Thailand real estate prices in 2026

According to Trading Economics, the house price index in Thailand increased from 164.30 points in November 2024 to 165 points in December 2024, reaching its all-time high since 2011. Foreign demand remains a key driver of activity in the Thai housing market, while the participation of local buyers is declining due to weakened purchasing power and limited access to mortgage loans. At the same time, the impact of government stimulus measures is not yet fully manifested.

According to the Global Property Guide, the price index for detached houses in the country increased by 2.55% year-on-year, while the price index for townhouses increased by 3.53% over the same period. The exchange rate of the baht ranged from 31–37 baht per US dollar, with an average annual exchange rate of 35 baht per dollar. In 2024, buyers from China, Myanmar, and Russia are showing the greatest activity in the Thai real estate market.

The price of high-quality real estate in Thailand starts from 100–140 thousand dollars. For this price, you can buy furnished apartments from 20 square metres in a popular tourist destination with good infrastructure or a hotel room under construction. The cost per square metre in apartments starts from 2,200 dollars.

Villa prices start at 200 thousand dollars, which is the starting price of a small two-bedroom apartment in a gated community under construction. The cost per square metre for this type of property starts from 1,500 dollars.

Phuket Real Estate

Phuket Island is a favourite vacation destination among fans of diving, water-skiing, windsurfing, and yachting. Residential property prices in Phuket in 2022 are on average 1,800–4,200 dollars per square metre. Prices for studios with an area of about 30 square metres in new buildings start from 100 thousand dollars on average, while one-bedroom apartments start from 130 thousand dollars.

In recent years, apartment hotels and large resort villages with indoor infrastructure have been built in Phuket: swimming pools, parks, gyms, playgrounds, coworking spaces, shops, and restaurants.

Phuket’s most famous beaches are the premium Bang Tao with Laguna City, the fast-paced Kamala coast, and the vibrant and bustling Patong. There are also cosy resort beaches suitable for family holidays — Karon, Kata, and Surin. The northern beaches of Mai Khao and Nai Yang are located next to the reserve, they are quiet and secluded, they have all the necessary infrastructure for life, but prices are cheaper.

It is convenient to live for a long time in the Rawai beach area. The area is in demand among expats, there are many markets, shops, and schools for children. Rawai Beach, along with Bang Tao, remained a sought-after destination even during the most closed months of Covid, when other resorts in Phuket were empty.

Koh Samui Real Estate

Koh Samui is Thailand’s second resort island after Phuket. Tourist infrastructure, shopping, and nightlife are well-developed in the areas of Chaweng and Lamai. Apartments and condominiums near these beaches cost from 80 thousand dollars, small two-bedroom villas — from 200 thousand dollars.

The remaining areas — Maenam, Bophut, Bang Rak, Chong Mon, Taling Ngam, Lipa Noi, and Chaweng Noi — are suitable for those who prefer a quiet holiday. Private villa complexes are mainly being built in these areas. A large luxury villa on the beach in these areas can cost from 600 thousand dollars — inexpensive compared to well-known resorts in other countries.

Pattaya Real Estate

Pattaya is a popular tourist resort town two hours away from Bangkok. There is a developed entertainment industry, many shows, discos, bars, and restaurants. The property in this resort is of interest to fans of active sports (windsurfing, paragliding, etc.) or beach holidays. The most popular facilities are condominiums and apartments in residential complexes. Apartments and condominiums near the beaches of Pattaya cost from 70 thousand dollars, small villas — from 120 thousand dollars.

Forms of ownership and features for foreigners

For local and foreign buyers, freehold and leasehold are two common arrangements: ownership and long-term lease. A residential lease is registered for up to 30 years. Any extension requires a new agreement with the landowner and cannot be guaranteed in advance. Rights to transfer or inherit the lease depend on the contract. Leasehold properties are typically about 10% cheaper.

Real estate in apartment buildings is divided into two categories in property law: condominiums (shared ownership) and apartments (single ownership). Foreigners can purchase apartments only in a lease. In condominiums, developers can sell apartments to foreigners in the freehold based on a quota of 49% of the building, the rest — only in the lease.

Profitability of real estate in Thailand

Most apartment complexes and villa settlements in tourist areas are taken over by individual operators or management companies of developers. Usually, contracts with owners specify a fixed amount of income, and the yield is 5–10%. There are also hybrid contracts, for example, with a buyback guarantee or with the calculation of profitability based on the results of the tourist season.