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 behaves less like a typical Thai housing market and more like a tourism-driven resort island where prices, yields, and resale liquidity vary dramatically from one street to the next.
This guide breaks down every neighborhood on the island so you can make an informed decision based on real data, not marketing brochures.
We constantly update this blog post to reflect the latest market conditions and fresh data from authoritative sources.
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
What's the Current Real Estate Market Situation by Area in Koh Samui?
Which areas in Koh Samui have the highest property prices per square meter in 2026?
As of early 2026, the three most expensive areas for property in Koh Samui are Choeng Mon, Plai Laem, and Bang Rak, all located within the Bo Phut subdistrict on the island's northeast coast where airport proximity and sea views drive premium pricing.
In these prime Koh Samui locations, condo prices typically range from 110,000 to 180,000 Thai baht per square meter, with the highest figures found in boutique sea-view developments near Choeng Mon beach and the Big Buddha temple area.
Each of these expensive Koh Samui neighborhoods commands high prices for specific reasons:
- Choeng Mon: limited buildable beachfront land surrounded by luxury resorts creates genuine scarcity
- Plai Laem: bay views plus Big Buddha temple proximity make it popular for both living and short-term rentals
- Bang Rak: closest residential area to Samui Airport with marina access and ferry connections to Koh Phangan
- Fisherman's Village (Bophut): walkable beachfront strip with restaurants and night market draws year-round foot traffic
Which areas in Koh Samui have the most affordable property prices in 2026?
As of early 2026, the most affordable property prices in Koh Samui are found in Nathon town (Ang Thong subdistrict), inland Na Mueang villages, off-beach pockets in Lipa Noi, and the southern edges of Taling Ngam.
In these budget-friendly Koh Samui areas, you can find condos and older houses at roughly 50,000 to 80,000 Thai baht per square meter, which is about half the price of the premium northeast coast locations.
However, each of these affordable Koh Samui neighborhoods comes with trade-offs: Nathon has a working port-town feel with fewer holiday amenities, Na Mueang has flood-sensitive low-lying areas requiring careful due diligence, Lipa Noi offers calm west-coast sunsets but slower resale liquidity, and Taling Ngam has beautiful scenery but limited road access and fewer daily services.
You can also read our latest analysis regarding housing prices in Koh Samui.
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.
Which Areas in Koh Samui Offer the Best Rental Yields?
Which neighborhoods in Koh Samui have the highest gross rental yields in 2026?
As of early 2026, the Koh Samui neighborhoods delivering the strongest gross rental yields are Chaweng Noi access areas (around 6 to 8 percent for condos), Fisherman's Village in Bophut (5 to 7 percent), Bang Rak near Big Buddha (5 to 7 percent), and Mae Nam's north coast pockets toward Ban Tai (5 to 7 percent for family villas).
Across Koh Samui as a whole, typical gross rental yields range from about 4 percent on premium beachfront villas to 8 percent on well-located condos, though your actual return depends heavily on property management quality and whether you focus on short-term or long-term rentals.
Each of these high-yield Koh Samui neighborhoods outperforms for specific reasons:
- Chaweng Noi access pockets: spillover demand from main beach without the noise, popular with remote workers year-round
- Fisherman's Village (Bophut): walkable dining and night market scene keeps occupancy stable even in shoulder season
- Bang Rak and Big Buddha: airport and ferry proximity attracts expats who want easy travel off the island
- Mae Nam toward Ban Tai: lower entry prices than Bophut with growing demand from families seeking quieter lifestyle
Finally, please note that we cover the rental yields in Koh Samui here.
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Which Areas in Koh Samui Are Best for Short-Term Vacation Rentals?
Which neighborhoods in Koh Samui perform best on Airbnb in 2026?
As of early 2026, the Koh Samui neighborhoods with the strongest Airbnb performance are Chaweng and Chaweng Noi (main beach with nightlife), Fisherman's Village in Bophut (walkable dining scene), Choeng Mon and Plai Laem (premium sea-view positioning), and Lamai in the Maret subdistrict (big beach attracting a different guest profile).
Top-performing Airbnb properties in these Koh Samui vacation rental hotspots typically generate between 60,000 and 200,000 Thai baht per month during peak season, though shoulder season revenues can drop significantly depending on your property's quality and pricing strategy.
Each of these best-performing Koh Samui Airbnb areas succeeds for specific reasons:
- Chaweng and Chaweng Noi: strongest "main beach plus nightlife" magnet for groups and couples seeking action
- Fisherman's Village (Bophut): walkable evening atmosphere with restaurants and weekly night market appeals to families
- Choeng Mon and Plai Laem: higher average daily rates thanks to sea-view villas and quiet luxury positioning
- Lamai (Maret): large beach destination that attracts budget-conscious travelers when priced competitively
By the way, we also have a blog article detailing whether owning an Airbnb rental is profitable in Koh Samui.
Which tourist areas in Koh Samui are becoming oversaturated with short-term rentals?
The Koh Samui areas showing the clearest signs of short-term rental oversaturation are central Chaweng strip, the broader Bophut area outside the true Fisherman's Village walkability pocket, and the Lamai core where significant villa inventory has been added in recent years.
In these oversaturated Koh Samui vacation rental zones, competition is intense because C9 Hotelworks documented a 34 percent year-on-year increase in independent villa rentals as of January 2025, meaning many more listings are now chasing the same pool of guests.
The clearest warning sign that these Koh Samui areas have reached saturation is that average properties must compete primarily on price during shoulder season, while only truly standout units with exceptional views, design, or walkable location maintain strong occupancy year-round.
We have made this infographic to give you a quick and clear snapshot of the property market in Thailand. It highlights key facts like rental prices, yields, and property costs both in city centers and outside, so you can easily compare opportunities. We’ve done some research and also included useful insights about the country’s economy, like GDP, population, and interest rates, to help you understand the bigger picture.
Which Areas in Koh Samui Are Best for Long-Term Rentals?
Which neighborhoods in Koh Samui have the strongest demand for long-term tenants?
The Koh Samui neighborhoods with the strongest long-term rental demand are the Bophut inland-to-coast corridor including Fisherman's Village access roads, Bang Rak and Big Buddha area, Chaweng Noi access pockets, and Mae Nam especially toward Ban Tai and Bang Por.
In these high-demand Koh Samui long-term rental areas, well-priced properties typically rent within two to four weeks, while less desirable locations or overpriced units can sit vacant for months during shoulder season.
Different tenant profiles drive demand in each of these Koh Samui neighborhoods:
- Bophut corridor: remote workers and expats who want walkable restaurants plus easy beach access
- Bang Rak and Big Buddha: frequent travelers who value quick airport access and ferry connections
- Chaweng Noi access: families and digital nomads seeking sea views without central Chaweng noise
- Mae Nam toward Ban Tai: families with children who prefer a quieter north coast lifestyle
What makes these Koh Samui neighborhoods especially attractive to long-term tenants is their combination of practical daily conveniences like hospitals, supermarkets, and reliable internet, plus easy access to the airport and ferry terminals for travel off the island.
Finally, please note that we provide a very granular rental analysis in our property pack about Koh Samui.
What are the average long-term monthly rents by neighborhood in Koh Samui in 2026?
As of early 2026, long-term monthly rents in Koh Samui vary dramatically by neighborhood, with one-bedroom condos in Bo Phut starting around 18,000 Thai baht and premium three-bedroom pool villas in Choeng Mon reaching over 250,000 Thai baht.
In the most affordable Koh Samui neighborhoods like parts of Mae Nam and inland Lamai, entry-level one to two bedroom apartments typically rent for 15,000 to 35,000 Thai baht per month.
In mid-range Koh Samui areas like the broader Bophut zone and Chaweng Noi access roads, two-bedroom condos and smaller villas typically command 35,000 to 80,000 Thai baht per month.
In the most expensive Koh Samui neighborhoods like Choeng Mon, Plai Laem, and Fisherman's Village beachfront, three-bedroom pool villas typically rent for 120,000 to 250,000 Thai baht per month, with exceptional properties commanding even higher figures.
You may want to check our latest analysis about the rents in Koh Samui here.
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Which Are the Up-and-Coming Areas to Invest in Koh Samui?
Which neighborhoods in Koh Samui are gentrifying and attracting new investors in 2026?
As of early 2026, the Koh Samui neighborhoods showing the clearest gentrification signals are Bang Por on the north coast expansion zone (Mae Nam side), the edges of Nathon town in Ang Thong, and off-beach residential pockets in Lipa Noi where new cafes, gyms, and quality villas are gradually appearing.
These gentrifying Koh Samui areas have not yet published official appreciation rates, but market observers suggest properties in improving pockets like Bang Por are seeing 5 to 10 percent annual value gains as lifestyle infrastructure spreads from the established northeast coast.
Which areas in Koh Samui have major infrastructure projects planned that will boost prices?
The Koh Samui areas most likely to benefit from infrastructure development are Bang Rak, Plai Laem, and Choeng Mon (all leveraged to airport and tourism growth), plus Nathon which could see upside if cruise-related visitor flows expand as planned.
The specific infrastructure catalysts for Koh Samui property prices include Bangkok Airways continuing to control and expand air access to the island, plus a new cruise route that commenced in April 2025 with plans to scale cruise tourism activity over time according to C9 Hotelworks research.
Historically in Koh Samui, areas that benefit from improved access and tourism infrastructure have seen property prices rise by roughly 10 to 20 percent over the following two to three years, though results vary significantly based on specific location and property quality.
You'll find our latest property market analysis about Koh Samui here.
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.
Which Areas in Koh Samui Should I Avoid as a Property Investor?
Which neighborhoods in Koh Samui with lots of problems I should avoid and why?
The Koh Samui areas that present the most problems for foreign property investors are low-lying inland parts of Na Mueang, remote deep-south hillside pockets in Taling Ngam and southern Na Mueang edges, and any hillside sea-view plots marketed as "bargains" where title or lease structure seems unclear.
Each of these problematic Koh Samui areas has specific issues you need to understand:
- Low-lying Na Mueang valleys: flood sensitivity impacts insurance costs, maintenance expenses, and resale value
- Remote Taling Ngam hillsides: steep access roads, limited utilities, and very few comparable sales for pricing
- Cheap sea-view plots island-wide: often involve fragile lease structures exceeding legal 30-year caps or unclear land titles
For any of these problematic Koh Samui areas to become viable investments, you would need to see significant infrastructure improvements like proper drainage systems in Na Mueang, paved road access in remote south areas, and much stricter enforcement of land title regulations across the island.
Buying a property in the wrong neighborhood is one of the mistakes we cover in our list of risks and pitfalls people face when buying property in Koh Samui.
Which areas in Koh Samui have stagnant or declining property prices as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the Koh Samui areas most likely experiencing price stagnation are commodity condos in locations marketed as "near Chaweng" or "near Bophut" but without true walkability, inland pockets of Ang Thong and Na Mueang with limited tenant demand, and properties with unresolved issues like flood exposure or unclear lease structures.
While Koh Samui lacks official neighborhood-level sold-price data, market observers suggest these underperforming areas have seen flat or slightly negative price movement over the past two to three years, underperforming the prime northeast coast by roughly 5 to 15 percent in relative terms.
Each of these stagnant Koh Samui areas has specific causes for its price weakness:
- Commodity condos in broad Bophut or Lamai: new supply keeps arriving, creating sameness and price competition
- Inland Ang Thong and Na Mueang: lack of clear tenant base means lower liquidity and longer selling times
- Properties with diligence issues: educated buyers increasingly discount flood risk and lease structure problems
Buying real estate in Koh Samui can be risky
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Which Areas in Koh Samui Have the Best Long-Term Appreciation Potential?
Which areas in Koh Samui have historically appreciated the most recently?
The Koh Samui areas that have shown the strongest price appreciation over the past five to ten years are Lamai in the Maret subdistrict, Chaweng and Chaweng Noi, Bophut including Fisherman's Village, and the Choeng Mon to Plai Laem premium pocket.
Each of these top-performing Koh Samui areas has achieved different appreciation levels:
- Choeng Mon and Plai Laem: roughly 8 to 12 percent annually thanks to genuine scarcity and premium positioning
- Fisherman's Village (Bophut): around 6 to 10 percent annually driven by lifestyle appeal and strong resale liquidity
- Chaweng and Chaweng Noi: approximately 5 to 8 percent annually as the island's main tourism magnet
- Lamai (Maret): about 4 to 7 percent annually with steady beach destination demand
The main driver behind above-average appreciation in these Koh Samui areas is their combination of strong rental demand from tourists and expats, easy resale to the next foreign buyer, and convenient access to Samui Airport which Bangkok Airways controls as a private facility.
By the way, you will find much more detailed trends and forecasts in our pack covering there is to know about buying a property in Koh Samui.
Which neighborhoods in Koh Samui are expected to see price growth in coming years?
The Koh Samui neighborhoods most likely to see continued price growth in coming years are Choeng Mon and Plai Laem (scarcity plus premium positioning), Fisherman's Village walkability pocket (lifestyle moat), Chaweng Noi with excellent access (view-led but quality-dependent), and Bang Por on the north coast (value re-rating as amenities spread).
Each of these high-potential Koh Samui neighborhoods has different projected growth expectations:
- Choeng Mon and Plai Laem: likely 6 to 10 percent annually if tourism momentum continues
- Fisherman's Village (Bophut): probably 5 to 8 percent annually given consistent foreign buyer demand
- Chaweng Noi (quality access only): potentially 5 to 8 percent for well-positioned properties with good roads
- Bang Por and Ban Tai (Mae Nam): possibly 4 to 7 percent as value seekers discover the north coast
The single most important catalyst expected to drive future price growth in these Koh Samui neighborhoods is sustained tourism recovery and expansion, particularly through increased air arrivals to Samui Airport and the new cruise tourism initiative that began in 2025.
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.
What Do Locals and Expats Really Think About Different Areas in Koh Samui?
Which areas in Koh Samui do local residents consider the most desirable to live?
The Koh Samui areas that local residents and long-term expats consider most desirable to live are the Bophut residential corridors with beach access, Mae Nam for its quieter family-oriented atmosphere, and Lamai in the Maret subdistrict for its combination of town amenities and beach lifestyle.
Each of these locally-preferred Koh Samui areas is attractive for specific reasons:
- Bophut corridors: balance of work convenience, hospital access, restaurants, and beach proximity
- Mae Nam: quieter north coast feel with international schools nearby and family-friendly environment
- Lamai (Maret): less intense than Chaweng but still has good restaurants, gyms, and beach access
The typical residents in these desirable Koh Samui neighborhoods tend to be long-term expats running businesses, remote workers who have chosen the island as a base, and Thai families working in tourism or hospitality.
Local preferences in Koh Samui generally align with what smart foreign investors target, since both groups value convenience, good infrastructure, and year-round livability over pure "holiday appeal" that drives short-term rental demand but may not translate to stable long-term value.
Which neighborhoods in Koh Samui have the best reputation among expat communities?
The Koh Samui neighborhoods with the strongest reputation among expat communities are Fisherman's Village and adjacent Bophut areas, Bang Rak near Big Buddha, and Chaweng Noi access pockets for those who want views but prefer quieter surroundings.
Expats prefer these Koh Samui neighborhoods over others for specific reasons:
- Fisherman's Village (Bophut): walkable dining, English-friendly services, and established expat social scene
- Bang Rak and Big Buddha: closest to airport for frequent travelers, marina access, and good cafes
- Chaweng Noi access areas: sea views and proximity to services without central Chaweng noise and traffic
The typical expat profile in these popular Koh Samui neighborhoods includes remote workers and digital nomads, semi-retired business owners, and families with school-age children attending the international schools on the island.
Which areas in Koh Samui do locals say are overhyped by foreign buyers?
The Koh Samui areas that locals and experienced expats often consider overhyped by foreign buyers are properties marketed as "Bophut" that are actually far inland without walkability, central Chaweng for living or investment purposes, and any "sea-view" plot marketed as a bargain without clear title documentation.
Locals believe these Koh Samui areas are overvalued for specific reasons:
- Inland "Bophut" addresses: foreign buyers pay for the Bophut name without getting the walkable lifestyle premium
- Central Chaweng: tourists love it but noise, traffic, and overdevelopment make it less desirable for actual living
- Bargain sea-view plots: often come with lease structure problems or title issues that experienced local buyers avoid
What foreign buyers typically see in these overhyped Koh Samui areas that locals do not value as highly is the "Thailand dream" marketing of beach lifestyle and investment returns, without fully understanding the practical realities of daily living, resale liquidity, and legal ownership constraints.
By the way, we've written a blog article detailing the experience of buying a property as a foreigner in Koh Samui.
Which areas in Koh Samui are considered boring or undesirable by residents?
The Koh Samui areas that residents commonly consider boring or less desirable for living are parts of Nathon and inland Ang Thong with their working-town atmosphere, some deep inland Na Mueang pockets that feel disconnected from island life, and remote southern areas of Taling Ngam requiring long drives for basic services.
Residents find these Koh Samui areas less appealing for specific reasons:
- Nathon and inland Ang Thong: functional port-town feel without the beach lifestyle most people move to Samui for
- Deep inland Na Mueang: beautiful scenery but isolated from restaurants, beaches, and social life
- Remote Taling Ngam: stunning sunsets but inconvenient for daily errands and very limited dining options
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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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bank of Thailand Residential Price Index | Thailand's central bank publishes mortgage-backed housing price data. | We used the Southern region series to anchor regional price trends. We cross-checked whether Koh Samui prices move with or against the wider Thai market. |
| Bank of Thailand Tourism Indicators | Central bank curated macro tourism data used by analysts and policymakers. | We framed the tourism demand backdrop that drives Koh Samui rental income. We calibrated early 2026 demand assumptions using the latest available data. |
| C9 Hotelworks Property Market Update | Long-running Thai hospitality consultancy with disclosed research metrics. | We used their villa supply growth data (34% year-on-year increase) and market value framing. We validated our neighborhood conclusions against their professional dataset. |
| C9 Hotelworks Tourism Review | Triangulates air, cruise, and hotel KPIs that drive island rental performance. | We anchored where tourism demand is coming from and how strong it has been recently. We used cruise development notes to support forward-looking neighborhood calls. |
| Colliers Thailand Koh Samui Report | Global real estate firm with standardized research methodology. | We used their prime submarket identification and new supply projections. We confirmed which areas attract foreign-led demand for resale liquidity. |
| CBRE Thailand Market Outlook | One of the world's largest property consultancies with established methods. | We sanity-checked Thailand-wide real estate conditions affecting Koh Samui. We used it as a macro cross-check beyond purely local island data. |
| AirDNA Ko Samui Overview | Widely used short-term rental analytics provider with consistent methodology. | We used their occupancy (57%) and average daily rate ($266) data as baseline assumptions. We compared theoretical yields against realistic operator performance. |
| DDProperty Koh Samui Listings | One of Thailand's largest property portals with consistent listing metadata. | We extracted asking price and rent examples by neighborhood. We only used portal data after cross-checking with consultancy reports to avoid listing bias. |
| Thailand Property Portal | Long-running Thailand portal that helps validate rent levels by subdistrict. | We triangulated long-term rent bands for Bo Phut and other Koh Samui areas. We used it as a second source to reduce single-portal bias. |
| Thailand Disaster Prevention Department | Official Thai government agency compiling disaster risk information. | We flagged flood-sensitive areas that affect insurance and resale values. We justified "avoid" recommendations for low-lying Koh Samui properties. |
| Siam Legal Thailand Law Library | Established legal publisher reproducing Thai legal text in English. | We referenced foreign ownership constraints under the Condominium Act. We ensured our area advice does not push readers into unregistrable ownership structures. |
| Bangkok Airways Annual Report | Primary disclosure from the company that controls Samui Airport access. | We supported the "air access is a moat" argument with governance-quality data. We justified why airport-adjacent neighborhoods keep a liquidity premium. |
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