams (unless for breeding/research)
Anchoring in seagrass or coral zones 🪸
✅ Exception: Public sector with permits
🟠 Zone 2 – Coastal Area
❌ Prohibited:
Mining ⛏️
Blocking or reclaiming natural water sources
Modifying beach landscapes (rocks, reclamation) 🏖️
Commercial airports / full-size golf courses (driving ranges allowed)
Untreated wastewater discharge
Excavation on slopes >35% ⛰️
✅ Permitted under conditions:
Green space ≥ 50% 🌳
Access to the sea must remain open
🟢 Zone 3 – Mountainous Areas
🟢 3(1) 80–140m elevation
✅ Detached houses only, max 6m height
Open space ≥ 50%
Natural tones for buildings 🌿
Thai or tropical roof design
🟢 3(2) >140m elevation
✅ Detached houses only, max 6m height
Open space ≥ 70%
Green space ≥ 50%
Thai-style natural-color roofing 🌱
🟣 3(3) Koh Tan only, >80m
✅ Same as 3(1)
❌ No hotels or multi-unit buildings allowed
💜 Zone 4 – Small Islands (Samui–Phangan Side)
✅ Allowed with limits:
Max 6m building height
Setback ≥ 10m from shoreline
Max 75 sqm built-up area
Green space ≥ 50% 🌳
Thai-style, natural-colored roofs
❌ No oversized structures allowed
💛 Zone 5 – Special Nature Islands
❌ No construction permitted
✅ Exception: Public buildings such as:
Observation towers / small piers
Max 3m high / ≤75 sqm / ≥10m from sea
Natural-tone Thai roofs only
🔴 Zone 6 – Strict Conservation Islands
❌ No construction allowed
✅ Exception: Maritime safety structures (e.g., lighthouses) ⚓
🟩 Zone 7 – Koh Tao & Koh Nang Yuan
🟩 7(1) Land Area
✅ 8m height → detached homes only / green space ≥ 50%
Thai-style, natural-colored roofs
🔹 7(2) Marine Area
❌ Prohibited marine activities:
Jet skiing, oil transfer, drilling, diving
Harm to marine animals or sea waste
🏗️ Clauses 6–7: Construction Rules by Zone
Zone 2: Green area ≥ 50%; no beach access blockage
Zone 4: ≥10m from shore; max 75 sqm building area
Zones 5–6: Construction banned (except public sector with limitations)
Zone 7:
Low elevation → green area ≥ 5%
High elevation → green area ≥ 50%
🧱 Clauses 8–9: Commercial Buildings & Hotels
≥10 units → Must have proper wastewater treatment + grease trap ✅
11–49 units → Must follow detailed rules listed in the appendix
🧪 Clause 10: Projects Requiring IEE or EIA
IEE:
Hotels (50–79 rooms / 2,500–3,999 sqm)
Hospitals (10–59 beds)
Land Subdivision (50–99 plots / 19–99 rai)
Piers (100–999 sqm)
EIA:
Hotels ≥ 80 rooms or ≥ 4,000 sqm
Hotels within 50m of the shoreline
Roads on steep/sensitive land
Waste disposal ≥ 50 tons/day
🛠️ Clauses 11–13: Enforcement & Exceptions
Local agencies must report annually
Projects approved before 22 May 2025 → may continue but not expand or alter
Existing buildings → no demolition required, but no illegal alterations allowed
🧱 Final Provisions: During Construction
Must include fencing, dust control, noise limits (8:00–17:00)
On-site drainage and separate construction waste
Water quality monitoring (if not using tap water)
Yearly reports with photos + data comparisons
📌 Note: “Construction” includes extensions, alterations, or changes in use.
📎 Download full official announcement: Click here (PDF)https://ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/documents/70055.pdf
