Summary:

The island of Koh Samui is Thailand’s third largest tropical island, situated in the safe and scenic Gulf of Siam.

The island is going through a huge growth period at the present, both in its tourism and infrastructure, and alongside this the land the property market is booming.

The market is sophisticated and popular enough to be profitable from a rental/holiday point of view, but still  ‘up and coming’ in the fact that it can grow further.

The Island itself – what’s there at the moment?

It is a charming place, with the usual blend of Thai culture, food, architecture, scenery, tourism and interest. The crime rate is low (as in most of Thailand), the beaches and countryside is beautiful – a real tropical paradise, and there is plenty to do.

The hotels range in quality but there are many 4 and 5 star resorts and spas. Many are on the beachfront, where there are white sands and facilities to suit every taste and budget.

Activities include:

The island has a lot of tourism, with interests including; Diving and snorkelling both on the coasts of the island itself and on nearby islands including a marine park that is outstanding. There are Wats and temples, plenty of History and culture to visit, and traditions that are still part of everyday life for the Thais.

Indeed, this ‘Buddhist way/culture’, is one reason why the island is so charming; it is relaxed, the pace is productive but calm, there is little conflict and people are friendly and polite.

The Thais are very hospitable people generally, they welcome tourism and foreigners and the feeling you have here is perhaps second to none anywhere in the world.

There are many nature sites including Rock formations, Waterfalls, hills and forests and of course the lovely beaches. Thailand has a good reputation for looking after its natural beauty and culture and this will secure its future in tourism.

There are animal parks (monkeys, crocodiles etc) Jungle trekking, an excellent golf course/resort, water sports, adventure/extreme sports, Thai boxing, gyms and many shops. The shopping includes international brands (another good indicator of an up and coming place) and local goods and crafts.

There are many spas and this is another huge attraction to the island; Thai massage and therapies are everywhere and such good value.

Infact ‘value’ is the key word here; the food, transport, hotels, goods, activities and social scene is superb value. The pound goes a long way, for example, a three-course meal sat on the beach in a high-class resort with superb service and food (fresh fish etc) costs approx £7 per person. Normal meals in other locations cost less, fried rice and seafood costing about £1 and a fresh coconut to drink about 20p. Taxis are cheap – going from one side of the island to the other for £2.

There is plenty of nightlife for those who want that; from proper clubs to the many bars. There are ‘go go bars’ (bars with Thai women dancing and socialising) but these are of course only there for those who want that and not damaging to the overall charm of the island.

The future:

There are plans to build an International airport on the island, further improve the roads and infrastructure, build more hotels and tourist sites, and look after the landscape and charm that exists and attract more people to visit.

Property and Land:

In Thailand you can’t actually own freehold land as such (as a foreign national) but there is a legal clear way to get around this and many many people have been doing this for years now. You can own a condominium out right and also lease land and the properties we have available cover all these options.

To own property in land in Thailand

There are three major avenues available to prospective foreign buyers, which are listed below. Under Thai law foreigners are not permitted to own a freehold property in Thailand. However, as more and more foreigners are investing in Thailand, the process has become easier and more legally secure.

1. 30 year renewable lease - Foreigners can own leasehold on a property for up to 30 years. This lease is guaranteed in Thai law, and can be renewed, with the options written into the original lease contract and registered with the Land Office. This lease can be renewed any number of times. Registered Leaseholds are safe, uncomplicated and easy to set up.

2. Thai Registered Company - A registered limited company with Thai / Foreign ownership can buy a freehold on a property. This is a means of securing ownership often favoured by foreigners, and is becoming increasingly popular, particularly for those who wish to establish commercial ventures here. The Land Code of Thailand along with the Foreign Business Act (FBA) does not prohibit foreign control (voting and management) of a Thai majority owned company. There are legal ways within the Thai Company structure that will allow a foreigner to exercise sole control over the company and their investment. These include creating different classes of shares along with different voting and director appointment rights. As it is the company, which buys the freehold, you have total and legal control of the property purchased.

3. 50 year non - renewable lease - This is a 50-year lease, guaranteed in Thai law, which can be renewed once. This lease is for the purpose of carrying on only for the business of commerce or industry.

BUYING THE PROPERTY

All land purchases in Thailand must be completed at the local land department office and we recommend that the transfer be witnessed in the presence of an officially appointed notary or lawyer. The standard contracts are written in Thai language, however translations can be arranged.

The options:

Like with any property purchase, the reasons for buying are important. What do you want it for; to live permanently, use as a holiday home, investment, or income. We have property and land to suit all requirements and budgets, from land just to buy and hold, to resorts with income and major capital growth.

Contact us with your requirements and we will find some options to suit