Phuket Property for Sale: Condos and Villas

Phuket from a buyer's point of view

Phuket is Thailand's largest island, in the Andaman Sea off the west coast. It has its own international airport in the north, with direct flights from many cities in Asia and Europe and short domestic hops from Bangkok, and a bridge links it to the mainland. There are private hospitals, international schools, marinas and golf courses. The west coast faces the open sea, with sunsets and real waves in the monsoon season; the east coast is calmer and looks onto a bay. All of this makes Phuket a market for villas and holiday homes more than for city towers.

Areas of the island

The north and west are where most new luxury villas are being built. Bang Tao is a long bay on the west coast with a large integrated resort, restaurants and international schools nearby — a place you can live in all year. Next door, Layan is quieter and greener, with villas on the hillside looking out to sea. In the far north, by the airport and the national park, Nai Yang is a relaxed beach with a local feel.

Thalang is the island's large northern district. Beyond the beaches it has green inland neighbourhoods with villas and houses, away from the tourist crowds and close to the airport — for buyers who want space and quiet and are happy to drive to the beach.

The south feels different. Rawai is the southern tip, with boat piers, seafood markets and a large community of foreigners who live on the island full-time. Kata, on the south-west coast, is known for beautiful beaches and green hills and draws surfers in the wave season. Both suit people looking for a community, not just a holiday.

In the middle of the island, Kathu is a residential area between Patong and town with golf courses, and Phuket Town is the old town with colourful shophouses, markets and everyday local life. Buyers aiming at long-term tenants who work on the island often look here. Every Phuket project is listed on this page; for the full search, open the project catalogue.

What you can buy in Phuket

• Pool villas — the island's signature; foreigners usually buy them on a long-term land lease.
• Condos near the beach, sometimes inside a resort with hotel-style services — for holidays and rental.
• Apartments in Phuket Town and the centre of the island — for long-term letting.
• Townhouses and smaller houses in gated estates — for families who want a house without a full villa.

Who Phuket suits

Phuket suits people whose idea of a good life is the sea, nature and a private house with a pool. Families come for long winters because of the international schools and calm areas such as Layan and Bang Tao; remote workers come for the community and co-working spaces; sailors, divers and surfers come for the water. Rental investors usually target holidaymakers from Europe and Asia and pay attention to the distance to the beach and services. If you want a big city, look at Bangkok; if you want an urban beach town, Pattaya may fit better.

How buying works

A foreigner can own a condominium unit freehold in their own name, provided the building still has foreign quota available and the money arrives from abroad in foreign currency. Villas work differently: the building itself can sometimes be registered to the buyer, while the land is held on a long-term lease with renewal options set out in the contract. This is where an independent lawyer's review of the contract and the Land Office registration matters most. For a project under construction you pay in stages as work progresses and inspect the house at handover before the final payment. All of it can be done remotely, with our manager guiding you through each step.

Running costs

• an annual common-area or estate fee — security, landscaping, shared pools;
• a one-off sinking fund contribution, usually at handover;
• for a villa, pool, garden and air-conditioning maintenance, which is a constant item in a humid climate;
• electricity, water, internet and insurance, plus a management company's commission if you rent out;
• Thailand's annual land and building tax.

Amounts depend on the project, and a manager will give you a breakdown before you decide. Nightly rentals are regulated separately in Thailand, so check with a lawyer what is allowed for the property you choose. Tax on rental income in your home country is a question for your own adviser.

Where to start

Pick a few projects from the list, or leave your details and we will send options that fit your budget. If you are comparing Phuket with other destinations, browse all projects.