Another item for my "I Don't Get It" list

[Gaybutton]

The following article in itself is not what makes it to my "I Don't Get It" list, but the number of times there has been similar stories is what makes it. People, companies, corporations, or whatever invest a great deal of money building these "resorts" that encroach on government land and end up being ordered to dismantle them.

This brings to mind a few questions:

1. Don't these investors have attorneys to check in advance whether it will be legal?
2. Don't they get the land surveyed in advance to make sure?
3. Are influential people being paid off to try to make sure there won't be any problems - and then problems happen anyway?
4. Doesn't anyone in authority ever happen to notice the illegal construction going on? Why do we see these kinds of stories mostly after these places have already been built.

This very same type of thing has happened time and time again. Then the owners, after investing huge amounts of money, are ordered to take these down. Next question: Do they take them down? I see articles saying they were ordered to take them down, but do these people obey the orders? Do they ignore the orders? Do they pay off people in authority to look the other way?

What about safety? If these "resorts" are built illegally, then why bother with proper safety precautions? It wasn't a resort, but isn't that exactly what happened with that terrible pub fire in Rayong? As far as I know, the authorities who did get paid off to look the other way never had much of anything happen to them. The owners who promised to compensate the victims - I have yet to see an article saying they have parted with a single baht. Meanwhile the burn victims have had their lives ruined, endured unimaginable suffering, and they're the ones stuck with enormous hospital bills they can't possibly pay.

If there is a rational explanation for these "resort" incidents, beats hell out of me what it could be. But 30 days from now, if dismantling has even begun, I will be surprised. I can't help the feeling it's business as usual and hasn't even slowed down yet.

And, of course, I can't help but wonder how many of these illegal "resorts" are in full operation and nothing has been done about them.
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Navy orders Sattahip luxury resort on state land dismantled within 30 days

By Pattaya Mail

March 15, 2023

The Royal Thai navy ordered a luxury resort on a hilltop overlooking the sea in Chonburi to stop operation and to be demolished after an inspection found it encroached on the state land under the care of the navy and was illegally built.

The navy’s inspection came after complaints that six pool villas, promoted on social media encroached the state in Sattahip district.

Vice Admiral Suthin Laicharoen, commander of the Sattahip naval base on Tuesday sent an official letter to the local authorities, asking for cooperation to oversee the demolition of the luxury resort in Samae San sub-district.

According to the investigation, the resort owner, Ms. Rommanee Joe sought permission to rent the state land for housing and agricultural purposes but the permission has never been approved.

The construction of the structures on the site violates the law, so the navy ordered her to dismantle all structures and vacate the land within 30 days.

The resort is located on about 11 rai (about 4.4 acres) of land on a hilltop, quoting room rates for 15,000-18,000 baht per night. It features six modified cargo containers, each with a swimming pool and many amenities.

Samae San land is reserved under the law in accordance with the royal command of King Rama VI. The land is under the care of the Sattahip naval base.

Its land title deeds cannot be issued to individuals and legal land occupation is banned for residents.

Story and photos: https://www.pattayamail.com/news/navy-o ... ays-426862

[Jun]

I don't get it either. But this hypothesis sounds the most likely:

3. Are influential people being paid off to try to make sure there won't be any problems - and then problems happen anyway?

Bribes are unlikely to be backed up by a legally enforceable contract, so there's not much stopping people reneging on agreements. People who accept bribes might not be the most dependable types.

[bi-top]

And then again, perhaps bribes flowed quite well during permitting and construction.

Once it was up, "resort" owner decides there is nothing anyone can do now, so stops paying bribes.

Very likely it will never be demolished. Money will change hands, with lots of "Y"'s and merit-making and you will never hear the story again.

PS: Isn't there a monstrosity sitting across from Bali Hai that was ordered demolished 5+ years ago?