Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Thailand Property Pack
Yes, the analysis of Koh Samui's property market is included in our pack
Thinking about running an Airbnb in Koh Samui in 2026? You are not alone, as this Thai island attracts thousands of property investors each year.
In this article, we break down the real numbers behind Koh Samui short-term rentals, from nightly rates and occupancy to legal requirements and monthly profits.
We constantly update this blog post with fresh data, so you always get the latest picture of the Koh Samui Airbnb market.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Koh Samui.
Fact-checked and reviewed by our local expert
Daniel Rouquette 🇫🇷
CEO & Co-Founder at Villa Finder
Can I legally run an Airbnb in Koh Samui in 2026?
Is short-term renting allowed in Koh Samui in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, short-term renting is widely practiced in Koh Samui, with thousands of active listings operating across the island.
The main legal framework that governs short-term rentals in Koh Samui is Thailand's Hotel Act, which considers any stay under 30 days as falling under hotel-style accommodation rules.
The single most important condition for Koh Samui hosts is understanding the 30-day threshold: stays shorter than 30 days may require you to register under the "non-hotel accommodation" pathway or obtain a hotel license, depending on your property setup.
A 2023 ministerial regulation update expanded the "non-hotel" category to include properties with up to 8 rooms and 30 guests, which makes compliance easier for smaller Koh Samui operators.
Penalties for operating an illegal short-term rental in Thailand can include fines and potential criminal liability, though enforcement varies significantly across different areas of Koh Samui.
For a more general view, you can read our article detailing what exactly foreigners can own and buy in Thailand.
If you are an American, you might want to read our blog article detailing the property rights of US citizens in Thailand.
Are there minimum-stay rules and maximum nights-per-year caps for Airbnbs in Koh Samui as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Koh Samui does not have a city-style "90 nights per year" cap like some Western cities, and there is no widely enforced maximum nights-per-year limit for short-term rentals.
These rules do not differ based on property type or host residency status in Koh Samui, as the key regulatory line remains the 30-day stay threshold that applies across all residential properties.
Many Koh Samui hosts adapt by setting a 30-night minimum stay on their listings, which effectively positions them as monthly rental operators and reduces regulatory exposure.
Do I have to live there, or can I Airbnb a secondary home in Koh Samui right now?
Koh Samui does not have a "primary residence only" rule for short-term rentals, which means you do not need to live in the property to list it on Airbnb.
Owners of secondary homes, vacation properties, and investment properties can legally operate short-term rentals in Koh Samui, as thousands of listings from non-resident owners already do.
The main additional consideration for secondary home owners is ensuring compliance with the hotel regulatory framework if you accept stays under 30 days, plus checking any condominium or villa estate rules that might restrict daily rentals.
There is no meaningful legal difference between renting out a primary residence versus a secondary home in Koh Samui, as the same hotel law framework applies to both.
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Can I run multiple Airbnbs under one name in Koh Samui right now?
Running multiple Airbnb listings under one name is legally possible in Koh Samui, and it is actually quite common, with several property managers operating 50 to 125 or more listings.
There is no hard maximum number of properties one person or entity can list for short-term rental in Koh Samui, though scaling up brings increased regulatory scrutiny.
Hosts with multiple Koh Samui listings should expect to operate more like a regulated accommodation business, which may require proper business registration and potentially a hotel license depending on how the properties are configured.
Do I need a short-term rental license or a business registration to host in Koh Samui as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the licensing requirement for Koh Samui hosts depends mainly on your stay length policy: if you only accept 30+ day bookings, you are closer to normal residential renting, but stays under 30 days may require non-hotel registration or a hotel license.
The 2023 ministerial regulation raised the "non-hotel accommodation" threshold to properties with up to 8 rooms and 30 guests, which is the most relevant pathway for typical Koh Samui homeowners wanting to do short-term rentals.
Required documents typically include property ownership proof, identification, and details about the property's configuration, though the exact process can vary based on local authorities.
Are there neighborhood bans or restricted zones for Airbnb in Koh Samui as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Koh Samui does not have official "banned zones" for short-term rentals in the way some major cities designate restricted areas.
However, de facto restrictions exist in many Koh Samui condominiums and managed villa estates where building rules or juristic person regulations prohibit or limit daily rentals.
The main reason for these restrictions is neighbor complaints and the practical challenges of managing transient guests in shared residential buildings.
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How much can an Airbnb earn in Koh Samui in 2026?
What's the average and median nightly price on Airbnb in Koh Samui in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the average nightly price for Airbnb listings in Koh Samui is around 8,200 THB ($260 or approximately 240 EUR), while the median sits closer to 6,000 THB ($190 or about 175 EUR) because luxury villas pull the average upward.
The typical nightly price range covering roughly 80% of Koh Samui Airbnb listings falls between 3,500 THB and 12,500 THB ($110 to $400, or about 100 to 370 EUR).
The single factor with the biggest impact on Koh Samui nightly pricing is property type: pool villas command significantly higher rates than condos or apartments, which is why the island's strong villa presence skews averages upward.
By the way, you will find much more detailed profitability rent ranges in our property pack covering the real estate market in Koh Samui.
How much do nightly prices vary by neighborhood in Koh Samui in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, nightly prices in Koh Samui can vary by 300% or more between neighborhoods, with the most expensive areas like Choeng Mon and Plai Laem averaging 7,500 to 15,700 THB ($240 to $500, or 220 to 460 EUR) per night, while more affordable areas like Mae Nam average 3,500 to 8,800 THB ($110 to $280, or 100 to 260 EUR).
The three neighborhoods with the highest average nightly prices in Koh Samui are Choeng Mon, Plai Laem, and Bophut, where luxury beachfront villas and resort proximity drive rates to 6,300 to 13,200 THB ($200 to $420, or 185 to 390 EUR) on average.
The three neighborhoods with the lowest average nightly prices in Koh Samui are Mae Nam, Lamai (mid-range areas), and parts of Nathon, where rates can start around 3,500 to 6,300 THB ($110 to $200, or 100 to 185 EUR), and these areas still attract steady bookings from budget-conscious travelers and long-stay guests.
What's the typical occupancy rate in Koh Samui in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the typical annual occupancy rate for Airbnb listings in Koh Samui is around 60%, which is considered strong for an island vacation rental market.
The realistic occupancy range covering most Koh Samui listings falls between 45% and 75%, depending on location, pricing strategy, and listing quality.
This 60% occupancy rate is above average for Thai island destinations and reflects Koh Samui's tourism rebound, with airport arrivals exceeding pre-pandemic levels since 2024.
The single factor with the biggest impact on achieving above-average occupancy in Koh Samui is treating your rental like a hospitality business: fast response times, professional photos, and reliable amenities like strong air conditioning and Wi-Fi make the difference.
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What's the average monthly revenue per listing in Koh Samui in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the average monthly revenue per Airbnb listing in Koh Samui is approximately 147,000 THB ($4,700, or about 4,300 EUR), calculated by multiplying the average nightly rate by the typical occupancy over 30 days.
The realistic monthly revenue range covering roughly 80% of Koh Samui listings falls between 60,000 THB and 250,000 THB ($1,900 to $8,000, or about 1,750 to 7,400 EUR), with condos at the lower end and well-positioned villas at the higher end.
Top-performing Koh Samui Airbnb listings can achieve 280,000 to 350,000 THB ($9,000 to $11,000, or 8,300 to 10,200 EUR) per month during peak season. For example, a high-end 3-bedroom pool villa charging 10,000 THB per night with 80% occupancy would generate about 240,000 THB in a 30-day month.
Finally, note that we give here all the information you need to buy and rent out a property in Koh Samui.
What's the typical low-season vs high-season monthly revenue in Koh Samui in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Koh Samui Airbnb hosts can expect high-season monthly revenue of 200,000 to 280,000 THB ($6,400 to $9,000, or about 5,900 to 8,300 EUR) versus low-season revenue of 90,000 to 125,000 THB ($2,900 to $4,000, or about 2,700 to 3,700 EUR).
High season in Koh Samui runs from December through February (plus parts of July and August), while low season typically spans May through October when monsoon weather reduces tourist arrivals.
What's a realistic Airbnb monthly expense range in Koh Samui in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, realistic monthly operating expenses for a Koh Samui Airbnb range from 25,000 to 60,000 THB ($800 to $1,900, or about 740 to 1,750 EUR) for owner-managed condos, up to 90,000 to 220,000 THB ($2,900 to $7,000, or about 2,700 to 6,500 EUR) for fully managed pool villas.
The single largest expense category for most Koh Samui Airbnb hosts is property management and maintenance, which can run 30,000 to 80,000 THB ($950 to $2,500, or about 880 to 2,300 EUR) monthly for villas with pools, gardens, and regular cleaning needs.
Koh Samui hosts should typically expect to spend 35% to 55% of gross revenue on operating expenses, with higher percentages for properties requiring intensive upkeep like beachfront villas.
If you want to go into more details, we also have a blog article detailing all the property taxes and fees in Koh Samui.
What's realistic monthly net profit and profit per available night for Airbnb in Koh Samui in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, realistic monthly net profit for a Koh Samui Airbnb ranges from 30,000 to 90,000 THB ($950 to $2,900, or about 880 to 2,700 EUR) for typical listings, which translates to roughly 1,000 to 3,000 THB ($32 to $95, or 30 to 88 EUR) profit per available night.
The realistic monthly net profit range covering most Koh Samui listings falls between 25,000 THB and 140,000 THB ($800 to $4,500, or about 740 to 4,150 EUR), with well-managed villas in prime locations at the higher end.
Net profit margins for Koh Samui Airbnb hosts typically range from 20% to 45%, depending heavily on property type and whether you self-manage or use a property management company.
The break-even occupancy rate for a typical Koh Samui Airbnb listing is around 35% to 45%, meaning you need roughly 11 to 14 booked nights per month just to cover your operating costs.
In our property pack covering the real estate market in Koh Samui, we explain the best strategies to improve your cashflows.
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How competitive is Airbnb in Koh Samui as of 2026?
How many active Airbnb listings are in Koh Samui as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, there are approximately 9,700 active Airbnb and vacation rental listings in Koh Samui, with 77% being entire homes and 22% being private rooms.
This number has grown steadily over recent years as Koh Samui's tourism recovery strengthened, and the long-term trend shows continued supply expansion driven by villa development and condo conversions to short-term rentals.
Which neighborhoods are most saturated in Koh Samui as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the most saturated neighborhoods for Airbnb in Koh Samui are Bophut (including Fisherman's Village), Chaweng, Chaweng Noi, Lamai, Bang Rak, and increasingly Mae Nam.
These neighborhoods became saturated because they sit at the intersection of popular beaches, walkable dining and nightlife, and the bulk of Koh Samui's existing hospitality infrastructure, which naturally attracted both tourists and property investors.
Relatively undersaturated neighborhoods offering better opportunities for new Koh Samui hosts include Lipa Noi, Taling Ngam on the west coast, and Laem Sor in the far south, though these areas require stronger marketing to attract guests seeking tranquility over convenience.
What local events spike demand in Koh Samui in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the main events that spike Airbnb demand in Koh Samui include New Year celebrations (late December through January), Songkran (mid-April), the Koh Samui Regatta (late May to early June), and Full Moon Party weekends on nearby Koh Phangan when visitors base themselves on Samui for comfort.
During these peak events, Koh Samui hosts typically see 20% to 40% increases in booking rates and can push nightly prices 15% to 30% higher than normal periods.
Koh Samui hosts should adjust their pricing and minimum stay requirements at least 4 to 6 weeks before major events to capture early bookers, and should open their calendars for the January peak season by October at the latest.
What occupancy differences exist between top and average hosts in Koh Samui in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, top-performing Airbnb hosts in Koh Samui typically achieve occupancy rates of 70% to 80%, compared to the market average of around 60%.
This 10 to 20 percentage point gap translates to significantly higher annual revenue for top hosts, who succeed by running their rentals like professional hospitality operations with fast responses, airport transfer coordination, and flawless amenities.
A new Koh Samui host can typically reach top-performer occupancy levels within 6 to 12 months if they invest in professional photography, accumulate positive reviews quickly, and maintain competitive pricing during their ramp-up period.
We give more details about the different Airbnb strategies to adopt in our property pack covering the real estate market in Koh Samui.
What amenities do nearly all competitors offer in Koh Samui right now?
As of the first half of 2026, the baseline amenities that nearly all Koh Samui Airbnb listings offer include air conditioning (98%), Wi-Fi (97% to 98%), parking (91%), and television (81%).
Beyond these listed amenities, Koh Samui guests expect strong air conditioning in every sleeping area, reliable hot water with good pressure, and clear check-in instructions given the island's logistics challenges.
To stand out in the Koh Samui market, hosts should consider amenities that go beyond the baseline: dedicated workspaces for remote workers, blackout curtains for families with children, pool safety features, and backup plans for power or water interruptions.
Which price points are most crowded, and where's the "white space" for new hosts in Koh Samui right now?
The nightly price range with the highest concentration of Koh Samui Airbnb listings is 2,500 to 5,600 THB ($80 to $180, or about 74 to 166 EUR) for 1 to 2 bedroom condos and budget villas, plus 5,600 to 9,400 THB ($180 to $300, or about 166 to 277 EUR) for the "default Samui villa" segment.
The "white space" opportunities for new Koh Samui hosts exist in family-friendly 2 to 3 bedroom properties near walkable areas like Bophut and Lamai with genuine kid-friendly setups, and in workation-ready monthly rentals (30+ night stays) with strong Wi-Fi and dedicated desk spaces.
To compete successfully in these underserved segments, a new Koh Samui host should focus on specific guest needs that most listings overlook: real cribs and blackout curtains for families, ergonomic workstations for remote workers, or west-coast sunset positioning in Lipa Noi and Taling Ngam with clear transport guidance.
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What property works best for Airbnb demand in Koh Samui right now?
What bedroom count gets the most bookings in Koh Samui as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, one-bedroom units get the most bookings in Koh Samui by sheer volume, as they make up 44% of all listings and attract couples and solo travelers.
The estimated booking rate breakdown by bedroom count in Koh Samui shows 1-bedroom at about 44% of supply, 2-bedroom at roughly 19%, and 3-bedroom-plus at about 37%, reflecting the island's strong villa presence.
One-bedroom units perform well in booking volume because they match the most common traveler type (couples), but 2 to 3 bedroom properties often deliver better total revenue in Koh Samui because they attract families and groups willing to pay premium rates.
What property type performs best in Koh Samui in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, pool villas are the best-performing property type for Airbnb in Koh Samui in terms of revenue potential, as they align with the island's luxury and wellness tourism positioning.
Occupancy rates in Koh Samui vary by property type, with condos and apartments achieving steady 55% to 65% occupancy at lower price points, while villas typically see 50% to 70% occupancy but at much higher nightly rates that more than compensate.
Villas outperform in Koh Samui because the island's brand is built around private pool experiences, sea views, and tropical living, which is exactly what international visitors expect when they choose Samui over other Thai destinations.
What location traits boost bookings in Koh Samui right now?
As of the first half of 2026, the location traits that boost Airbnb bookings in Koh Samui include being within 5 to 15 minutes of a named beach (Chaweng, Bophut, Choeng Mon, Lamai, Mae Nam), proximity to the airport, and walkability to restaurants and shops.
Sea views and hillside breezes are major booking drivers in Koh Samui, but only if access roads are safe and clearly described in your listing, as steep or poorly maintained roads can generate negative reviews.
The neighborhoods with the strongest booking-boosting traits are Bophut and Fisherman's Village (walkability plus beach), Choeng Mon (quiet luxury), and parts of Chaweng and Lamai (central demand with dining access).
What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Koh Samui, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why it's authoritative | How we used it |
|---|---|---|
| AirDNA | AirDNA is a widely used short-term rental analytics platform with transparent methodology based on scraped listing data from Airbnb and Vrbo. | We used it for Koh Samui active listings, occupancy rates, ADR, bedroom mix, and amenity prevalence. We cross-checked all revenue calculations against their reported metrics. |
| Bank of Thailand | The Bank of Thailand is Thailand's central bank and publishes official daily foreign exchange reference rates. | We used it to convert all USD-based metrics into Thai Baht using the current official interbank rate. We kept all currency examples consistent across the article. |
| C9 Hotelworks Hotel & Tourism Review | C9 Hotelworks is a well-known Thailand hospitality research firm that publishes island-specific metrics and detailed arrival data. | We used it to anchor demand drivers like airport passengers and seasonality patterns. We translated their hotel market seasonality into reasonable short-term rental expectations. |
| C9 Hotelworks Property Market Update | This is a dedicated Koh Samui property market report covering residential supply dynamics and development trends. | We used it to understand what property types are being built and how rental supply is evolving. We used this to explain competition intensity and remaining opportunities. |
| Colliers Thailand | Colliers is a major global real estate consultancy that publishes Koh Samui-specific residential market reports. | We used it to identify prime residential submarkets and understand what product is coming online. We validated neighborhood performance claims against the short-term rental patterns we observed. |
| Tilleke & Gibbins | Tilleke & Gibbins is a top-tier regional law firm that summarizes Thai regulations with clear references to official legal instruments. | We used it to interpret how Thailand's Hotel Act framework applies in practice. We cross-referenced their thresholds with other legal summaries and official Gazette publications. |
| Silk Legal | Silk Legal is a specialist Thai legal practice that provides clear summaries of recent regulatory changes affecting property and hospitality. | We used it to corroborate what changed in the 2023 hotel regulations and what that means for small operators. We only kept points that matched other legal sources. |
| Bangkok Global Law | This is a written legal explainer tied directly to the MOI ministerial regulation and its official Gazette publication timing. | We used it to confirm the updated non-hotel thresholds and compliance framing. We triangulated it with other independent legal summaries for accuracy. |
| Royal Thai Government Gazette | The Royal Thai Government Gazette is the official publication for all Thai laws and ministerial regulations. | We used it as the source of truth for what the law actually says, not just interpretations. We cross-checked all secondary legal explanations against official publications. |
| Thailand Fiscal Policy Office | This is an official government-hosted English translation of Thailand's Land and Buildings Tax Act. | We used it to outline the property tax context that applies to all Koh Samui owners. We kept this high-level and practical for non-professional readers. |
| Bank of Thailand Tourism Indicators | The Bank of Thailand publishes tourism indicators sourced directly from Thailand's tourism authorities. | We used it as a macro reality check that tourism demand is a measurable national economic variable. We kept it as context rather than Samui-specific pricing data. |
| Thailand Government Public Relations Department | This is an official government communications channel that repeats ministry-reported tourism totals and forecasts. | We used it to corroborate the national-level tourism recovery narrative. We did not use it for micro pricing, only for demand context. |
| Reuters (Tourism Arrivals) | Reuters is strict about sourcing and typically cites the Thai tourism ministry directly in their reporting. | We used it to sanity-check national arrivals trends and forecasts. We treated it as macro context rather than local Koh Samui pricing information. |
| Reuters (LTV Policy) | Reuters reports policy changes with clear attribution to the Bank of Thailand and other official sources. | We used it to explain financing conditions that can affect buyer supply and resale liquidity. We kept it as background context, not a promise of specific mortgage terms. |
We created this infographic to give you a simple idea of how much it costs to buy property in different parts of Thailand. As you can see, it breaks down price ranges and property types for popular cities in the country. We hope this makes it easier to explore your options and understand the market.