Is it worth buying an apartment in Phuket?

Phuket welcomed over 12 million tourists in 2025 - a record that continues to fuel property demand into 2026. For foreign investors eyeing Southeast Asian vacation real estate, the island remains one of the region's most liquid markets.

How Much Does a Phuket Apartment Cost in 2026?

Freehold condominiums - the only structure allowing full foreign ownership (capped at 49% of units per building) - start at roughly 3.5–4.5 million THB for a 30–35 sqm studio in hotspots like Bangtao or Kamala. Premium areas such as Layan and Surin command 6–12 million THB for sea-view units.

Key numbers investors should know:

• Gross rental yields on short-term lets range from 5–8% annually, depending on location and management quality
• Transfer fees and taxes at purchase total approximately 6% of the sale price
• Common area maintenance runs 40–80 THB/sqm per month
• Foreigners cannot own land - only condominium units. However Thailand offers foreigners ownership of a building and a land lease for 30 years. The next two periods (30 and 30) function as a contractual promise of extension.