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
Koh Samui is Thailand's second-largest island and one of Southeast Asia's most sought-after destinations for foreign property buyers looking to own a piece of tropical paradise.
However, understanding residential land prices on this island requires navigating a unique combination of local measurement systems, foreign ownership restrictions, and significant price variations between beachfront and inland areas.
We constantly update this blog post to provide you with the most current data and insights available.
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
How much does residential land usually cost in Koh Samui?
What is the average residential land price per sqm in Koh Samui in 2026?
As of early 2026, the average price for typical buildable residential land in Koh Samui sits between 8,000 and 18,000 THB per sqm, which translates to roughly $235 to $530 USD or €215 to €485 EUR per sqm.
The realistic price range that covers most residential land transactions in Koh Samui spans from around 5,000 THB ($145 USD / €135 EUR) per sqm for basic inland plots all the way up to 60,000 THB ($1,765 USD / €1,620 EUR) per sqm for premium near-beach locations.
The single factor that most significantly causes residential land prices to vary in Koh Samui is proximity to the beach combined with the quality of the land title, because a Chanote title (the strongest form of ownership) on a walkable-to-beach plot can command five to ten times more than a similar-sized plot with weaker documentation just a few kilometers inland.
Compared to neighboring Phuket, Koh Samui land prices are generally 30% to 50% lower for equivalent locations, and compared to nearby Koh Phangan, Samui commands a premium of roughly 20% to 40% due to its more developed infrastructure and international airport.
By the way, we have much more granular data about property prices in our property pack about Koh Samui.
What is the cheapest price range for residential land in Koh Samui in 2026?
As of early 2026, the cheapest price range for buildable residential land in Koh Samui falls between 1,500 and 5,000 THB per sqm, which equals approximately $45 to $145 USD or €40 to €135 EUR per sqm.
At the opposite end, buyers should expect to pay between 70,000 and 150,000 THB per sqm ($2,060 to $4,410 USD / €1,890 to €4,050 EUR) for true beachfront residential land in premium areas like Chaweng, Bophut, or Choeng Mon.
The key trade-offs that come with purchasing land at the cheapest price range in Koh Samui typically include steep hillside terrain requiring expensive retaining walls, poor or unpaved road access, lack of existing electricity or water infrastructure, and in some cases, weaker land titles that complicate future resale or development.
Buyers are most likely to find these cheapest residential land options in areas like interior Na Mueang, the hillier parts of Ang Thong, and remote sections of Taling Ngam that sit far from the ring road and tourist amenities.
How much budget do I need to buy a buildable plot in Koh Samui in 2026?
As of early 2026, the minimum budget needed to purchase a standard buildable plot in Koh Samui starts at around 3.2 million THB, which equals approximately $94,000 USD or €86,500 EUR for a basic 400 sqm inland plot.
This minimum budget would typically cover a small villa plot of 400 to 500 sqm in a non-prime location such as interior Maenam or the hills behind Lamai, where you would have enough space for a modest two-bedroom home with a small garden.
A realistic mid-range budget for a well-located buildable plot in Koh Samui, meaning one with good road access, utilities nearby, and within reasonable distance of beaches and amenities, sits between 6 million and 15 million THB ($175,000 to $440,000 USD / €162,000 to €405,000 EUR) for plots of 600 to 1,000 sqm in areas like Bophut, Maenam, or the outskirts of Chaweng.
You can also check here what kind of properties you could get with similar budgets in Koh Samui.
Are residential land prices rising or falling in Koh Samui in 2026?
As of early 2026, residential land prices in Koh Samui have been experiencing moderate upward pressure of roughly 5% to 10% year-over-year in prime areas, though inland locations have remained more stable with increases closer to 2% to 4%.
Over the past five years, Koh Samui residential land prices have followed a generally upward trend, with a brief slowdown during 2020-2021 due to pandemic-related tourism disruptions, followed by a strong recovery starting in late 2022 as international visitors returned to the island.
The single economic factor most responsible for the current price trend in Koh Samui is the sustained recovery in international tourism arrivals, particularly from European and Middle Eastern markets, which has driven demand for both vacation homes and rental investment properties, as documented in hospitality research by C9 Hotelworks.
Want to know more? You'll find our latest property market analysis about Koh Samui here.
Thinking of buying real estate in Koh Samui?
Acquiring property in a different country is a complex task. Don't fall into common traps – grab our guide and make better decisions.
How are residential land prices measured and compared in Koh Samui?
Are residential lands priced per sqm, acre, or hectare in Koh Samui?
The most commonly used unit of measurement for pricing residential land in Koh Samui is the Thai square wah, though international listings often convert to square meters for foreign buyers.
The key conversion factors buyers should know are that 1 square wah equals 4 square meters, 1 ngan equals 100 square wah or 400 sqm, and 1 rai equals 400 square wah or 1,600 sqm, which is roughly 0.4 acres or 0.16 hectares.
For foreign buyers accustomed to acres or hectares, the Thai system can feel unfamiliar at first, but once you remember that 1 rai is approximately 0.4 acres, comparing prices becomes straightforward since most residential plots in Koh Samui range from a quarter rai (400 sqm) to 2 rai (3,200 sqm).
What land size is considered normal for a house in Koh Samui?
The typical plot size for a standard single-family villa in Koh Samui ranges from 400 to 800 sqm, which is roughly one-quarter to one-half rai in local terms.
The realistic range of plot sizes that covers most residential properties in Koh Samui extends from 300 sqm for compact modern villas up to 1,600 sqm (one full rai) for larger family estates with pools and landscaped gardens.
Local building regulations in Koh Samui generally require a minimum plot size of around 200 to 400 sqm depending on the zone, though practical buildability often demands larger plots due to setback requirements, slope considerations, and the need for drainage and septic systems on island terrain.
How do urban and rural residential land prices differ in Koh Samui in 2026?
As of early 2026, the price difference between prime tourist corridor land and remote inland residential land in Koh Samui can range from 8,000 to 25,000 THB per sqm ($235 to $735 USD / €215 to €675 EUR) in popular areas like Chaweng or Bophut, compared to just 2,000 to 5,000 THB per sqm ($60 to $145 USD / €55 to €135 EUR) in rural interior zones.
Buyers typically pay a premium of 50% to 100% or more for fully serviced land with existing electricity, water, paved road access, and drainage compared to unserviced plots that require the buyer to fund these improvements.
The single infrastructure factor that most significantly drives the price gap between prime and remote land in Koh Samui is proximity to the ring road combined with existing utility connections, because plots more than 500 meters from the main road often face substantial additional costs for road construction, power line extensions, and water solutions that can add millions of baht to total project costs.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Thailand versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
What location factors affect residential land prices in Koh Samui?
Which areas have the most expensive residential land in Koh Samui in 2026?
As of early 2026, the most expensive residential land in Koh Samui is found in Chaweng and Chaweng Noi at 25,000 to 80,000 THB per sqm ($735 to $2,350 USD / €675 to €2,160 EUR), Bophut and Fisherman's Village at 20,000 to 60,000 THB per sqm ($590 to $1,765 USD / €540 to €1,620 EUR), and Choeng Mon at 25,000 to 70,000 THB per sqm ($735 to $2,060 USD / €675 to €1,890 EUR), with beachfront parcels in any of these areas reaching 100,000 to 150,000 THB per sqm or higher.
The single characteristic these expensive areas share is their combination of direct beach access or beach proximity, established expatriate communities with international restaurants and services, and proven rental income potential that attracts investors seeking returns from the short-term villa rental market.
The typical buyer purchasing residential land in these premium Koh Samui areas is a European or Middle Eastern high-net-worth individual in their 40s to 60s seeking either a vacation home with rental income potential or a retirement property with proximity to international-standard amenities and healthcare.
Prices in these top areas have continued their gradual rise through early 2026, supported by limited supply of remaining beachfront parcels and sustained demand from international buyers, though the rate of appreciation has moderated compared to the rapid increases seen in 2023-2024.
Which areas offer the cheapest residential land in Koh Samui in 2026?
As of early 2026, the cheapest residential land in Koh Samui is found in interior Na Mueang at 1,500 to 4,000 THB per sqm ($45 to $120 USD / €40 to €110 EUR), the hillier parts of Ang Thong at 2,000 to 5,000 THB per sqm ($60 to $145 USD / €55 to €135 EUR), and remote sections of Taling Ngam away from the coast at 2,500 to 6,000 THB per sqm ($75 to $175 USD / €70 to €160 EUR).
The common drawback these affordable areas typically share is their distance from beaches and tourist infrastructure, often combined with challenging topography that requires significant investment in access roads, retaining walls, and utility connections before construction can begin.
Some of these cheaper areas, particularly parts of Taling Ngam near the proposed bridge landing zone and certain sections of Na Mueang with improving road access, are showing early signs of future price appreciation as infrastructure improvements gradually reach these previously overlooked locations.
Are future infrastructure projects affecting land prices in Koh Samui in 2026?
As of early 2026, announced infrastructure projects are already influencing residential land prices in affected areas of Koh Samui, with landowners near the proposed bridge landing zone in Taling Ngam and along potential access corridors beginning to price in expected future connectivity improvements.
The two major infrastructure projects currently influencing Koh Samui land prices are the proposed Samui Sea Bridge connecting the island to mainland Nakhon Si Thammarat (with construction potentially starting in 2028 and completion targeted for 2033-2034) and the planned international cruise terminal in Nathon with a 2032 target completion.
In areas directly adjacent to these announced projects, buyers have observed speculative price increases of 10% to 25% above what comparable land in non-affected zones would command, though these premiums remain volatile as project timelines continue to shift through the approval process.
Get fresh and reliable information about the market in Koh Samui
Don't base significant investment decisions on outdated data. Get updated and accurate information with our guide.
How do people actually negotiate and judge prices in Koh Samui?
Do buyers usually negotiate residential land prices in Koh Samui?
The typical discount percentage buyers can realistically negotiate off the asking price for residential land in Koh Samui ranges from 5% to 15%, with motivated sellers sometimes accepting 20% or more below their initial ask, particularly for plots that have been on the market for extended periods.
Sellers are most willing to negotiate on price in Koh Samui when they face time pressure such as needing funds for another investment, when the land has been listed for more than six months without serious offers, or when the buyer can demonstrate they are a cash purchaser ready to complete quickly without financing complications.
To better negotiate, you need to understand how things are being done in this place. That's why we have built our our pack covering the property buying process in Koh Samui.
Do foreigners usually pay higher land prices in Koh Samui?
The estimated percentage premium that foreigners typically pay compared to locals for residential land in Koh Samui ranges from 10% to 30%, though this varies significantly based on the buyer's preparation, local knowledge, and choice of advisors.
The main reason foreigners often end up paying more for land in Koh Samui is not legal discrimination but rather a combination of shopping primarily in premium tourist-oriented areas where prices are inherently higher, lacking access to local market intelligence about comparable recent sales, and sometimes paying for convenience through turnkey packages that bundle advisory fees into the land price.
Using a reputable local representative or lawyer can help foreigners get fairer prices in Koh Samui, but only if that advisor genuinely represents the buyer's interests rather than receiving commissions from sellers, making independent due diligence and price verification through multiple sources essential regardless of representation.
Now, you might want to read our updated list of common traps foreigners fall into when purchasing real estate in Koh Samui.
Are private sellers cheaper than developers in Koh Samui?
The estimated price difference between buying residential land from private sellers versus developers in Koh Samui typically shows private sellers pricing 10% to 25% lower per sqm, though the total cost of ownership may be similar once site preparation is factored in.
The advantage developers typically offer that may justify their higher prices in Koh Samui is delivering already-subdivided plots with completed road access, legal electricity connections, water solutions in place, and often pre-approved building permits, which removes the substantial time delay and unpredictable costs of obtaining these independently on the island.
The risk buyers face more often when purchasing from private sellers in Koh Samui is discovering after purchase that the land has unclear access rights across neighboring properties, that the advertised utility connections require expensive extensions, or that the actual buildable area is significantly smaller than expected due to slope setbacks and drainage easements that weren't disclosed.
How transparent are residential land transactions in Koh Samui?
The estimated level of transparency for residential land transactions in Koh Samui is moderate, with strong formal documentation systems through the Land Department but practical challenges around access rights, actual utility availability, and the gap between advertised features and on-ground reality.
Official land registries and transaction records are publicly accessible in Koh Samui through the local Land Office, where buyers can verify title deed authenticity, ownership history, any registered encumbrances, and the official boundaries, though this process requires Thai language capability or a trusted translator.
The most common transparency issue buyers should be aware of in Koh Samui is the discrepancy between what listing photos and seller descriptions suggest about road access, sea views, and development potential versus what actual site visits and technical surveys reveal about slopes, drainage challenges, and neighboring construction that may block views or access.
The due diligence step most essential for verifying accurate pricing and ownership in Koh Samui is commissioning an independent title search and site survey through a lawyer or surveyor who does not have a financial relationship with the seller or listing agent, ensuring they physically verify boundaries, access rights, and the current Treasury Department appraisal value.
We cover everything there is to know about the land buying process in Koh Samui here.
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.
What extra costs should I budget beyond land price in Koh Samui?
What taxes apply when buying residential land in Koh Samui in 2026?
As of early 2026, the total tax and fee percentage buyers should expect to pay when purchasing residential land in Koh Samui typically ranges from 2.5% to 7% of the property's appraised value or sale price (whichever is higher), depending on seller circumstances and how costs are negotiated between parties.
The specific individual taxes that make up this total include the 2% transfer fee (often split between buyer and seller), either a 3.3% Specific Business Tax (if the seller owned less than five years) or a 0.5% stamp duty (if owned longer), plus a variable withholding tax on the seller's capital gain that is typically the seller's responsibility but may factor into price negotiations.
There are recurring annual property taxes after purchase in Koh Samui under the Land and Building Tax Act, with residential land taxed at progressive rates starting from 0.02% to 0.1% of assessed value depending on property value and usage, though vacant undeveloped land may face higher rates to discourage speculation.
The reduced transfer fee of 0.01% currently available for properties under 7 million THB applies only to Thai nationals through June 30, 2026, meaning foreign buyers remain subject to the standard 2% transfer fee regardless of property value.
Our our pack about real estate in Koh Samui will surely help you minimize these costs.
What are typical notary or legal fees for land purchases in Koh Samui?
The typical legal fee range for a standard residential land purchase in Koh Samui runs from 30,000 to 100,000 THB ($880 to $2,940 USD / €810 to €2,700 EUR) for due diligence, contract review, and closing representation, with more complex hillside or beachfront transactions commanding fees at the higher end or beyond.
The land registration cost buyers should budget in Koh Samui is the 2% transfer fee calculated on the official appraised value or sale price (whichever is higher), which for a typical 10 million THB plot would equal 200,000 THB ($5,880 USD / €5,400 EUR) if borne entirely by the buyer, though this is often negotiated to be split with the seller.
Legal fees in Koh Samui are typically calculated as a combination of flat rates for standard services (title search, contract drafting) plus a small percentage of transaction value (usually 0.5% to 1.5%) for comprehensive representation through closing, though some lawyers offer all-inclusive packages for straightforward transactions.
How much does land maintenance cost before construction in Koh Samui?
The typical annual maintenance cost for an undeveloped residential plot in Koh Samui ranges from 20,000 to 80,000 THB ($590 to $2,350 USD / €540 to €2,160 EUR) for a standard flat plot, with hillside land potentially requiring 100,000 THB or more annually for erosion control and vegetation management during rainy season.
The specific maintenance tasks usually required before construction in Koh Samui include regular brush clearing (tropical vegetation grows rapidly), drainage channel maintenance to prevent erosion, basic fencing or boundary markers, and occasionally security patrols if the land is in a remote area where materials theft is a concern.
Owners do not typically face formal government fines for neglecting land maintenance in Koh Samui, but poorly maintained vacant land can create practical problems including boundary disputes with neighbors who encroach on overgrown plots, increased fire risk during dry season, and potentially higher Land and Building Tax assessments for land classified as "unused" rather than actively maintained for future residential development.
Do permits and studies significantly increase total land cost in Koh Samui?
The estimated total cost of permits and required studies for a standard residential plot in Koh Samui ranges from 50,000 to 200,000 THB ($1,470 to $5,880 USD / €1,350 to €5,400 EUR) for straightforward flat land, but can reach 300,000 to 500,000 THB or more for hillside plots requiring detailed engineering and environmental assessments.
These permit and study costs typically represent 1% to 5% of the land purchase price for normal residential plots, though for challenging hillside sites with retaining wall requirements, the pre-construction study costs can climb to 10% or more of land value.
The specific permits and studies mandatory before construction can begin in Koh Samui include a topographic survey, soil and foundation engineering report for structural design, building permit application through the local municipality, and in some zones environmental impact assessments, particularly for larger developments or plots near protected watershed areas.
The permit and study process typically takes 3 to 6 months in Koh Samui for standard residential construction, though complex projects or those requiring environmental review can extend to 9 to 12 months, making it important to factor this timeline into your overall development planning.
Get to know the market before buying a property in Koh Samui
Better information leads to better decisions. Get all the data you need before investing a large amount of money. Download our guide.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Treasury Department Official Appraisal System | It's the Thai government's official system for land valuations used in taxes and registration. | We used it as the baseline for official land values by area and road in Koh Samui. We then adjusted these figures upward to reflect the known gap between appraisal and market prices. |
| DDproperty Koh Samui Listings | It's one of Thailand's largest property portals with transparent asking prices and land sizes. | We analyzed hundreds of active listings to identify realistic asking price ranges per sqm across different Koh Samui neighborhoods. We treated these as market indicators to compare against official appraisals. |
| Thailand-Property Portal | It's a long-running international portal that states average prices per sqm from its listings. | We used it as a cross-reference for typical listing-derived averages. We compared its data with DDproperty and Dot Property to ensure our estimates weren't skewed by any single source. |
| C9 Hotelworks Samui Market Review | It's a respected hospitality research firm providing data-heavy reporting on Samui's tourism economy. | We used it to understand how tourism demand drives residential land prices in prime areas. We connected their arrival data to explain why beachfront land maintains premium pricing. |
| Asia Property Awards Market Analysis | It's an authoritative regional property publication providing detailed market statistics. | We referenced their Samui market valuation data and buyer demographic insights. We used their median price figures to validate our own estimates from listing analysis. |
| Forbes and Partners Transfer Cost Guide | It's a reputable Thai legal firm providing detailed breakdowns of property transaction costs. | We used their tax and fee calculations to provide accurate closing cost estimates. We verified their figures against other legal sources for consistency. |
| Thailand Government Portal - Foreign Ownership | It's an official government source explaining legal restrictions on foreign property ownership. | We used it to explain the ownership limitations foreigners face in Thailand. We framed all pricing discussions with this legal context in mind. |
| Bangkok Post Bridge Project Reporting | It's Thailand's leading English-language newspaper covering government infrastructure plans. | We used their reporting to explain how major infrastructure announcements affect land sentiment. We included their timeline data for the proposed Samui bridge project. |
| Bank of Thailand Property Price Index | It's Thailand's central bank providing official methodology for land price tracking. | We used it for broader Thailand market trend context. We explained how national indexes are constructed while noting Samui requires local triangulation for accurate pricing. |
| Fiscal Policy Office Land Tax Documentation | It's the Ministry of Finance's official documentation of Thailand's annual land tax law. | We used it to explain the legal basis for recurring property taxes. We outlined what annual holding costs buyers should expect before construction. |
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Thailand compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.