Buying, selling or investing on Koh Samui often comes with questions — about structure, timing and what to expect.
Below you’ll find a selection of topics we’re asked about regularly.
If something isn’t covered, a conversation is usually the simplest way to clarify things.
BUYING ON KOH SAMUI
A significant part of our work centres on carefully selected new and off-plan developments. We work closely with developers from early stages — advising on positioning, pricing and market fit — which gives our clients access to well-considered projects and early opportunities.
We also assist with completed properties when they align clearly with a client’s objectives and long-term strategy.
We begin by understanding what the property is meant to achieve — lifestyle, investment, or a combination of both.
From there, we assess location dynamics, pricing, market demand and long-term potential. Our role is to help decisions take shape with clarity rather than noise.
Yes. In addition to publicly marketed listings and developments, we have access to off-market opportunities through long-standing relationships with owners, developers and investors across the island.
These opportunities are shared selectively — and only when they genuinely add value to a client’s search.
Koh Samui is a dynamic market, particularly in sought-after areas and well-positioned projects. Some decisions move quickly; others require careful comparison and timing.
We help structure the process, assess opportunities objectively and act decisively when the right property presents itself.
Absolutely. Many of our clients are based overseas.
We regularly manage searches remotely — including project walkthroughs, property viewings, shortlisting and coordination with independent legal and financial professionals — ensuring the process remains clear and well managed from abroad.
LEGAL & PROPERTY OWNERSHIP IN THAILAND
Foreign individuals cannot own land in Thailand. This applies nationwide.
As houses and villas are built on land, ownership structures differ from what many international buyers may be familiar with. Understanding this from the outset allows decisions to be made with clarity and realistic expectations.
For houses and villas, long-term leasehold is the standard and widely used ownership structure for foreign buyers in Thailand.
When structured correctly and registered at the local Land Office, leasehold provides legally recognised rights for the agreed term under Thai law.
Freehold ownership of land is legally available to:
• Thai citizens
• Thai-registered companies that meet legal requirements
With the exception of condominium units (under specific conditions), freehold ownership of land for houses and villas is not available to foreign individuals.
Leasehold agreements are typically registered for 30 years and recorded in the buyer’s individual name at the local Land Office.
Buyers should not assume automatic renewal. All lease structures and contractual provisions must be reviewed independently as part of the due diligence process.
Yes. Independent legal advice is essential when purchasing property in Thailand.
A qualified lawyer will conduct due diligence, review contracts and ensure the structure complies with Thai law. We coordinate closely with trusted legal professionals, while legal advice always remains independent.
Please note that property regulations and ownership structures may evolve. Independent legal advice should always be obtained before entering into any agreement.
INVESTING ON KOH SAMUI
Yes. A significant share of property purchases on Koh Samui are driven by investment considerations in addition to lifestyle use.
Demand is shaped by tourism, lifestyle migration and limited supply in well-performing areas, making the market distinct from purely residential locations.
Investors generally focus on:
• Location quality
• Build standards
• Pricing relative to market performance
• Exit potential
We assess opportunities through a market-led lens rather than headline yields or short-term trends.
Off-plan developments are often attractive to investors due to lower entry pricing and strong demand for well-designed, modern villas.
In some well-positioned projects, rental performance can approach double-digit returns. Outcomes depend heavily on pricing, location, management quality and broader market conditions.
Our role is to evaluate which projects are genuinely aligned with demand — not simply new, but investable.