Frequently asked questions

Koh Samui offers an established tourism market, an international airport and a choice of beachfront, hillside and residential locations. Buyers may be looking for a home, a holiday base or a rental property.

Rental income and resale performance depend on location, purchase price, condition, operating costs and demand. Compare recent transactions and realistic net income projections for the individual property. Foreign freehold ownership is available for qualifying condominium units; different rules apply to villa land.

Foreign buyers can own qualifying condominium units freehold, subject to eligibility requirements and the 49% foreign ownership quota by total unit floor area. Foreign nationals generally cannot own land directly, apart from limited statutory exceptions.

For villas, a registered residential land lease may provide rights for up to 30 years. Building ownership and land rights must be checked separately; further lease terms are not automatic.

A Thai company must meet the applicable ownership and business requirements. Thai nominee shareholders must not be used to bypass foreign land-ownership restrictions. Have an independent Thai property lawyer review the title, ownership structure and contract before paying a deposit.

Official guidance: foreign property ownership and nominee shareholder restrictions.

A Chanote (Nor Sor 4 Jor) is a land title deed recording ownership and surveyed boundaries. A title search should check the registered owner, boundaries, access rights and any mortgages or other encumbrances.

All properties in our sales portfolio carry Chanote title unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Budget for the Land Office transfer fee, withholding tax, specific business tax or stamp duty, and legal fees. Each charge has its own calculation basis; there is no single percentage that applies to every purchase.

The standard transfer fee is 2% of the appraised value, subject to any applicable reductions. Specific business tax is 3.3% including local tax, or stamp duty is generally 0.5% where specific business tax does not apply. Withholding tax depends on whether the seller is an individual or a company. Eligibility, exemptions and the agreed allocation of costs must be checked for the transaction. We model the exact figures for every transaction before contract signing.

From offer accepted to title transfer at the Land Office, the typical timeframe is six to twelve weeks for a straightforward Chanote purchase. Company structures and leasehold arrangements may add further weeks.

Every enquiry is reviewed personally and responded to within 24 hours. We confirm availability with the villa manager directly, then send full payment details and the rental agreement.

No upfront fees. We work on a commission-only basis, payable at successful completion. Professional photography is also prepared at no upfront cost once we agree to proceed with a listing.

Yes. Annual land and building tax depends on the assessed value, the property's use and any exemptions for which the owner qualifies. Primary-residence relief has specific ownership and house-registration conditions; it is not a blanket exemption for every home under THB 50 million. Confirm the current assessment with the local municipality or a qualified tax adviser.