For many international house hunters, Koh Samui is the most beautiful of all Thailand’s renowned islands. Set in the Gulf of Thailand, just an hour’s flight from Bangkok, with direct flights from Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong and Singapore, Koh Samui is easily accessible, yet firmly maintains its away-from-it-all charm.
Famous and widely known internationally, Koh Samui has emerged on the global hotlist as one of Asia’s most sought after holiday home destinations, with its fine combination of sophisticated, modern amenities alongside untouched, idyllic nature and the laid-back island atmosphere.
The tropical jewel offers a vast array of natural attractions with beautiful beaches, crystal-clear waters, amazing marine life with spectacular diving and wonderful snorkelling, plus pristine waterfalls and fascinating jungle treks. Koh Samui also offers a modern infrastructure that is regularly improving, as well as luxury hotels and resorts, excellent spas, great dining, vibrant nightlife, peaceful golf courses, and good international schools.
For real estate buyers, purchasing a property in Koh Samui is a lifestyle investment. It opens the door to Thailand and Samui’s acclaimed lifestyle and environment. It can also be considered a good investment, with the market on the rise and solid economic fundamentals in place.
Attracted by that desirable tropical lifestyle, British and Hong Kong expats represent the largest number of property buyers, followed by many Scandinavian, Continental European, Australian and American investors. Recently, there have been more buyers from Russia, China, South Korea and the Middle East. Many investors from nearby Asian countries see Koh Samui as the perfect weekend getaway.
With the decision by Thailand’s Civil Aviation Department last year to increase the flight capacity of Samui Airport from 36 to 50 flights per day, analysts believe local and international investors will be looking at Koh Samui as a hot resort destination. This should boost buying throughout the island’s property market.
Developed into a distinctly high-end boutique location for discerning investors, Koh Samui has a wide range of properties available for sale in the premium category, properties that are still considered good value when compared to many other leading resort destinations.
Koh Samui real estate is an excellent opportunity to pick up a luxury property investment and indications are there will be excellent potential for rental income, too. It can only get better, with plans afoot to make significant infrastructure investment aimed specifically at adding to the island’s allure as a holiday home and second-home location.
The market is varied: lower-end property prices are driven by buyers in search of investment returns; mid-market properties are of primary interest to those in search of a retirement spot or second home; and at the top end of the market, the ultra-high net worth individuals with multiple homes are looking to add to their international portfolios.
Epitomising natural beauty and quaint island life, Koh Samui has become one of Southeast Asia’s most prominent tropical real estate markets in recent years. Koh Samui property makes the perfect holiday paradise for those who appreciate the good life.
