Samui's Real Estate Draws Global Attention Amidst Phuket Boom

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Picture courtesy: Wikipedia

 

Interest in Koh Samui’s property market is climbing as American and European buyers, deterred by rising prices in Phuket, seek more affordable alternatives. This shift has been partially caused by Russian and Chinese demand driving up villa costs in Phuket.

 

Phattarachai Taweewong of Colliers Thailand notes a marked increase in inquiries about Koh Samui villas. He attributes this trend to attractive pricing on the island, with villas costing about a third of similar properties in Phuket. The most sought-after areas on Samui include Choeng Mon and Lamai beaches, where land prices hover around 10 million Baht per rai (equivalent to about 305,000 USD).

 

With a budget of 30-50 million Baht (roughly 915,000 to 1.5 million USD), buyers can secure a sea-view villa on Koh Samui with a spacious 400-square-metre living area on plots of 200 square wah. Conversely, this budget would only afford a non-sea-view villa in Phuket, typically offering 150-200 square metres on smaller 100-square-wah plots.

 

Despite its appeal, Koh Samui faces a supply crunch. Over recent years, only five villa projects, comprising fewer than 100 units in total, have been introduced and sold out within a year. The limited supply is affected by land title deed issues, even as demand persists.

Developers see potential; Phuket-based Supalai is planning a single-detached house project, while local Baansuay Group considers villa development in Koh Samui. Investors are also keen on acquiring Samui hotels, following the island's increased visibility from popular media such as The White Lotus series, which has buoyed hotel rates.

 

Condos present another investment opportunity, particularly low-rise models, with limited supply and affordable prices ranging between 50,000 and 70,000 Baht per square metre (about 1,500 to 2,130 USD).

 

Koh Samui is becoming increasingly attractive while Bangkok’s property market shows signs of cooling. Nevertheless, demand in Phuket remains strong, notably from Russian, Chinese, American, Australian, French, and Middle Eastern buyers. This interest has led to unprecedented peaks in both condo and villa supplies.

 

In 2024, Phuket saw new launches reaching over 14,700 condo units and nearly 2,000 villas, marking a significant growth from the previous year. Such developments highlight the dynamic shifts within Thailand's property landscape, with Koh Samui emerging as a vibrant competitor to Phuket’s heated market, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2025-02-19

 

 

[Tropicalevo]

This was true back in the early 2000's when I started building.

The guy who built my second house was an established builder from Phuket.

He could not believe how cheap the land here was compared to Phuket so he moved here full time.

He finished my second house OK, but did a runner on the third (and last) one.

Wife #3 found out about wife #2 and they were both taking him to the cleaners.

[rumeaug]

How to eff-up a  place  101

[Dogmatix]

Time to come and confiscate all these villas illegally owned by foreigners and auction off cheap to Thais to rent them out to the original owners.  I remember the 2006 coup government said they would confiscate all the foreign owned resort land but they didn't stay in office long enough.  Maybe one day it will happen.

[Tropicalevo]

11 hours ago, Dogmatix said:

I remember the 2006 coup government said they would confiscate all the foreign owned resort land but they didn't stay in office long enough. 

They were in office for 14 years but things do move slowly here in Thailand.