Are you planning to settle in Thailand, for a few months a year, or even year-round? Are you wondering where to put down your suitcases?
A quick overview of the 5 destinations where Obsido Immo, a French-speaking agency specializing in real estate investment in Thailand , offers properties for purchase as well as for rent.
Investing in Bangkok: the capital, an international metropolis
If you are “urbanites”, used to living in capital cities or large cities (1 million inhabitants or more), Bangkok is certainly the city that will suit you best in Thailand.
Bangkok is a more pleasant city to live in than some stereotypes (polluted and congested) might suggest. With several large parks, a well-developed public transportation system, and quality housing options (modern apartments in residences with swimming pools, gyms, and sometimes even attractive green spaces) at moderate prices compared to most international metropolises, it offers a high quality of life with a range of restaurants, entertainment, and leisure activities that live up to what one would expect from a major capital. All this just a few hours by car or plane from numerous seaside resorts and idyllic islands.
Investing in Pattaya: the dynamic seaside resort, and the “investment destination”
Located just a 1.5-hour drive from Bangkok International Airport, Pattaya has experienced strong growth for over 20 years and has become one of Asia's most popular beach resorts. Attracting nearly 10 million tourists annually, it is Thailand's most visited beach destination and boasts remarkable dynamism in both tourism and real estate.
An ideal compromise if you are looking for a large city (Pattaya has nearly one million inhabitants), by the sea, and close to Bangkok and paradise islands (Kho Samet, Kho Chang, Koh Kood), Pattaya is also a popular destination for investors, with real estate in Pattaya offering high rental yields of 6 to 10% per year.
Investing in Hua Hin: the authentic family-friendly seaside resort
On the other side of the Gulf of Thailand, Hua Hin , a royal city, is a quieter, more authentic, and less touristy seaside resort. With approximately 100,000 inhabitants, it naturally offers a more limited range of entertainment options than Bangkok or Pattaya, but nevertheless boasts very high-quality infrastructure (international hospitals, a large shopping mall and soon two more, about ten golf courses), a wide variety of restaurants, and a pleasant living environment nestled between the sea and the foothills of the mountains.
Hua Hin appeals to families and retirees who rent or buy villas mainly inland, as a secondary or primary residence in the case of a permanent settlement in Thailand.
Investing in Phuket: the pearl of the Andaman still lives up to its name
Phuket , the largest and most visited island in Thailand, sometimes has a reputation for being too touristy or too built up… this is quite a misunderstanding because the island is certainly developed (with an international airport, excellent roads, state-of-the-art commercial and hospital infrastructure, several luxury marinas and superb golf courses) but high-rise buildings are very rare and building heights are now limited.
The island also boasts areas that remain remarkably unspoiled, and everywhere the beaches and waters are exceptionally clean. Not to mention the dozens of idyllic islands in the surrounding archipelagos. In terms of real estate, Phuket offers some of the most luxurious sea-view villas in Thailand (particularly in the Millionaire's Miles area of Kamala), and Phuket also presents excellent opportunities for investors with freehold apartments and hotel management contracts.
Investing in Koh Samui: a small tropical paradise
Smaller and less developed than Phuket, Samui is nevertheless served by an airport and has seen the development over the years of a number of sophisticated hotels and restaurants as well as a fairly high-end real estate offering, including very pretty contemporary villas with sea views.
It has become a popular destination for Westerners, especially during the European winter months when the climate is particularly pleasant.
Are you looking to invest in Thailand ? The Obsido Immo team is available to answer your questions.
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