Indonesia and Thailand's most comprehensive resort property magazine showcasing the largest range of luxury homes land for sale along with features on all things lifestyle and property related in the unsurpassed tropical climes of Southeast Asia.
Edition : April - June 2012
A small development of quality apartments in the south of Phuket island at an affordable price.
Once a home to fishermen and coconut plantations, in the last five years Ko Samui has grown into a major holiday destination that draws tourists and investors from all over the world in droves to indulge in all manner of tropical delights. From Thai cuisine to the multitude of water sports to the many five star hotels, luxury villas and the indulgent spa and health retreats, even a simple hammock slung between two coconut trees, the island has something for everyone.
The third largest island in Thailand, Koh Samui is just 21km at its widest point and 25km at its longest yet despite rapid development, Samui is small enough to retain its charm and the modest size also makes it a convenient, laid back location even during busy seasons. The coastline is made up of countless coconut palm-fringed beaches and bays while the hinterland consists of forested limestone hills and forests. It makes the island an eclectic blend of nature and sophistication offering visitors the chance to experience the high life while still achieving a level of true escape.
It is the beaches of Samui that the island is perhaps most renowned and each one has a character and ambience of its own. The east coast beaches of Chaweng and Lamai are busy, commercial areas with bars and restaurants and a busy nightlife. To the north, Bang Rak and Bo Phut have a more relaxed local village atmosphere while beaches like Lipa Noi and Laem Set on the western and southern shores feel much more remote and untouched and provide the perfect escape from the world.
Being Thailand, it is important to mention the food, and being an island it is only fitting that fresh seafood is a specialty at many of Samui’s restaurants. The smell of barbequing fish, prawns and lobster fill the evening air with inviting smells and thanks to the island’s strong international influence it is possible to find great quality restaurants serving cuisines from almost everywhere you could hope to imagine.
Samui’s reputation has been enhanced by the moves from the many luxury hotel groups who have set up shop on the island including The Four Seasons, IBIS, Karma Resorts and Six Senses. There are a plethora of excellent hotels and spa resorts, restaurants, and two 18-hole championship golf courses which make has advanced Koh Samui to a truly up-market holiday destination. The number of visitors from Asian countries is also increasing due to improved air links and it is possible to fly direct to Samui from Hong Kong, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
This transformation into an up-market international holiday destination is reflected in the real estate market where prices have increased dramatically, over the last few years. From an investment standpoint, Samui remains fairly inexpensive compared to the likes of other international resort destinations and a key factor behind the buoyancy of island’s property market is its tremendous overall value with excellent returns possible through the luxury property rental market. It is estimated that on Samui, investors can be looking at yields 8-10% per year, no mean feat in today’s investment markets. The fact that Samui is now entrenched on the international travel circuit means that the property prices are less vulnerable to slumps in any single market. Samui therefore has a great deal going for it in terms of investment, and the maturing market means that the property business no longer involves the same level of risk as before.
