By Phuket News Property · November 26, 2025
Phuket’s condominium market continues to attract significant interest from overseas buyers in 2025. Legal clarity, strong lifestyle demand, and sustained tourism recovery are shaping how international investors and long-stay residents view condominium ownership on the island.
Legal clarity and foreign ownership structure
Condominiums remain one of the most straightforward forms of property ownership available to foreign nationals in Thailand. Under the Thailand Condominium Act, non-Thai buyers may legally hold freehold title to a unit, provided the development has foreign-quota availability. This offers a level of direct ownership that is not possible with land or landed homes.
Other forms of ownership, such as long-term leasehold, protected-use structures, or Thai company arrangements, require more complex legal frameworks. Over the past two years, increased scrutiny from agencies including the DBD, AMLO, CSD, and the Land Department has further strengthened the emphasis on transparent, compliant ownership pathways. As a result, many foreign buyers continue to view condominiums as the safest and most predictable route.
Rising long-stay and digital-nomad demand
Phuket’s long-stay population has expanded significantly since 2023, driven by digital nomads, remote workers, and regional expatriates relocating from Singapore, Hong Kong, Europe, and the Middle East. For many in these groups, condominium living aligns well with the lifestyle they seek convenience, security, on-site facilities, and access to urban-style amenities.
Areas such as Bang Tao, Surin, Cherng Talay, and Kamala have become some of the island’s busiest micro-markets, offering a concentration of co-working spaces, fitness centres, restaurants, and community hubs that appeal to long-stayers and short-term visitors alike.
Tourism recovery and rental occupancy patterns
Tourism numbers continue to trend upward as Phuket approaches pre-pandemic levels of international arrivals. This recovery has supported year-round occupancy in many condominium developments, particularly those located in established coastal zones.
Demand has also diversified. Long-term rentals are increasingly popular among digital workers and regional families, while short-term holiday rentals remain active in tourism-driven areas. Condominiums with established management teams or juristic support often offer more predictable operating costs compared with standalone villas, which require independent maintenance arrangements.
While returns vary widely, observed rental demand in key west-coast markets has remained relatively stable, driven by consistent visitor flows and strong preference for serviced living environments.
Lifestyle and infrastructure improvements
Infrastructure upgrades across Phuket continue to influence buying behaviour. Ongoing improvements in the Cherng Talay corridor, new road links, and enhanced public spaces have strengthened the island’s long-term appeal.
Bang Tao, Layan, Surin, and Cherng Talay remain the island’s most active development hubs, with new mid-range and luxury condominium projects shaping the area’s growth trajectory. However, the south of the island is also seeing steady momentum. Nai Harn and Rawai continue to attract long-stay residents seeking a quieter lifestyle, and smaller-scale condominium projects have re-emerged after a period of limited supply. Kata and Karon are experiencing renewed activity as tourism stabilises, although the pace remains more measured compared with the west-coast luxury corridor.
These regional differences offer buyers a range of environments, from bustling lifestyle zones to quieter residential neighbourhoods.
Market supply and price movements
Construction costs, land scarcity, particularly on the west coast, and higher demand for compliant developments have contributed to price adjustments across Phuket’s condominium market. Foreign-freehold units in completed buildings continue to command a premium due to limited supply and consistent demand from overseas buyers.
The pipeline for 2025-2027 includes a mix of boutique developments, branded residences, and larger mixed-use projects. Developers have increasingly focused on regulatory compliance, improved building standards, and long-term maintenance planning, responding to buyer preferences for transparency and quality.
What buyers should be aware of in 2025
While condominium ownership remains straightforward compared with other structures, buyers should remain aware of several practical considerations. Foreign-quota availability can vary between projects, and waiting lists are becoming more common in high-demand areas. Due diligence remains essential, especially regarding building management, juristic-person governance, sinking-fund contributions, and the overall financial health of a development.
Market expectations around rental income should also be grounded in realistic assumptions, as performance can differ significantly based on location, seasonality, and building management.
