Why Koh Samui and Koh Phangan Are Pulling Global Property Money — What Buyers Must Know

A sudden shift: islands draw global property Thailand buyers

Koh Samui and Koh Phangan have moved fast from boutique tourism spots to major draws for property Thailand investors. The headline numbers are blunt and hard to ignore: 154 residential projects, 2,860 units and more than 61 billion baht in development value on the two islands at the end of Q1 2026, according to Colliers Thailand. For investors who follow market cycles, this kind of concentrated growth tastes like opportunity — and risk.

In this report we examine what is driving the rise, which product types are selling, who is buying, and what practical checks buyers and investors must perform before committing capital. We also flag competitive pressures now entering from Bangkok developers and outline why land prices that are still below Phuket's may mean more growth ahead.

What the data says: growth that is measurable and rapid

Colliers Thailand's research provides a compact picture of supply and demand dynamics across the two islands.

• Combined inventory: 154 projects with 2,860 units and >61 billion baht in development value (Q1 2026).
• Koh Samui: 113 projects, 2,422 units, 53.2 billion baht in value. Product mix: 65 villa projects (749 units) worth nearly 30 billion baht, 9 condo projects (1,214 units), and 39 housing projects (459 units).
• Koh Phangan: 41 projects, 438 units, 7.94 billion baht in value. Villas dominate with 26 projects (294 units) worth 6.83 billion baht.
• Buyer composition: Samui buyers are 85–90% foreign, while Phangan buyers are more than 90% foreign; Thai buyers make up roughly 10–15% on Samui and about 10% on Phangan.
• Price points: typical condo prices on Samui range from 60,000–80,000 baht/sq m, with some luxury projects above 200,000 baht/sq m.

Those numbers matter because they show both scale and concentration. Samui is now operating like an international resort market. Phangan is following, with a distinct tilt toward long-stay, retirement and rental markets.

Why foreign demand is so strong — buyer profiles and motivations

Understanding who is buying helps us understand future market direction.

• Primary buyer groups are European investors (more than half of Samui demand), followed by Russians, Israelis, Chinese, Australians, Czech and French buyers.
• On Phangan the strongest foreign demand comes from Israelis, Europeans and Australians; areas such as Sri Thanu attract wellness-focused expats and digital nomads.

Buyers are motivated by three main use cases:

• Long-stay residences and retirement homes, especially among Europeans and Israelis.
• Rental investment: short-term holiday lets and longer-term rentals to expats or remote workers.
• Lifestyle relocation for digital nomads and wellness seekers, particularly on Phangan.

One key market feature is the prevalence of leasehold ownership, which allows foreigners to acquire usage rights that drive market activity. Colliers notes leasehold is the dominant structure in both markets, and that explains the high share of overseas purchasers.

Product mix: villas lead, condos and housing follow

Developers are clearly targeting the higher-margin villa segment. The split is not trivial for investors deciding product type.

• Villas: the dominant offering on both islands, with 65 projects on Samui (749 units) and 26 projects on Phangan (294 units). Villas are priced to attract affluent second-home buyers and buyers seeking privacy and sea views.
• Condominiums: Samui recorded 9 condo projects with 1,214 units. Condo price ranges of 60,000–80,000 baht/sq m in mainstream projects create an entry point for many foreign buyers; high-end projects can go beyond 200,000 baht/sq m.
• Housing estates: smaller footprint but part of a diversified supply base.

Villas and branded residences are selling strongly because they match demand for private, amenity-rich living that can command premium rental rates. Developers are responding with projects that aim to combine resort services and investment-grade finishes.

Opportunity: lower land values than Phuket, room to grow

Phattarachai Taweewong of Colliers notes that while land prices have risen sharply in the past two years, they remain significantly lower than on Phuket. That relative discount is central to the islands' investment narrative.

What that means for investors:

• There is price upside if demand continues and infrastructure improves.
• Developers from Bangkok are moving in — Supalai Plc and Ornsirin Holding are named entrants — which will increase professionalisation and competitive product offerings.
• The islands retain an arbitrage advantage versus established resort markets, attracting buyers who want island lifestyle at a lower cost base.

Still, cheaper land is not a guarantee of returns. Appreciation depends on occupancy levels, tourism recovery patterns, transport links and how well projects are positioned for the buyer profile they target.

Risks and deal-proofing: what we tell buyers to check

High foreign demand and developer interest create momentum. Momentum attracts capital, and capital magnifies errors. Here are practical, industry-standard safeguards to reduce downside.

• Title diligence: verify land titles thoroughly. Colliers warns developers must check land titles before launch. For buyers this means examining Chanote (title deed) or other permitted instruments, confirming boundaries and encumbrances.
• Leasehold terms: if you buy leasehold, confirm the lease duration, renewal clauses, transferability and whether the developer has registered the lease appropriately.
• Planning and approvals: ensure projects have valid building permits, environmental approvals and local zoning consistency.
• Infrastructure risk: check road access, utility reliability (water and sewage) and availability of healthcare and schooling if long-stay markets are targeted.
• Market concentration risk: with 85–90% and >90% foreign purchase shares, currency fluctuations, travel restrictions and changes in tourist sentiment can compress demand rapidly.
• Product positioning: success will depend on location, product quality and pricing.