Phuket is situated in the south of Thailand, it is the largest and most famous island in the country. Phuket is known as "The Pearl of the Andaman" for its natural beauty and is today one of the most popular destinations for tourists around the world.
Phuket, the largest island of Thailand with its 543 km2 area, offers its tourists and investors alike many benefits, amongst other things ultra-modern facilities, a wide choice of hotels, a lush tropical vegetation and beautiful white sand beaches. This combination of modernity and nature has made Phuket one of the first tropical seaside resorts in the world.
Indeed, more than 11 million tourists have visited Phuket and its surroundings in 2014 and many factors show that the growth is likely to continue. The expansion of the airport has already started with the aim of attracting over 20 million visitors per year in the near future. The same goes for the road system: since the late 1960's, it is possible to access Phuket directly from the mainland via the "Sarasin" bridge and a massive renovation of the internal roads is also in progress. Finally within 10 years a light rail line will link the south of Phangnga province to the southeast of the island (Chalong) via several stops including Phuket Town.
This paradise island offers an exceptional quality of life and the expatriate community has been growing year by year. In addition to ultra-modern hospitals with Western standards (Phuket, Bangkok and Sirirot hospitals), Phuket has now 5 international schools.
Weather wise, Phuket is also extremely attractive, with only two seasons (the rainy season from June to October and the dry season from November to April). Average temperatures range between 28 and 34 degrees Celsius.
Phuket’s sites of interest
Long white-sand beaches are scattered all around Phuket island, most facing untouched heavenly islands. In the southeast of Phuket Island, the beaches of Rawai and Nai Harn are particularly famous with the expatriate community.
Rawai Beach is renowned for its fish market and seafood restaurants while Nai Harn Beach is renowned for its water activities. The beaches in and around Nai Harn and Rawai are ideal for investors who wish to own a second home whilst generating an annual rental income during their absence.
In Patong, the most visited city on the island, you will find a wide selection of restaurants, trendy bars, cinemas, brand stores as well as the large shopping mall "Jungceylon". In terms of investment, Patong Bay is one the most attractive places on the island. The constant flow of tourists throughout the year offers one of the best rental returns on investment in Phuket.
Close to Patong, Kamala Bay and "Millionaire's mile" host the most luxurious villas on the island seafront. The area of Kamala has several residential projects offering rental management services allowing owners to let their property as often as possible during their absence. The proximity to the entertainment of Patong is a major advantage of Kamala Bay.
Further north, you will find the village of Bangtao. This beautiful bay is home to some of the most luxurious hotels in Phuket and is also known as "Laguna Phuket". This area is prized by tourists for its many facilities (spas, shops, fine dining restaurants). It also has several golf courses, including the famous Laguna Phuket Golf. If you like peace and golf, Bang Tao Bay is for you.
Just 10 minutes south of Patong Beach, Karon is the second longest beach in Phuket (3.5km long). Home to many resorts and amenities, Karon enjoys the same advantages as Kamala.
Following Patong and Karon, one the most popular areas on the island is Kata Bay, divided by a rock barrier into two distinct areas, Kata Yai and Kata Noi. Kata Yai is a 2-km white sand beach lined with restaurants and hotels while Kata Noi is smaller, offering thus more seclusion and tranquility. Kata has a small village atmosphere which is very appreciated by tourists.
The above listed benefits have made Phuket particularly attractive in terms of investment opportunities. The island now attracts a growing number of investors willing to combine the purchase of a second home with a seasonal rental investment. Buying an apartment or a villa in Phuket is a secure investment with a very attractive rental yield (between 5% and 9% per year).
Phuket in numbers:
