By the Book: Live in Phuket, work abroad
PHUKET: There is a growing trend in Phuket for expats in Southeast Asia to relocate their families here while commuting to work in major cities such as Singapore, Hong Kong, KL and Bangkok.
Phuket’s international airport provides regional business people convenient access to multiple destinations at low costs. Therefore, the option of using Phuket as a base to do business throughout the region is a viable one.
The living standards, cost of living and infrastructure that Phuket has to offer is a major draw for families who would otherwise be living in much smaller and more expensive properties in locations such as Singapore and Hong Kong.
For the price of a two bedroom condo in Singapore, a family could own or rent a four-plus bedroom villa with a private pool in Phuket. Phuket offers first class schooling, international medical care, good infrastructure, fantastic beaches, numerous leisure activities, a low cost of living, great dining, a large expat community and a lifestyle that many crave.
Families often require spacious accommodation with at least four bedrooms, a large pool and garden, a good location and a secure environment.
A great example of this type of property is the four bedroom freehold villa pictured here. It sits in a quiet, residential area known for its high-end properties. The spacious property (800sqm) features mature gardens and the internal area is 450sqm.
It is an ideal family home, perfect for entertaining and suitable for pets due to its high walls.
The large, U-shaped kitchen includes modern, gloss-white cabinetry with high-end appliances. The attached breakfast bar/work space seats three. The kitchen flows into the large dining area. The lounge has vaulted ceilings and opens out onto the spacious pool terrace with a large 54 cubic meter swimming pool, an external Jacuzzi and a sala perfect for outside dining and entertaining.
The roof terrace sala offers another option for entertaining or just relaxing. It hosts a small prep kitchen, a dining area and a seating area, all with expansive sea views.
Three of the bedrooms have en suite bathrooms. The master suite hosts a walk-in wardrobe. The bedroom also has a walk-out balcony that offers great sea views.
The house is finished in a modern style with excellent attention to detail. The floors throughout are made of teak. The bathrooms are finished in tile and granite. The ceilings are quite high, lending a peaceful, cool airy feeling.
In addition, there is also a maid’s room and a laundry room. The spacious car port will accommodate two cars and has an automatic gate.
The villa has both a home security system and estate security with a guard at night.
The price has been reduced to sell quickly, which brings us on to another current hot topic in Phuket’s property market. The seller is Russian and has seen a dramatic devaluation in the rouble. This property was originally bought for almost 30mn baht but the seller is currently able to offer it for only 19mn baht and would still walk away from such a sale without losing money in rouble terms. This really is a great opportunity for a buyer to purchase a property at well below its appraised market value.
For more information, contact: Kevin Hodges at Siam Real Estate and quote ref HSSV6018. Tel: 076-324042; Email: kevin@siamrealestate.com. Web: siamrealestate.com
— Kevin Hodges
Thailand Property FAQ
Can foreigners buy property in Thailand?
Yes. Foreigners can own condominium units freehold, as long as foreign buyers hold no more than 49% of the building's saleable area. Land cannot be owned directly by foreigners; houses are usually held through a 30-year lease — and since a March 2025 Supreme Court ruling, automatic “30+30+30” renewal structures are not enforceable beyond the first 30 years. Read the full foreign-ownership guide.
What is Thailand's 49% foreign quota?
In any condominium project, no more than 49% of the total saleable floor area can be foreign-owned. The quota applies only to condos — not houses, land or leaseholds — and popular buildings in Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya can hit the cap. How the quota works in practice.
How much are property transfer fees in 2026?
The transfer registration fee is cut to 0.01% (from the standard 2%) and the mortgage registration fee to 0.01% (from 1%) for purchases where both the price and assessed value are 7 million baht or less — extended by the Cabinet on June 30, 2026. On a 6-million-baht home that saves around 120,000 baht. Who qualifies for the cut · Standard fees & who pays what.
Is it better to rent or buy in Thailand as an expat?
It mostly depends on your time horizon: for stays under roughly five years renting usually wins once transfer costs and resale friction are counted, while longer stays can favour buying — especially with 2026's reduced fees. The rent-vs-buy maths for expats.
How much does property cost in Thailand?
A little over 2 million baht buys a freehold one-bedroom condo in central Chiang Mai — the same budget covers only a studio in Bangkok's CBD. Prices vary sharply by region and city. Average prices by region, and what they buy you.
What taxes do property owners pay in Thailand?
Owners pay the annual land and building tax, and rental income is taxable; buyers and sellers split one-off costs like transfer fees, stamp duty or specific business tax depending on the deal. The go-to guide to Thai property taxes.
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