They must be quite well off if they can afford that weekly rent in Phuket. It seems quite a waste of money. Buying off plan is a huge risk in Thailand given so many dodgy developers. What about schools for her son? Health insurance? The new tax rules? It doesn't seem that it will be much cheaper than Aus, based on the lifestyle they want. If she bought a house in Australia her son could fully inherit. In Thailand he will be left with a house worth next to nothing because of the short lease (by then), and the fact that old properties don't fare well in the Thai market. It's the land that's worth the money. I hope it all works out for them but wish people were better advised before making the move.