Expat Life and Travel Advice in Koh Samui, Thailand

Despite being only 230km² Koh Samui (Thailand’s second largest island) is one of the world’s top holiday destinations, pulling in tourists from across the globe… so popular in fact that people often don’t want to leave! The beautiful beaches, laidback lifestyle, and plentiful amenities are just a few of the attractions that inspire people to pick up house and relocate to this idyllic island. Whether you are considering a permanent move or a holiday home, Koh Samui has plenty of exciting real estate opportunities to be snapped up.

Travel & Tourism

Attracting 1 million+ visitors annually, Koh Samui is unique in that it appeals to a large variety of tourists including young backpackers, families, couples, and high-end luxury travelers - as such the island takes on multiple personalities providing a considerable offering of accomodation, entertainment, shopping, and dining. This can prove advantageous to those wishing to move as although one area might not suit, there is bound to be a contrasting locality close by. Samui bridges island life and comfortable western living perfectly, allowing residents to benefit from the relaxed ‘barefoot’ atmosphere whilst also indulging in their expected home comforts. The island has developed considerably over the years and now boasts a full range of service amenities and facilities.

Shopping

When it comes to ease of living, the island boasts a good range of shopping facilities with Tesco, Makro, Big C, and Tops supermarkets. Frequent 7-Elevens, Family Marts, and Tesco Express make day-to-day shopping easy as well as the numerous fresh markets in each area offering reasonably priced local cuisine alongside fresh fruit, vegetables, meats, and fish. The retail market in Samui has shown considerable expansion over the last few years - most notably in the form of the recently opened Central Festival Shopping Mall showcasing a delightful mix of local crafts and entertainment beside high end shopping and dining experiences. The Central World department store stocks international brands in clothes, accessories, toiletries, and electronics. Chaweng, Bophut, and Lamai also have busy shopping high-streets; Bophut in particular boasts an eclectic mix of boutique and luxury stores, most prominently in the newly built and stylish ‘The Wharf’ shopping area.

Dining

Known internationally for its comprehensive list of fine dining experiences and involvement of top class chefs, Samui is the first stop for many foodies exploring Thailand. The island hosts a plethora of 5-star dining establishments boasting top-class wine selections, artfully created dishes and opulent surroundings. Fortunately, not all eating experiences need pull so heavily on the purse strings, Samui offers a range to suit all budgets from boutique bistros, casual dining, and an impressive selection of local Thai restaurants offering a more affordable dining experience. Koh Samui is also a forerunner in the health food market, with many businesses successfully promoting specialised dining including raw, vegan, and gluten-free options.

Nightlife

The nightlife in Samui is diverse and works hard to cover all bases and preferences. Long-standing sophisticated beach clubs like Beach Republic and Nikki Beach serve top class food and beverages in chic poolside surroundings. For a livelier scene the bustling Chaweng high street, with its all-night bars and clubs, attract flocks of young travelers every night and regularly hosts international DJs and performers. Bophut’s small cobbled streets brimming with boutique bars and beachside restaurants is the perfect retreat for laid-back, upmarket cocktail sipping. Lamai lies somewhere in between the two, appealing to both families and young people in search of a slightly less intense night out. Lipa Noi is favored for romantic getaways, offering a secluded, yet still well-catered option. Finally, displaying a delightful ramshackle charm, Nathon is a glimpse into a more authentic Thai residential experience away from the tourist route.

Families

For families moving to Koh Samui there is a wide selection of well-established nurseries and schools. International School Samui (ISS), Oonrack, Panyadee (British International School), or Lamai International School provide reliable, internationally accredited education of high standard mostly following the English National Curriculum. There are a growing range of clubs and weekend activities available around the island to keep everyone in the family busy, including sporting clubs such as: football, dance, ju jitsu, horseback riding, and also more relaxed family days out at Coco Splash or Pink Elephant amusement park.

International and Domestic Flights

Koh Samui is now easily accessible both from within and outside Thailand; flights arrive and depart direct to Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Kuala Lumpur; and there are also two ferry piers serving the mainland of Surat Thani. With this ease of access and so much to offer, Koh Samui has now become as much a place to live as it is a place to visit. It is a multi-faceted residential island with an enviable range of services and facilities to choose from, all of which come together to provide ‘Samuians’ with the perfect long-stay or permanent residence.

Real Estate Opportunities

With regard to real estate on Koh Samui, traditionally development on the island has been more abundant on the Northern and Eastern coasts mostly due to the proximity of busier towns, golf courses, and of course Samui International Airport. These areas are very lucrative in terms of rental potential, and currently the most secure in terms of resale, as most tourists and buyers are still focusing on this part of the island. However, over the past few years the west coast has seen accelerated development, including a number of luxury hotels and resorts, so would certainly present an exciting opportunity for purchasers. While buying property in a foreign country is always going to be a big jump, investors in Samui can feel secure that they are investing in a rising market with solid foundations. As property offerings continue to improve in terms of scope and quality; Samui has attracted purchasers internationally, most numerous originating from China, Russia, and the Middle East.

Virtually all investors have seen their investment increase in value — capital appreciation ranging from 15-20% annually or up to 90-100% from the launch of a project to transfer of title! The range of properties on offer has also diversified greatly; while once Thai style villas and lower-lying land was the main option, now there is an ever-growing number of western-style condominium buildings, townhouses, and luxury mountain villas. The rise in real estate has ensured that the property sector is soundly supported by professional services, such as English-speaking lawyers, reliable real estate corporations, quality construction companies, and efficient building suppliers. However, it is still important to choose carefully and consider legal requirements before making a final purchasing decision. It is highly recommended that you speak with a qualified real estate agent first if you do desire to invest in the island.

Rental Properties

Villa rental is fast becoming the preferred holiday accommodation option for a vast majority of vacationers to Koh Samui and Koh Phangan. Renting a villa as a family or group of friends can prove far more economical in the long run than hotel accommodation and can afford you the luxury and privacy you seek on a holiday without breaking the bank. For longer term lets, there is a multitude of options from private owners to agent lets ranging from basic to 6-star luxury — all you need to do is spend some time finding the right villa for your long-term living needs.

Holiday villas are generally fully-furnished and include a full western kitchen with appliances, towels, and bed linens, water and electricity, and will normally include a maid service who will come once or more a week to change linen and tidy the villa, as well as a maintenance person to take care of the gardens and pool if included. There are a host of other optional services on offer such as a private chef, babysitting, pre-arrival shopping, laundry, driver or car hire, butler, island tours, personal training, massage, and spa treatments, Thai cooking lessons… simply do your research and ask lots of questions when selecting your villa to see what is available to you during your stay on Koh Samui.

If booking your villa from outside of Thailand, it may be wise to use one of the most established and reputable real estate agents to ensure you are getting what you pay for. While it may seem cheaper to go directly through the home-owner; agencies usually have representatives in Samui and Phangan who can advocate on your behalf. That can include minor repairs or even moving you to another property if you’re not satisfied with your original choice. That’s something that the owner can’t help you with.

Prices can vary greatly depending on the location of the villa (closer to the beach means you will pay for the access and view), the size/bedroom numbers, the facilities, services, and the standard of the villa — with several levels of luxury available to choose from! There are hundreds of villas available on the islands starting from basic, mid-level, luxury, and beyond — it’s truly reliant on your budget and requirements — either way, you will not be stuck for choice. Generally, a deposit of 50% or more is required to secure the villa of your choice prior to your vacation, and the remainder to be paid in full upon arrival. This may vary from agent to agent. Read the rental agreement very carefully to make sure you understand what’s provided as well as any and all conditions, exclusions, inclusions, costs, and penalties. When you decide on the ideal holiday villa to suit your needs, you can relish in the fact that you will enjoy your privacy, space, and of course the beautiful tropical surroundings of Koh Samui and Koh Phangan. Hope you will visit soon!