Phuket

Thailand

Overview

Phuket is Thailand's largest island and the market where almost all of our Thailand listings sit. It is two markets in one: a dry-season resort and holiday-rental market on the west coast, from Nai Yang in the north to Rawai in the south, and a quieter, cheaper residential market inland and around Phuket Town. A foreigner can own a condominium unit outright within the 49% quota of the building, but cannot own land, so villas are held on a registered lease of up to 30 years or inside a legally structured project. Prices differ a lot by beach and by project, and the wet season from May to October changes how a beach area feels and lets.

Who it's for

Buyers who want a place for their own winter stays and are happy to let it part of the year. Investors who accept a seasonal market and a regulated short-let rule. Remote owners who will hire a manager. Less suited to anyone who needs a residence permit from the purchase alone (property does not give one), or who expects a year-round beach life: the west coast sea is rough from May to October.

Best districts

Bang Tao, Laguna and Cherngtalay in the north-west are the polished resort belt, closest to the airport of the beach areas and with the most new supply. Surin and Kamala are smaller beach districts with a wide spread of projects and prices. Patong is the busiest and loudest, with the deepest short-let demand; Kata and Karon are calmer family beaches. Rawai, Nai Harn and Chalong in the south suit long-stay residents and are cheaper. Nai Yang and Mai Khao in the north are quieter, near the airport, and priced lower than Bang Tao. Check each area against your own use before comparing prices.

Lifestyle

Expect hot weather all year, a dry high season from November to April, and a wet season with short heavy showers, grey weeks in September and October, and red-flag beaches where swimming is prohibited. Traffic is heavy at peak hours and between areas, and the island has no metro, so a scooter or car is part of daily life. Phuket Town has hospitals, markets and international schools; the beach areas have restaurants, clubs and services for long-stay foreigners.

Investment potential

Agents quote 8% to 12% gross for well-run short lets and 4% to 8% for long lets, but the higher numbers assume high-season occupancy and a licence: lets under 30 days need a hotel licence, and many condo buildings forbid them. Net returns after fees, vacancy, tax and furnishing are lower, often by a few points. Foreign demand has cooled in 2026 and a lot of new supply was launched in 2024, which helps a buyer who negotiates but also makes resale slower. Model your own net figure before you rely on a headline yield.

Infrastructure

Phuket International Airport sits in the north-west and serves Bangkok and international flights; the drive to Bang Tao is about 20 to 30 minutes and to Kata, Rawai and Nai Harn about an hour or more. The island has several private hospitals, international schools, marinas, golf courses and large shopping centres, mostly around Phuket Town, Kathu and Chalong. Roads flood briefly after heavy rain in a few known spots. Ownership is registered at the Land Department, and funds for a freehold condo must be brought in from abroad in foreign currency.