Murky waters: Shady investors dive into Koh Chang land grab

Fresh fears are bubbling up in Koh Chang, Trat province, as sneaky investors with murky ties have started to snap up land. Chaiwat Limlikhit-aksorn, National Parks Office Director, raised the red flag on these shady dealings.

“Private investors are buying swathes of land from locals, and we suspect sinister connections behind these transactions. The government and local officials need to keep a close watch on these activities.”

Big corporations are muscling in, leaving small local businesses struggling to survive, said Chaiwat, pointing out the worrying erosion of the island’s traditional economy.

“Local consumers are being lured by the modern conveniences and services from these big firms.

In a bid to fend off land grabbers in protected national parks, local government officials are turning to high-tech solutions. Chaiwat revealed that modern technology and satellite imagery are being deployed to monitor and deter illegal activities.

Koh Chang, with its lush rainforests and majestic mountains, stands out as a self-sufficient oasis, providing fresh water for its residents—unlike other islands that depend on external supplies, said Chaiwat.

“Local communities and agencies must join forces to safeguard the forests and natural environment, ensuring sustainable water resources.”

As development and tourism boom on the island, Chaiwat stressed the importance of preserving cultural uniqueness and local identity to keep Koh Chang appealing to tourists.

On the topic of jet-skiing in Koh Chang National Marine Park, Chaiwat clarified that the park, which covers 52 islands and spans 650 square kilometres, is primarily a conservation area with restricted tourism activities, reported Bangkok Post.

“Koh Chang is the largest island within this marine park. We have to consider where jet-skiing takes place — on private property or the national park’s areas. If people jet-ski in public reservoirs, they could be in trouble. But generally, jet-skiing is part of tourism activities.

“We must retain our local identity.”

Koh Chang, named Elephant Island due to its elephant-like shape, is Thailand’s third largest island after Phuket and Samui. It is located about 300km east of Bangkok, in the Gulf of Thailand.