Authorities on the tourist island of Koh Samui are trying again to get 11 illegally built luxury villas demolished after their first attempt to do so earlier this week failed.

Demolition work at the Ariya Residence project was set to begin on Monday but authorities could not proceed as the project owner sent a lawyer to protest.

The process resumed on Wednesday after Surat Thani's deputy governor ordered Koh Samui's mayor to have the buildings razed.

Officials arrived there to find the 11 villas occupied. 

Officials reported the obstruction on Monday to local police.

A demolition notice was posted on the property and legal action would be taken against those who fail to comply. The municipality would hire a contractor to do the demolition work estimated to cost 11 million baht.

Meanwhile, a lawyer representing the project owner has filed a complaint with police against the officials for alleged trespassing.

The project, with 34 luxury villas, is operated by BS 2 Brothers Co.

A complaint about illegal construction was lodged in 2019. An investigation found that 11 villas had been built but did not match the approved design.

They were ordered demolished, but the project owner did not comply.