Thailand, especially Phuket, is consistently among the top destinations for foreigners buying real estate. And for good reason: the island has a reputation for a stable economy, developed infrastructure, and high rental yields. Let’s explore what attracts investors from around the world and how to buy a home in this paradise corner of Asia.

Contents:

  1. Top Reasons Why Phuket Is One of the Best Places for Investment
  2. Who Is Buying Property in Thailand
  3. Can Foreigners Buy Property in Phuket
  4. Best Properties to Buy Right Now
  5. How to Manage Property Remotely
  6. Why You Should Act Now

Top Reasons Why Phuket Is One of the Best Places for Investment

Phuket is the only place on the planet that combines every advantage for successful real estate investment.

Economy and finance

Thailand boasts rapid economic growth — in the first half of 2025, the economy grew by 3%. Inflation is at a record low: in September 2025, it was –0.72%. This means rental income is not eroded by inflation.

The Thai baht is one of the most stable currencies in Southeast Asia. Developers accept cryptocurrency payments. Banking services are available to foreigners — you can open an account and get a card in one business day.

Wealthy investors can obtain a 10-year visa with a minimum investment of $500,000 in real estate or bonds. Retirees over 50 are eligible for a renewable one-year retirement visa.

Tourism and transport
Phuket is an international year-round resort with excellent connectivity. The island’s international airport is being expanded — capacity will increase to 18 million passengers per year. New direct flights from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East are appearing.

In 2024, Thailand welcomed a record 35.5 million tourists, including 1.7 million visitors from Russia (+18% vs 2023). Russia ranked fifth among all countries by tourist numbers.

Major events and projects

In December 2025, Phuket will host a major European music festival. In 2028, Bangkok will host Formula 1 races — the government has allocated over $1.23 billion for the project.

On the island, a new international airport is under construction, and top-tier medical clinics are being built. In 2026, the prestigious Bumrungrad International Hospital Phuket will open in the Mai Khao area — becoming a key attraction for the northern part of the island.

A light-rail system (Skytrain) is planned to connect the airport with central areas, including Patong. A high-speed highway and the Kathu-Patong tunnel are under development. Opening a casino is also under consideration.

Living infrastructure

The island has more than 13 internationally accredited schools. Among the best is HeadStart International School with two campuses (central Phuket and Bang Tao beach), educating over 1,000 children from 45 countries under the British curriculum. The Little Lions kindergarten in Bang Tao offers EYFS and KS1 British-standard education for children aged 2–7.

Familiar grocery stores, large shopping malls, water parks, golf courses, yacht clubs, restaurants for every taste and budget, massage salons and spas — everything is already here. In the last two years, many modern malls, coworking spaces, an aquarium and dolphinarium, go-karting, and beach clubs have opened.

Nature and climate

Year-round summer, turquoise sea, white sand beaches, mountains, waterfalls, rivers, and lakes. There is a short low season, but even then, the island attracts tourists from the UAE, Israel, China, Japan, and Australia.

Limited supply

Phuket is an island, meaning land is finite. Sea and mountains create natural building restrictions. Virtually no free plots remain along the most attractive beaches in prestigious areas.

Safety

Constant demand for both rental and purchase is guaranteed by the growing flow of tourists and relocators. Military conflicts, immigrant issues, high taxes, and fatigue from big-city life — all these factors push people worldwide to come live and vacation in Phuket. The hospitality, friendliness, and kindness of the Thai people on the island only add to this appeal.

Who Is Buying Property in Thailand

In 2024–2025, foreigners purchased more than 7,000 apartments in Thailand worth over $850 million. Chinese buyers lead (about 46% of the market), followed by Russians and CIS citizens (approximately 8–9%). Americans, Myanmar residents, Europeans, Israelis, and Indians are also active buyers.

Buyers from Russia and Belarus are especially active in the leasehold segment — in 2023, they accounted for about 53% of such units and roughly 44% by value. Slavic buyers prefer villas and premium-segment housing.

Chinese investors prefer compact options — condominiums and investment properties. Europeans from the UK, Germany, France, as well as Middle Eastern buyers, are keenly interested in luxury villas. The share of Indian investors is also rising.

Can Foreigners Buy Property in Phuket

Anyone with a passport can sign a purchase agreement — in person or remotely. We recommend having your own agent on the island to save time on selection and avoid mistakes in paperwork. Agent services are free for the buyer.

We ourselves are active investors, so we know exactly which projects are worth investing in. We track new developments and villa communities and offer the most favorable terms from developers.

How the transaction works

We usually handle client reservations and contract signing directly with the developer online. If the client flies in, we meet them at the airport, conduct viewings, and accompany them through the entire transaction. Completion takes one business day, including opening a bank account and card included (if desired).

Freehold vs leasehold: what to choose

Freehold — full ownership. The owner can sell, gift, or bequeath the property. Inheritance is easily arranged with a local notary. We recommend Freehold to avoid risks associated with possible changes in long-term lease legislation.

Leasehold — a long-term lease agreement for 30 years with the option to extend for another 30 years (up to 90 years total). Suitable for clients who, for formal reasons, do not want to own foreign property — no need to declare it for tax purposes. Downside: no inheritance rights.

Leasehold purchase is cheaper than freehold, especially for villas and houses where the land is taken on a long-term lease.

Installment plans – a popular option

One of the most popular choices. Payments are spread over the construction period and tied to construction stages. The down payment is usually 35%.

Nice bonus: late-payment penalties on Phuket are virtually nonexistent. In practice, clients sometimes delay payments, but developers are understanding and allow small extensions — that’s just how Thai people are!

Best Properties to Buy Right Now

For clients with full funds available

Bellevue Lagoon — completed boutique residences in the well-developed Bang Tao area, close to the sea and Boat Avenue (restaurants, bars, karaoke, European supermarket, golf courses). Price from 4.865 million THB (~$140,000).

Advantages: fast entry into commercial rental, real photos/videos of the finished property, pool, gym, and coworking. Completed December 2024, ready for move-in. Rental Pool program 70/30% yield.

For clients considering short-term installment loans

The Title Serenity — completion summer 2026. Located near Nai Yang beach and Sirinat National Park. 814 apartments across 6 floors. Rich infrastructure: several pools, pool bar, jacuzzi, BBQ area, kids’ zone, yoga/workout areas, gym, theatre, karaoke.

Advantages: short installment plan with income planning possible from 2026, proximity to sea and Sirinat Park, transparent construction progress (interior finishing stage).

For clients with a limited budget

Projects with 1.5–6 year installment plans exist. Minimum down payment — 35% of property value.

For clients with a budget from $400,000

We offer luxury apartments and villas. We recommend buying a villa — higher yields and faster price appreciation in this class.

How to Manage Property Remotely

Four main options:

  1. Your agent handles short-term rental, or you jointly decide on a yearly lease contract. You agree on the reporting system and the payment receipt method.
  2. The condominium has its own management company. Management fees ~20–30%. Often, a Rental Pool program is offered: the company pools revenue from all units and distributes it (typically 70% to owners, 30% to the company).
  3. Purchase a unit in a hotel-branded complex. Higher price due to brand and services, but guaranteed income programs (5–8% per year) for 2–5 years are available.
  4. You personally list the property on platforms with a focus on short rentals. 

Ссылка: https://realting.com/news/daily-apartment-rentals-on-realting 

Why You Should Act Now

The Phuket real estate market is showing confident growth. New-build prices have risen 15–20% over the past 18 months, villas by 25%. Limited beachfront land and strong foreign demand will continue pushing prices upward.

Many projects launched in 2023–2024 are already 70–90% sold. The longer you wait, the more expensive market entry becomes.

Contact a professional agent on the island to save time and money. Verify that the agent has a current work permit (blue document with photo) to avoid dealing with unlicensed consultants.

We are ready to consult everyone who wants to preserve and grow their capital. We help select the right property within your budget and provide full post-purchase support.

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