Property for rent in Koh Samui, Surat Thani

Covering an area of 233 sq km, Koh Samui ranks third in size of all the islands in Thailand. The first two islands that occupy 1st and 2nd place are Koh Pucket and Koh Chang. Koh Samui is around 700 Kms from Bangkok and is located south of Bangkok. It will take a one hour flight time to reach Koh Samui.

Predominantly covered by forest lands, Koh Samui has a hilly landscape. The highest mountain on the island is Thao Khai Kwai which has a height of 635 meters. There is a ring road that circles around the island and it is 51 Km long. The island is well connected to Don Sak, the car ferry station on the mainland and Surrathani, the provincial capital. Koh Samui is also well connected with Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, its neighboring islands in the North.

Koh Samui is a premium holiday destination and there are a number of tours you can take advantage of. The number of expats that travel to this island to holiday every year is increasing. These expats are primarily from places like the USA and Europe. Katie Holliday, a CNBC reporter, had once written an article in 2013, about expats and the lure of Asian countries. This article covered the main reason why people from the West tend to invest in Asia. The reason that the standard of living is luxurious but the cost of living is cheaper is why a lot of foreign expats rent properties on Koh Samui.

Before deciding which type of property you wish to rent in Koh Samui, it is important to understand the different types available and the legal restrictions on them. You cannot have the freehold of the land with your name on it. The land has to be on a lease or a Thai limited company has to hold the land in its name. The different types of property available in Koh Samui are:

• Villas For Rent In Koh Samui – find out whether a villa is a more secure and sensible choice than an apartment or a condominium.
• Penthouses For Rent In Koh Samui – Carry out thorough research to find out whether the penthouse, in question, will have a decent resell value in future.
• Apartments For Rent In Koh Samui – how many bedrooms in the apartment will you require during your stay on the island?

Koh Samui covers an area of 247 sq km but it will take you less than 45 minutes to travel from one side of the island to another. The most significant places for renting property in Koh Samui are Bo Phut, Chaweng and Choeng Mon. These locations are popular because of their close proximity to the airport, hotels, and hospitals. Tourists mostly wish to opt for rental options in these areas because they are closer to shopping areas like Tesco Lotus and the Fisherman’s Village which is a fine dining area on the island.

Chaweng Beach is highly popular because of its beautiful and gentle sandy slopes. The other famous beaches of the island are the Big Buddha Beach, the Lamai Beach and the quieter Maenam Beach.

The area of Chaweng is a primary tourist spot along with two other areas, Bophut and Lamai. If you are looking for a resplendent nightlife, the ring road is a great place to find pubs, resto-bars, live shows, fine dining and discos.

Koh Samui, despite its many attractions, continues to be in the top tier of destinations that are cheaper than many other countries. The tourism market is highly competitive but Koh Samui has effortlessly managed to adapt to the perennial changes. The island has been respectful and responsive to the needs of its tourists, in terms of budget and experiences.

This is the prime reason for foreign expats to rent property in Koh Samui. The cost of living is almost 4 times lower than countries in the West. However, the quality of life is luxurious and remarkable. For 2-5 Euros, a full course meal is available on the streets and is as nutritious as it is delicious. Exotic vegetables are available in local markets at very cheap rates. Eating in local restaurants is easier, more accessible and much cheaper than Western countries.

Meat is also relatively cheaper to buy. Lamb could be slightly more expensive since it is not locally sourced. Consumer goods that tourists require on a daily basis are also cheaper than most European countries.

1. Job Opportunities
   With the tourism industry in full swing, job opportunities are available within the beautiful island of Koh Samui. Rents are not too high either so it is not difficult to find a place to stay and start working at the same time.
2. Direct flights from China
   Tourists from China will now find it easier to rent property on this island because the new International Airport now has direct flights from China. With budget airlines doing hourly flights from China at a rate as cheap as $25, it is much more convenient to travel to the island. There is also the option of hiring a ferry for those traveling on a budget or a Motor Yacht Charter for those who can afford to splurge.
3. Weather Conditions
   This is one of the most significant reasons to rent property in Koh Samui. The weather is moderate and tropical and there are extremities of temperature. There are longer high season periods in Koh Samui. Hence, if you plan to buy rental property on this island, you can expect great yield from your investment for these properties.
4. Good schooling opportunities
   When you rent property in Koh Samui and live there, it will also mean that your children can attend the popular International schools, for example, The British International School Of Samui and PanyaDee. Most foreign expats send their children to these schools while staying in rental properties in Koh Samui.