Top Real Estate Projects in Koh Samui

Condo & apartment projects with direct access to the beach

Located off the south eastern coast in Thailand, Koh Samui is the second largest island in the Kingdom. It is part of Surat Thani Province, in the Chumphon Archipelago . With an area of 228.7 square kilometres, it is roughly half the size of Phuket but every bit as popular, routinely visited by roughly 2.7 million tourists per year.

Archaeological evidence suggests the island was first inhabited 15 centuries ago, by fishermen of the Malay Peninsula and southern China. Chinese maps dating back to 1687 describe the island as Pulo Cornam.

The origin of the island name is a bit of a mystery. Some say it comes from the Sanskrit-Tamil word samwoe (สมวย), which means “sea weather,” while others claim it is the name of a local southern tree called Tansamui (ต้นสมุย). Still, another candidate is the Hainanese word Sabouy meaning barrier island, or safe island, as the Hainanese were some of the early settlers and travelers to the region.

Until the late 20th century, Koh Samui was completely self-sufficient and had very little interaction with the Thai mainland. The island had no modern roads until the early 1970’s. The 15 kilometer trek from one end of the island to the other would take as much as an entire day crossing densely forested mountains that make up the inner regions of the island. The current economy of Koh Samui is primarily based on a widely popular tourism industry as well as the local coconut and rubber trade and with a rise in tourism, comes the developers battle to capture the luxury property market. FazWaz can help you find your luxury property in Koh Samui today!

Condo & apartment projects types

As the winter approaches in the regions outside of Thailand, their residents reassess their fridged living situations and seek warmer regions to soak up the sun and sea, while watching the waves roll in leaving the winter blues behind. As a result, beach front property is known for having some of the most sought-after real estate in the nation.

FazWaz market research in its Top Ten list of most popular neighborhoods in Thailand, placed many directly in Koh Samui. The beauty of Koh Samui has lured dozens of international celebrities. While Hollywood's elite could easily afford to live anywhere, many choose the beachfront property of Koh Samui for their summer homes. Owning your own beachfront condo may be much more accessible than you may realize.

Given that the beach is accessible from anywhere on the island let's explore the types of properties available throughout Koh Samui.

Low-End Condo

While Koh Samui has many luxurious properties, it does have many lower end condominiums available as well. The low-end condo sector may be quite appealing to an individual who wants to establish a permanent residence in Koh Samui. These condos are typically smaller in overall square meters and not necessarily intended for family use. That said, when viewing these condos under the term “low-end,” it should not be considered a disparaging term.

Many of these condos are furnished with modern appliances and comforts. They are simply at the lower end of the price scale because they are usually studios or smaller 1 bedroom units and not situated directly on the beachfront, yet many may still be a simple walk to the shore and even modern enough to use as a home or a rental unit.

These low-end condos can offer remarkable market value for the money, especially for foreigners with price constraints. Many freehold condo developments on the island offer studios or one bedroom units that can sell for under 2 million baht. Take a look at some of the lower end condos for sale in Koh Samui powered by FazWaz here:

Apartments

Although the vast majority of newly built projects in Koh Samui are condominiums, some offer only apartment style ownership. The two may look identical, but condos and apartments are very different legally.

Freehold condominiums allow the Non-Thai National permanent ownership of the unit (not the land below it), whereas apartments are sold as a leasehold only. The leasehold of an apartment is for a maximum of 30 years, with the possibility of renewing the lease 30 years a maximum of two terms totaling 90 years. Take a look at some apartments for sale in Koh Samui powered by FazWaz here:

Bungalows

Koh Samui has many quaint Beachside Bungalows typically consisting of a small one-story structure with a porch extending from the entrance providing a shaded area to relax and take in the scenery. This architecture gained popularity worldwide, especially in Thailand, where bungalow accommodation near the sea is in high demand for its intimate setting.

Bungalow style houses in Koh Samui vary in form, and can range in price considerably. Primarily situated in rustic natural areas, or in the vicinity of the island, bungalows have exploded in the last thirty years.

Koh Samui, without missing a beat in housing trends, stylizes bungalows in a number of ways. Some are collections of similarly styled houses or villas, in small estate type developments. Newer up-market bungalow projects can be found in areas popular with tourists, offering ocean views with a modern beach hut theme.

Some of these bungalows are available for sale to foreigners if classed as a condo or apartment, however as many are stand-alone homes, the vast majority are marketed to Thai nationals. These however can be rented to a foreigner by the Thai national. Take a look at some Bungalows for sale in Koh Samui powered by FazWaz here:

Townhouses

Townhouses and Shop houses are quite common in Thailand, and Koh Samui is no exception. They are found mostly in the suburbs surrounding Phuket Town and bordering many major roads on the island. A typical townhouse is usually a terraced structure with two or more stories and the Thai variation on this is known as a “shop houses” because they typically have a shop on the ground floor, with living quarters upper floors.

Foreign buyers, especially those with a Thai spouse or families looking to live near higher-density areas find these properties quite appealing. With a smaller footprint, taxes are lower, yet these shop houses are spacious and provide the opportunity to generate income from the shop as a foreigner can indeed open a business in Thailand so long as there are at least two Thai shareholders. Take a look at some Townhouses for sale in Koh Samui powered by FazWaz here:

Resort Style Condominiums in Koh Samui

In most cases, a foreigner in Koh Samui will opt for a freehold condominium. These developments are typically newer projects and being freehold, are able to be outright owned, meaning there is far less bureaucracy to deal with.

These medium-to-high end resort style condominiums are typically priced between 3 million and 15 million baht, depending on location, floor space and amenities. These modern developments will often provide common areas of interest such as a café, fitness center, and swimming pool.

Additionally, offering a guaranteed income on the unit for the first few years, developers can attract investors seeking an opportunity, rather than a place to live. As a result, many condo owners do not live in Koh Samui but rather, rent their property for a length of time. Take a look at some Resort style condos for sale in Koh Samui powered by FazWaz here:

Koh Samui’s Low and High Density Estate Houses

A popular option with middle class Thai nationals and foreigners with Thai spouses and families are housing estates. These estates are usually gated communities, in the suburbs where land is plentiful. A typical estate is a three-bedroom house atop a plot of land with space to garden or to install a swimming pool. Some developments are lower-density areas with larger properties and larger gardens whereas others are high-density and reside among other property types but still provide privacy within the compound with ease of access to the local neighborhood.

Luxury Freehold & Penthouse Condominiums in Koh Samui

Property developers understand the feeling of exclusion and the uncertainties that results when foreigners are unable to own land in Thailand. As a result, freehold luxurybeachside condominiums are increasing in number.

With gorgeous beachfront views, renowned developers, and first class property management, these projects offer everything a buyer with capital could want in Koh Samui.

Some of these freehold properties resemble a villa, while others, a luxury penthouse, complete with a rooftop garden, terrace and private pool.

As these luxury condos are often a part of a complex, they offer a range of common area facilities, such as a fitness center, restaurants and grocer. The developer may also offer rental guarantees for the investor. Take a look at some Resort style condos for sale in Koh Samui powered by FazWaz here. We have gathered some top projects for you here:

The best investment projects in Koh Samui

Koh Samui is largely shielded from project failures due to its solid tourism based economy and robust harvests of coconut and rubber trees. With tourism, even when the business sector slows in Thailand, that does not affect wealthy nations from vacationing in the beautiful islands of Thailand. In fact, as the baht depreciates, Koh Samui became more attractive to tourists because their currency will have an increased spending power.

The steady increase in tourism year after year has stimulated the growth of resorts, bungalows and luxury private villas on the island.

The island is conveniently serviced with over 50 flights per-day on average by Bangkok Airways, which continues to update its fleet with new Airbuses, a marked update from the previous fleet of older ATR 72 propeller planes with limited seating. The airbus fleet provides 189,000 in additional seats for Samui travelers.

This is exciting news for Thailand as with such ease of travel to the island, the nearly 3 million visitors traveling to Koh Samui every year spend an average of 8,000 baht per person per day.

Travel to the island will be made even more accessible as legislators in the Thai parliament have put forward an agenda to build an 18 kilometre bridge linking mainland Nakhon Si Thammarat Province with Ko Samui. Parliament believed the project would further encourage economic growth in southern Thailand. The bridge may be named Sapan "Chan-o-cha" in honour of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha

Latest off-plan projects launched in Koh Samui

Koh Samui is a dynamic island with a blend of tourists and local life. Unlike the fast pace of other islands like Phuket, Koh Samui is more laid back and relaxed, with much of it’s intense activity relegated to a few niche spots and adjacent islands which gives it the best of both worlds. One can go have the full moon parties beloved by young tourists and backpackers, or sit back and enjoy the peace and quiet of the ocean breeze along the secluded beach like the locals. This combination creates a very stable island economy and appropriate pace of property development not subject to the many chances in the marketplace that exist in places like Bangkok and Phuket that ebb and flow with the tides of tourists.

Koh Samui is largely shielded from project failures due to its solid tourism based economy, but also a robust coconut and rubber tree harvest at the local level. With tourism, even when the business sector slows in Thailand, that does not affect wealthy nations from vacationing in the beautiful islands of Thailand. In fact, as the baht depreciates, Koh Samui became more attractive to tourists because their currency will have an increased spending power.

Before deciding to invest in a new project in Koh Samui, it is important to assess the objectives and goals of the property. Will the property be investment based, or as a primary residence, or perhaps a combination of the two?

What type of community are you interested in? Condominiums allow for foreign ownership of an individual unit and often provide a sense of community through common areas such as swimming pools, outdoor cooking areas, fitness centers. Some may prefer a more private villa? Perhaps just as important is, as the old adage says, location location location! Do you prefer to be in the heart ofKoh Samui’s tourist areas where fire eaters and nightclubs are galore or off in the suburbs with more privacy?

Your options are plentiful so it is essential to envision your goals before making a purchase. Fortunately, our experts at FazWaz can help guide you in the right decision. Click here to book an appointment today and check out our listing to see everything available to you with the most accurate up to day market data on the net.

There are a wide range of developments in Koh Samui to invest in, some are still in the conceptual phase. These off-plan projects are yet to be built or are in the early stages of development.

The decisions to invest in new real estate when compared to existing property differ greatly and each have their own appeal. Essential knowledge of these markets is what we aim to arm you with so you may make the best investment decisions.

So what is the appeal to off-plan projects in Thailand? One major advantage to investing in off-plan real estate the property is that it is new. A new property requires minimal maintenance and meets all updated construction standards, which for Koh Samui, include things such as storm surge resistance, wind ultimately saving in the long run on electrical expenditure and weather damage.

This means a huge savings when one considers the climate of Thailand, which is on average 30 degrees Celsius. Older construction will not have the latest technology in weatherstripping and insulation and can be quite costly over time as the primary electrical expenditure is climate control from the air conditioning system. Additionally, the wait for new property from start to finish is also relatively short. From breaking ground to completion, one can expect about 2 years. There are typically 8 steps involved in the purchasing of an Off-Plan site. Below are 5 Off-Plan projects recommended by FazWaz.

Step 1 - Selection of the unit and agreement of the contractual terms

On average, developer pricing is fixed so it is important to be aware of the position of the unit in the project and what features and amenities it has to offer.

Step 2 - Reservation Agreement

The reservation agreement will take the unit off the public market to be reserved under your name and provides an outline with the purchasing terms and timelines involved with the investment.

Step 3 - Reservation Deposit

Payment of the reservation deposit will ensure the unit is removed from the open market. Some developers may vary in this fee depending on the unit or the market at the time, but on average this is about 2% of the total purchase price. Some deposits are refundable provided the buyer follows the best practices and due diligence. Always be sure to work with a reputable developer with a history of completing projects and insist on receiving a payment slip for the transfer.

Step 4 - Sales and Purchase Agreement

The purchase agreement, with a 30 day review period, states the terms and conditions of the sales and purchase of the project. The Agreement should outline the planned completion of the project as well as each benchmark to be met along the process of construction.

Step 5 - 1st Contract Payment

The first payment which typically can range anywhere from 20% to 40% of the purchase price is made in this step. For non-residents, this fund must be transferred into Thailand from an overseas bank account.

Step 6 - Payment Installments

The schedule of payments will be outlined throughout the building cycle. Typically, at each milestone in the construction of the project, payment of a prearranged percentage of the sale is to be made.

Step 7 - Snag List

A snagging list is a list of all the problems, or “snags” a unit has prior to being handed over to the owner that must be addressed such as any defects in the property. This stage must be completed 2 to 3 weeks prior to the handover.

Step 8 - Transfer

When the development is complete, the owner will pay the remaining balance and the keys will be issued. One is not required to live in Thailand at the time of the handover as many investors will hire a third party to do this on their behalf.

The cheapest residential projects in Koh Samui

The market in Koh Samui is a bit different than in other areas of Thailand. As the island is slightly less accessible than other locations due to its distance from the mainland, and an airport that is owned and operated by Bangkok Airways, who permit only a few smaller airliners to use it’s runway, the island has a bit of exclusivity to it. This has led the island to be a “best kept secret” to the mega rich and super stars or the silver screen. That said, the island is still a very popular tourist destination and oasis for those seeking to unwind and retire with modest accommodations. From super luxury to, lower end residential projects, Koh Samui offers it all.

With such a diversity of clientele, developers will often compete with one another to make their property more appealing. They can not simply name their price to a captive audience, so to speak, but rather they must make an attractive offer to entice investors and this spurs excellent rates from time to time.

Another instance where property is offered at a significant discount is during the later quarter of the market as a means to stimulate shareholder gains and move a company into the green after the first few quarters spent investing and building.

On occasion a developer will overestimate the amount of new investors leaving a surplus of property development. This is particularly true with many Off Plan projects that may not reach full capacity, yet investors are heavily invested in the success of the project. As the project nears completion and funds are expected to come in to bring the project into a profitable margin, the developer will often greatly reduce the rates to stimulate sales. This is an area where we can assist you in finding these amazing opportunities.

Our partners at FazWaz have taken all such factors into consideration so you don’t have to and compiled the top 5 projects that benefit from both tax incentives and developer stimulus conditions to discover the best properties that are open to offers. Please click here to find an offer today.

Pet friendly condo, apartment housing developments in Koh Samui

Thailand can be a difficult place for pet owners. The islands are no stranger to dogs and cats with no home or regular care givers, due in large part to religious practices of most Thais, which do not permit a dog inside the home. Similarly, these traditions also take issue with euthanization programs that would ordinarily manage the high rate of homelessness in the canine population.

Alternatives such as Spay / Neuter campaigns and immunizations which are commonplace in western nations, are not accepted in the Kingdom as it is seen as mutilation or animal abuse. As a result, many street dogs, colloquially referred to as Soi Dogs, are rampant in much of Thailand.

While Koh Samui is a bit of an exception due to the ability to control the comings and goings on an island, there are still quite a number of Soi Dogs. The result is many view these dogs and cats as a nuisance and not as a friendly family pet. Many condos and apartments thus do not look favorably on pet ownership, however, that is beginning to change on Koh Samui.

More and more “HiSo,” high-end groomers are popping up, together with the trend of tea cup style dogs paraded about in a Gucci Bag or Prada Purse, or wheeled about in a stroller like a newborn, is catching up to Thailand and that means a growing acceptance among property management for pet ownership.

Animal advocacy organizations on Koh Samui such as Samui Dog, have done great work to spay and neuter thousands of dogs and cats on the island to help reduce the population to reasonable numbers. We can help you find the best property for you and your companimal to keep your furry family together forever. Click here for the latest Pet Friendly locations powered by FazWaz.

Koh Samui real estate market and trends

Koh Samui Beaches

Koh Samui, being the largest island on the Gulf of Thailand has wonderful beaches. The waters are crystal clear and teeming with life. Chaweng Beach is the most developed and home to luxury resorts like Vana Belle and to Anantara’s Lawana at Koh Samui Samui Resort. To its south, Chaweng Noi (or little Chaweng) is one of the most top rated beaches in Thailand.

On the other end of the spectrum is Laem set Beach along the southern coast. This palm covered beach has interesting rock formations at the shore and a beautiful coral reef just off shore that makes for amazing diving. The sunset off the northwest shore along Phang Nga beach is quite gorgeous and provides a spectacular view.

Lamai Beach lies just along Koh Samui's second largest resort area. Here you can find...interesting rock formations that may make the child within you giggle. Known as "Grandpa" (Hin Ta) and "Grandma" (Hin Yai), referring to the anatomical likeness to the male and female anatomy.

The well known four-star Rocky's Boutique Resort, and five-star Banyan Tree Samui villas overlook the bay. Silver Beach to the northeast is quite stunning with a picturesque natural cove walled with granite boulders providing great snorkeling thanks to the calm waters.

On the north side of the island, the Maenam Beach, meaning the mother waters, provides waterway access and stunning views of Koh Phangan. This area has a diverse range of accommodations. From affordable backpacker style bungalows, hostels and boutique hotels and hostels called Poshtels, to five-star resorts, like the Santiburi Koh Samui and the W Koh Samui.

Koh Phangan, is a popular day trip from Koh Samui. The second largest of the three islands, it is one of the most popular. Koh Phangan's coast is more wild when compared to Koh Samui, with huge karsts and lush jungle covered mountains rising just off shore. Most of the development clusters along the southern and western coastline.

Whereas Koh Samui has the classical luxurious beach with long sandy shores, Koh Phangan's coastline cups into many sheltered coves, walled off by outcropping of ancient karsts and forested mountains. Thong Nai Pan Noi and Thong Nai Pan Yai are among the most popular beaches in this area. Again a range of accommodation from budget resorts to the four-star Buri Rasa Koh Phanganto and five star Anantara Rasananda Koh Phangan Villas.

Haad Yao, Hat Salad and Haad Son, are must see beaches.Famous for beautiful snorkeling areas just offshore.

Waterfall Experience

Deep within the lush jungle surrounding are two natural cascading waterfalls. Known as Na Muang, or The Purple Waterfalls, the lower portion flows into a crystal clear pool that visitors can enjoy and the upper portion, about thirty minutes uphill is similar in natural beauty. Unlike many parks in Thailand that require a fee, these parks in Koh Samui are completely free to enter.

Another waterfall worth the trek and must less visited by the masses is Khun Si Waterfall. It resides near the viewpoint overlooking Chaweng Beach. Khun Si Water is smaller and harder to find, which means far smaller crowds. Many times there are just a handful of visitors and often, none at all.

Big Buddha at Wat Phra Yai

One of the most popular and well known landmarks of Koh Samui is the Big Buddha Temple. The temple sits atop a small island in the northeastern corner of the main island. Locally known as Wat Phra Yai, this golden, 12 metre tall Buddha in a seated posture was built in 1972. Set on Koh Faan, Big Buddha temple is accessible by the small causeway that connects it to the main island. The Big Buddha can be seen at a great distance and is often the first landmark people see when arriving at Koh Samui by air.

The Big Buddha sits in what is called the Mara posture. The left hand’s palm up resting on the lap with the right hand relaxing downward. This is a scene from the journey to enlightenment the Buddah experienced where he subdued the temptations and dangers by the devil-figure Mara by remaining calm through meditation.

Ang Thong National Marine Park

Investing in Koh Samui not only gives you access to the Surat Tani mainland, but to the archipelago of 42 islands. It can take quite some time to see all that there is to offer so the adventure is constant. Ang Thong marine park is a nature preserve that is a must see and absolutely breathtaking. Many boat tours provide quick access to adjacent islands and many more for residents. Tours through the islands include stops for snorkeling, kayaking, and hiking up to viewpoints that are picturesque,giving a panoramic view of the island chain.

Fishermans Village:

The Chinese fishmongers have a strong cultural influence in the early days of Koh Samui history and that legacy still exists today. In a more modern incarnation of the industry, you can see Chinese shophouses, boutiques and night bazaars all along Bophut beach in the northern coast. This area, referred to as Fisherman's Village Walking Street is quite active every Friday evening. The walkways are lined with delicious unique foods, performers and hawkers. Many handmade artisans share their crafts of traditional jewelry, silversmithing, and much more.

Besides shopping, Fisherman's Village is a cultural hotspot where one can find many traditional Thai dance performers, Muay Thai bouts, and unique cafes.

Frequently asked questions

List of Best Real Estate Projects in Surat Thani

• Allure Luxury Residences
• Apple Villas Koh Samui
• Arisara Place Hotel
• Avanta Condominium
• BASE Horizon Villas
• Baan Archa Samui
• Baan Ngam Ngai
• Ban Tai Estate
• Bangrak Apartments
• Bangrak Mansion
• Bayview Estate
• Blessing Village Koh Samui
• Coconut Laguna Duplex
• Coconut Laguna Villas
• Creek Villa Samui
• Cube Villas
• Darika Residence
• Duplex M
• Five Islands Beach Villas
• Forest Hill
• Forward By Replay
• Four Springs Estate
• HANSA By Tropical Life Residence
• Holiday Villa
• Horizon Villas
• Indu Beach (Private Villas)
• Infinity Samui
• Jungle Paradise Villas
• KW Villas
• Kalessan Villas
• Kanda Residence
• Koh Samui Waterworld
• Ladawan Village
• Lamai Panorama
• Lavaliere Villas
• Lux Neo
• Mae Ya Residence
• Maenam Hills
• Mandalay Beach Villas
• Nakara Villas
• Napa Samui Villas
• New Nordic Koh Samui
• Oasis Samui
• Ocean 180
• Oceanis Samui
• Panoramic Villa
• Plumeria Villa Bang Rak
• Reef Villas
• Replay Residence & Pool Villa
• Rockwater Residences
• SUMALEE By Tropical Life Residence
• Samui Beach Villas
• Samui Emerald Villas
• Samui Grand Park Villas
• Samui Green Cottages
• Samui Green Laem Set
• Samuigreenvalley Resort
• Samujana
• Santi Thani
• Santikhiri Estate
• Santisook Villas
• Secret Garden Villa
• Sense 8 Samui Villas
• Shasa Resort & Residences
• Space Samui
• Sunrise Residence
• Sunset Cove Private Residences
• Sunset Lagoon Estate
• Tan Rua Residence
• Temple Gardens
• The Bay
• The Beach Samui
• The Estates Samui
• The Legend Luxury Seaview Villas
• The Park Samui
• The Plantation Villas
• The Ridge
• The Seasons - Samui
• Unique Residence
• Verano Residence
• Victorian Samui Condominium
• Villa Bali Style
• Villa Phoenix
• Villa Plumeria Lipa Noi Koh Samui
• Villa Sabai Jai - Koh Tao
• Villa The Wave
• Villa Victoria Samui
• Wild Cottages