What reads like the script of a high-stakes real estate thriller has landed a group of Phuket buyers in a very real, very costly nightmare. Dozens of Thai and foreign purchasers say they were sold the dream of luxury pool villas — only to find unfinished shells, disappearing developers and a tangled web of politics and power that’s stalled any hope of swift justice. Collectively, the victims estimate losses in excess of 100 million baht.
The story centers on an agent named Chaiwat, who presented himself as the man behind property firms called Alicha Grand and Alisha Property. He convinced buyers that he owned the land for a high-end villa project in Phuket. Lured by glossy brochures, staged promo photos (reportedly featuring foreign models) and promises of resort-style living, many signed contracts for villas priced between 15 and 20 million baht.
But the villas never reached completion. Buyers paid deposits — in some cases the full purchase price — and then discovered a chilling truth: the land didn’t belong to Chaiwat at all. Instead, it’s reportedly tied to a senior local politician, a heavyweight in a major party. That revelation has left victims worried the case will be swept under the carpet or slowed to a crawl, thanks to the politician’s influence.
Among those affected is Sariya, a Thai woman expecting her first child with her Canadian husband. The couple trusted Chaiwat’s claim that the development sat on a 25,600-square-metre plot he owned. They handed over a 3.3-million-baht deposit on a 15-million-baht villa, convinced it would be the family home they’d raise their child in. Today the villa is incomplete, the nursery plans on hold and the couple’s future uncertain.
Then there’s 84-year-old Phuangphen, who returned to Thailand from the United States having paid more than 20 million baht in full for a dream home she intended to share with her daughter. She discovered the construction hadn’t even reached the halfway point and now faces the bitter prospect of losing her life savings to an unfinished promise.
Thongchai Thongcharan and more than ten other buyers have added their voices to the chorus of complaints. Thongchai himself paid 15 million baht for a house that never materialized. When he demanded answers, the agent refused to meet and eventually cut off all communication — an eerie echo of classic fraud tales where contact disappears right after the money changes hands.
Frustration mounted as victims filed complaints at Thalang Police Station, only to see little movement on their cases. That’s when a delegation from Phuket decided to take their plea straight to Nonthaburi, arriving on Monday, December 1, to seek assistance from the Foundation for Justice Restoration. The foundation is led by lawyer Ronnarong Kaewphet, who told the group the situation appears to amount to public fraud.
Lawyer Ronnarong is preparing to escalate the matter to ensure it receives the scrutiny it deserves. He plans to support the victims in filing complaints at Government House and the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) — a move aimed at cutting through any local gridlock and bringing national-level investigators into the fold. The victims hope a higher-profile probe will prevent the case from fading away and compel authorities to act decisively.
The allegations raise several familiar red flags for property buyers in Thailand and beyond: persuasive marketing that leverages attractive visuals (including apparently staged photos with foreign models), a seller who claims land ownership without transparent documentation, and political connections that may chill investigative momentum. For prospective buyers, the episode is a sobering reminder to demand clear land title deeds, independent legal advice and verified developer credentials before parting with significant sums.
For now, the buyers are left in limbo — houses that were supposed to be homes, deposits that might never be recovered, and plans put on hold or ruined. The human toll is stark: a pregnant couple waiting for a safe place to raise their child, an elderly woman robbed of the home she envisioned in her retirement, and families across Phuket whose investments are tied up in a property that never materialized.
Authorities have yet to announce major breakthroughs, and Chaiwat has publicly denied responsibility, then severed contact with the buyers. Whether the involvement of a prominent politician will shield the land and the alleged scheme from scrutiny remains the painful question driving the victims to pursue higher-level legal action. If the CIB or Government House takes up the case, it could be the turning point they’re desperately seeking.
Until then, the story of the Phuket villa scam joins a long roster of property disputes that underscore the risks of buying into developments without rigorous checks. The victims’ journey to Nonthaburi and their appeal to the Foundation for Justice Restoration signals they’re not giving up — and they’re demanding their day in court. If nothing else, their voices may help shine a brighter spotlight on practices that can devastate families and savings when the glossy brochure turns out to be smoke and mirrors.
Buyers and investors should watch this story closely. It’s a case study in why due diligence, verified ownership records and legal safeguards are essential before signing on the dotted line — particularly in markets where politics and property intersect in complicated, and sometimes dangerous, ways.
This reads like straight-up theft organized like a business. How is someone allowed to sell land they don’t own and just vanish? The politicians involved need to be investigated publicly, not quietly shuffled away.
I agree, Joe, but remember how slow Thai real estate cases can be when money and power mix. Even so, victims deserve faster action and media pressure could help.
Media pressure helps only until the cameras leave. Then the case collects dust unless national authorities step in.
Exactly, grower134 — that’s why the victims going to the CIB and Government House is the right move. Local police simply haven’t moved this fast enough.
My heart goes out to Sariya and the others, especially with a baby on the way. This is a reminder why contracts and deeds must be checked by a lawyer before paying big sums. But why were staged photos allowed to sway so many people?
As one of the victims, I can say we trusted the glossy brochure and the agent’s confidence. We asked for papers but his explanations seemed convincing at the time, and we felt rushed.
Staged marketing isn’t illegal by itself, but misrepresentation of title deeds and ownership is. If the land is tied to a politician, escalation to the CIB is necessary to avoid local influence.
Thank you for the clarification, LawyerRon. I hope the Foundation for Justice Restoration can keep momentum and protect these families.
People really need to stop buying into brochures. That said, scammers prey on trust and greed — both sides fail here. I hope the elderly get their money back.
Not just greed — asymmetry of information. Foreign buyers often don’t understand land laws in Thailand and rely on agents they barely vet.
True, ThaiObserver. Education and transparency would cut these scams down a lot.
I never expected to be part of a headline. We planned our family life around that house and now everything is uncertain. I joined the trip to Nonthaburi because staying silent felt worse than fighting.
You did the right thing by speaking up, Sariya. Public stories can force action and create allies.
Cases like Phuangphen’s are heartbreaking; pensioners lose safety nets. There should be stronger protections for elderly buyers who hand over life savings.
Thank you. Hearing people demand better rules gives us hope, but we also need quick remedies so lives aren’t ruined in the meantime.
This incident demonstrates structural weaknesses in property governance and client protection. Regulatory reform is needed: mandatory escrow accounts, verified title certification, and criminal penalties for false land claims. Comparative legal frameworks from other jurisdictions could inform Thai reform.
Can those reforms realistically pass if politicians benefit from the current ambiguity? The conflict of interest problem seems huge.
Legislative capture is indeed a barrier, Jane, but civil society pressure, international investor concerns, and targeted judicial reforms can create change incrementally.
Local watchdogs and national bureaus need resources. Otherwise this pattern repeats: small victims lose, big names stay safe.
Sounds like a classic cover-up: claim, collect, and cut contact when the money clears. Why don’t authorities freeze assets faster in these cases? Speed matters.
Speed is limited by evidence collection and jurisdiction. If land is registered to someone else, prosecutors need airtight proof of fraud before seizing property, but I do wish processes were quicker for victims.
So bureaucracy helps criminals. Great.
I returned from the US to retire here and thought I had secured my home. Now I stare at unfinished walls and empty rooms. I never imagined my life savings could disappear like that.
This is so unjust. The state should prioritize elderly victims and offer emergency legal aid or temporary relief while investigations proceed.
I appreciate the kind words. I joined the complaint only because I have no other option left.
From a legal standpoint, the key evidence will be payment records, contract terms, title deeds, and any communications proving misrepresentation. Victims should preserve everything and appoint a trusted legal team to petition for urgent injunctions. Public-interest litigation could also apply here.
Legal teams cost money. Who funds a complex fight against a well-connected politician? Many victims can’t afford prolonged suits.
Crowdfunding, pro bono representation, and organizations like the Foundation for Justice Restoration can mitigate costs. Strategic public cases can also attract support.
I’ve seen crowdfunding work for one property case. It helps for publicity and legal fees, but it doesn’t always secure restitution.
Those staged photos with foreign models are so manipulative. It’s marketing designed to sell a fantasy, not a legal asset. Regulators should require clear disclaimers on promotional materials.
As someone who works in advertising, I can say staged imagery is ubiquitous. The law rarely touches it unless there’s explicit false claims about ownership or approvals.
Then we need laws that link marketing to verifiable claims — maybe a mandatory ‘verified title’ badge for property adverts.
I paid 15 million and got silence. The agent first ignored my messages and then stopped answering entirely. It’s infuriating that people can vanish with someone else’s dreams.
This is also a human rights issue — access to justice and protection from economic harm. International conventions won’t fix it alone, but they can pressure local systems.
We need visibility. I’m considering sharing more documentation publicly to force authorities to act.
Be careful sharing sensitive docs online, Thongchai. That can backfire legally. Consult your lawyer first.
Scam artists prey on hope. Simple as that.
As the lawyer helping coordinate complaints, I can confirm the file suggests systematic public fraud. We’re preparing to escalate the matter nationally to ensure impartial investigation and to request asset freezes where possible. Victims should compile all documents and contact my office if they need assistance.
Thank you for stepping in, Ronnarong. Will your office push for immediate measures to prevent asset transfers related to this land?
Yes, Citizen101. We’re seeking urgent orders and will petition the CIB and Government House to intervene quickly to stop any further dissipation of assets.
The CIB historically acts when cases have political weight or strong media attention. Keep pressure on both fronts and document any obstruction.