KOH SAMUI — Rescue workers discovered the bodies of two Myanmar construction workers – Aung Ko Ko, 19, and Moe Set, 39 – at a villa construction site on Koh Samui island Sunday afternoon. The victims were found 10 meters from where a landslide struck their workers’ camp in the early morning hours along Himatong Soi, Moo 1, Maret sub-district.
More than 20 fellow Myanmar workers gathered to mourn their colleagues’ deaths.
According to witnesses, two successive landslides hit the camp – the first at 4:30 a.m. and a second, more devastating slide at 5:40 a.m. that buried three dormitory rooms where workers were sleeping.
Construction work at the hillside site has been temporarily suspended due to heavy rainfall and saturated soil conditions, raising concerns about additional landslides. Authorities must inspect the area before work can safely resume.
The tragedy comes just one day after the Department of Mineral Resources issued a landslide warning on December 14 for specific sub-districts in Koh Samui. The warning specifically highlighted risks to buildings on steep slopes and hillsides, urging special vigilance during periods of continuous heavy rain.
Koh Samui’s mountainous areas and hillsides are popular locations for vacation homes, resorts, and hotels, attracting both foreign and Thai investors. However, some developments have faced legal challenges over unauthorized construction, forest encroachment, illegal land documentation, and operating without proper permits.
Several cases have already resulted in investigations and legal action by government authorities.
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