Category: The Bangkok Post

Koh Samui and Koh Phangan are emerging as global property investment hotspots, driven by surging foreign demand, rising land prices and a wave of new project launches, according to property consultancy Colliers Thailand.

Phattarachai Taweewong, research and communication director at the consultancy, said the two islands are evolving into an international investment hub, with foreign buyers dominating demand, particularly in the residential leasehold market.

“Over the past two years, land prices on both islands have risen sharply, mirroring Phuket’s rapid appreciation several years earlier,” he said.

“Despite the increase, land values remain significantly lower than in Phuket, leaving substantial room for further growth.”

At the end of the first quarter of 2026, Samui and Phangan had a combined 154 residential projects on the market, comprising 2,860 units with a total development value exceeding 61 billion baht.

Many resort home and condo projects achieved strong absorption rates, particularly those targeting foreign buyers. Leasehold ownership remains the dominant structure, allowing overseas investors to drive market growth.

Mr Phattarachai said the strong performance has attracted major Bangkok-based developers, many of whom have begun acquiring land on both islands in preparation for future projects.

Competition is expected to intensify this year as Supalai Plc and Chiang Mai-based developer Ornsirin Holding enter the market to capture demand in high-potential resort destinations.

SAMUI DRIVES GROWTH

Samui remains one of Thailand’s strongest international resort property markets, with 113 projects comprising 2,422 units worth an estimated 53.2 billion baht as of the first quarter.

Mr Phattarachai said the market posted strong growth in new villa launches over the past two years, reflecting developers’ confidence in long-term demand.

Resort villas remain the dominant segment, with 65 projects and 749 units valued at nearly 30 billion baht. Prime locations include Mae Nam, Chaweng-Bophut and Lamai.

There were nine condo projects with 1,214 units and 39 housing projects with 459 units, reflecting a diversified supply base and continued expansion, noted the consultancy.

Condo prices generally range between 60,000 and 80,000 baht per square metre, while some luxury projects command prices greater than 200,000 baht per sq m.

Foreign buyers account for 85-90% of purchases, while Thai buyers represent 10-15% of the market.

More than half of demand comes from European investors, followed by buyers from Russia, Israel, China, Australia, the Czech Republic and France.

PHANGAN GAINS MOMENTUM

Mr Phattarachai said Phangan is evolving from a tourist destination into an international residential and investment market.

The island had 41 residential projects with 438 units worth a combined 7.94 billion baht as of the first quarter of 2026.

Resort villas dominate the market, accounting for 26 projects and 294 units valued at 6.83 billion baht. The market recorded rapid growth over the past two years, with annual new supply exceeding 100 units in 2024 and 2025.

“Demand is driven overwhelmingly by foreign buyers, particularly from Israel, Europe and Australia, many of whom seek long-stay residences, retirement homes or rental investment properties,” he said.

More than 90% of buyers are foreigners, while Thais account for roughly 10% of the market.

Areas such as Sri Thanu and Hin Kong are popular with European buyers and digital nomads due to their focus on wellness lifestyles and established expatriate communities, said Mr Phattarachai.

Meanwhile, Haad Yao, Haad Salad and Mae Haad attract affluent buyers seeking privacy, sea views and luxury villas.

“Phangan is entering a structural growth phase, supported by quality tourism, growing expat communities and increasing international demand for second homes and investment properties,” he said.

Mr Phattarachai cautioned developers to conduct thorough due diligence on land titles and focus on locations with proven demand, as project success will increasingly depend on site quality, pricing and product positioning.

The mayor of Saensuk municipality is asking people to stop dumping their waste in local waterways because it ends up being washed ashore on popular Bang Saen beach.

Mayor Narongchai Khunplome posted pictures of garbage-covered Bang Saen beach and his message on Facebook on Sunday. He wrote that municipal workers tried their best to clean the beach, from morning to night, but waves kept washing more garbage ashore.

Visitors would be disappointed by the sight of the considerable amount of trash on the beach and probably blame local authorities, he said.

‘We keep on doing our best to keep Bang Saen beach as clean and attractive as possible. What we want the most is not praise but cooperation from everyone on the reduction and proper disposal of garbage,’ Mr Narongchai wrote.

‘I would like to ask everyone to take responsibility for your own garbage. Do not drop waste on the beach, canals or any waterways. Please sort your waste. Every piece of litter that is improperly dumped may flow into the sea and waves will wash it back to Bang Saen beach.’

Local vendors said a lot of garbage was washed ashore on the beach, especially on windy days during the wet season.

More than 1,000 visitors turned up on the first day of the reopening of Prasat Ta Kwai and Hill 350 in Surin on Saturday, exceeding the daily target as tourists flocked to the border tourism site.

The reopening marked the first day of renewed public access to the historical attraction after it was previously opened during the Songkran holiday and received a strong response.

Tourists began arriving in the morning to confirm registrations at a service point at Ban Thai Santisuk School in Bak Dai subdistrict of Phanom Dong Rak district before travelling to the site.

Visitors are required to park at the school and board the shuttle pickup trucks arranged by authorities.

The chief of the Bak Dai Subdistrict Administrative Organisation said the site had initially capped visits to Prasat Ta Kwai and Hill 350 at 1,000 people per day. However, registrations — at the site and online — had already exceeded the target, reaching about 1,200-1,300 visitors as of noon Saturday.

Authorities said efforts would be made to accommodate as many visitors as possible to avoid disappointment among those who had already travelled to the site, while safety assessments would continue.

Visitors travelled from both nearby and distant provinces, including Bangkok, to experience the attraction.

The trial tourism route to Prasat Ta Kwai and Hill 350 opened this weekend and will run again next Saturday and Sunday.

The 2.9-kilometre route features seven historical and cultural learning points, including the Protector of Thailand Monument, Phra Phuttha Metta statue, Prasat Ta Kwai, Hill 350 and statues commemorating Sergeant Roeng, Nong Wun and Sergeant Anothai.

Organised by Surin province in cooperation with the 2nd Army Area and the Bak Dai Subdistrict Administrative Organisation, the activity aims to promote historical learning, appreciation of nature and remembrance of those who protected Thailand’s territory.

Regulations prohibit live streaming and climbing, while photography is allowed only at designated points.

Meanwhile, Cambodia’s Ministry of Culture said it opposed the tourism activity at Prasat Ta Kwai, adding it violated sovereignty and damaged cultural heritage.

The government has instructed the Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry to intensify efforts to block online gambling websites ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which begins next week.

Deputy government spokeswoman Ploytalay Laksmeesangchan said agencies, including the police Technology Crime Suppression Centre, have been told to strengthen measures preventing youngsters from accessing the platforms.

She said artificial intelligence is being used to improve the detection and blocking of illegal content.

Between Oct 1 and May 31, authorities blocked 673,699 illegal gambling URLs and scam links. Of the total, 635,717 were blocked under court orders and 37,982 removed cooperatively by platforms. In May alone, 78,796 URLs were blocked.

An elderly wild elephant found injured and underweight in Buri Ram province is getting urgent care.

The elephant, identified as “DY M 001”, a male some 50-60 years old, was found with multiple wounds, including a large pus-filled injury on its right hip, prompting officials to implement a treatment and nutritional recovery plan.

Sukhee Boonsang, director of the Wildlife Conservation Office, said authorities received a report through the forest protection hotline 1362 on June 3 after the elephant was spotted injured in Samrong Mai subdistrict of Lahan Sai district.

On Saturday, officials joined veterinarians and volunteer groups to assess the elephant and prepare a treatment plan.

The team included personnel from Dong Yai Wildlife Sanctuary, Ta Phraya National Park, Protected Area Regional Office 7 in Nakhon Ratchasima province, and wildlife-tracking volunteer networks.

An initial assessment found the elephant alert and responsive, still able to forage independently and maintaining a strong appetite despite its age.

However, it moves slowly and spends long hours soaking in water during the day, apparently to relieve discomfort and body heat.

Veterinarians assessed its body condition score as 2.5 out of 5, indicating it is underweight, with signs of poor digestion evident in its faeces, likely linked to age-related tooth deterioration.

Officials have begun wound care and nutritional support, mixing vitamins and supplements into the elephant’s food, while ranger teams continue to closely monitor DY M 001 and report directly to veterinarians.

Governors nationwide have been instructed to strengthen Ebola surveillance and prevention measures following outbreaks in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to the Interior Ministry.

Unsit Sampuntharat, permanent secretary for interior, said the directive followed reports from the World Health Organization (WHO) of Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreaks in the two African countries.

The disease, caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain, is a severe haemorrhagic fever with a high fatality rate. In response, the Ministry of Public Health has designated Uganda and DR Congo as dangerous communicable disease zones under a ministerial regulation that took effect on May 21.

Mr Unsit said governors in all 76 provinces, acting as chairmen of provincial communicable disease committees, have been instructed to intensify disease surveillance, screening, investigation and control measures.

The committees will monitor travellers arriving from or transiting through countries designated as dangerous communicable disease zones or those reporting outbreaks. Suspected cases may be isolated or quarantined for observation for at least 21 days.

Local authorities have also been told to coordinate with international disease control checkpoints, immigration officials, airport authorities and security agencies to monitor the movements of travellers considered at risk while they remain in Thailand.

The ministry urged people to avoid unnecessary travel to outbreak areas and advised those returning from affected countries to monitor their health closely.

Anyone experiencing symptoms such as fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea or unexplained bleeding should seek medical attention and notify disease control authorities immediately, the ministry warned.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says that the compulsory conciliation mechanism under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) carries no binding legal force on disputed parties, though it can exert considerable political pressure and influence international perceptions in disputes such as the Thai-Cambodian maritime boundary issue.

On Facebook on Saturday, the ministry published an infographic explaining the “compulsory conciliation” process under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, seeking to provide the public with a clearer understanding of the dispute-resolution mechanism after Cambodia initiated proceedings involving Thailand.

The ministry said compulsory conciliation is one of several dispute-settlement mechanisms available to state parties under Unclos.

It said findings issued by a conciliation commission differ from judgments handed down by international courts or arbitral tribunals because they are not legally binding on the parties involved.

However, the ministry said that while the commission’s recommendations cannot be enforced as a matter of law, they often carry substantial political weight and may affect a country’s standing and credibility in the international arena.

Under the process, once a conciliation commission completes its work, it prepares a report containing findings and recommendations.

The disputing parties are then expected to use the report as a basis for further negotiations aimed at reaching a mutually acceptable solution.

The process typically takes about one year after the commission is fully constituted before a final report is submitted to the parties.

The ministry said the information campaign was intended to enhance public understanding of Unclos, which serves as the principal legal framework governing maritime affairs and the peaceful settlement of disputes between states.

On Friday, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul met Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Defence Minister Adul Boonthumjaroen and Army commander Pana Claewplodtook to discuss Thailand’s stance.

This comes after Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet formally Thailand and the UN secretary-general of Cambodia’s intention to begin compulsory conciliation proceedings.

Following the meeting, Mr Anutin said Thailand would appoint representatives to participate in the process, with Mr Sihasak leading the Thai side.

He dismissed concerns Cambodia was gaining an advantage by taking the dispute to the international stage, insisting Thailand had acted properly and remained confident in the legitimacy of its position.

“We have done nothing wrong, so there is no reason to be worried,” he said, adding that Thailand’s priority was to safeguard its interests throughout the proceedings.

A 45-year-old Russian woman was arrested in Phuket on Saturday when police raided a large residence allegedly operating as an illegal cosmetic clinic.

Medical products and equipment worth over 600,000 baht were seized from the suspect, identified only as Kristine.

Pol Maj Gen Phatthanasak Bubphasuwan, commander of the Crime Suppression Division, said officers searched a house in tambon Thepkasattri in Thalang district after receiving information that a foreigner was running an unlicensed beauty clinic in the area.

During the raid, a Russian national identified herself as the owner of the property and cooperated with the search.

In a ground-floor bedroom, officers saw a Thai woman lying on a treatment bed, apparently undergoing a cosmetic procedure.

When questioned, Ms Kristine failed to present any medical licences and admitted that some of the medicines, medical supplies and equipment had been brought into Thailand from Russia through an airport.

However, she denied operating an illegal beauty clinic or providing cosmetic injection services to clients, police said.

Thirty-two types of medical products were seized at the house, including collagen and lidocaine injections and pain-reducing nimesulide granules. Nimesulide is a prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to relieve acute pain. All oral forms of nimesulide are banned and permanently withdrawn in Thailand due to reported severe risk of acute liver failure and liver damage.

They also found large bags containing syringes, needles, gloves, used medical waste and disposable equipment.

The suspect was initially charged with illegally operating a medical facility and selling unregistered medical products, Pol Maj Gen Phatthanasak said.

She was handed over to investigators at Thalang police station for legal proceedings.

Kasikorn Research Center (K-Research) forecasts foreign purchases of condo units will decline by 20% this year, marking the first annual contraction since the pandemic.

Data from the Real Estate Information Center (REIC) revealed foreign condo transfers nationwide fell by 17% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026, and K-Research expects the decline to deepen to 20% for the full year, marking the first annual contraction in five years since the pandemic erupted.

For the remainder of this year, the foreign condo market is expected to remain subdued amid mounting headwinds. In particular, purchasing power in key foreign markets such as China and Myanmar is likely to continue weakening.

The prolonged conflict in the Middle East coupled with a slowdown in the global economy is expected to dampen sentiment and purchasing decisions among foreign buyers, noted K-Research.

According to the REIC, foreign condo transfers nationwide totalled 3,214 units in the first quarter of 2026, down 17% year-on-year. Transfers in Bangkok and surrounding areas fell sharply by 35% to 1,239 units.

“The slowdown was largely driven by weaker demand from buyers from China and Myanmar, who together accounted for around 60% of total transfers in Bangkok and its vicinity,” said the research house.

In provincial markets, foreign condo transfers declined by only 1%. While transfers in Chon Buri slowed, activity in Phuket continued to record solid growth, supported by newly completed condominium projects.

Demand in provincial markets was driven largely by European buyers, particularly those from Russia, France, Germany and the UK, who tend to purchase residential properties in tourist destinations, according to K-Research.

The total value of foreign condo purchases also declined, reflecting both lower transaction volumes and a decrease in the average purchase price per unit.

In the first quarter, the value of foreign condo transfers nationwide tallied 13 billion baht, down 18% year-on-year.

The average transaction value per unit was 4.15 million baht, a decline of 0.7%.

Siam Commercial Bank Economic Intelligence Center (EIC), the bank’s research unit, forecasts residential property transfers will contract for a fourth consecutive year in 2026, with the total value nationwide dipping by 5% year-on-year to 824 billion baht.

The contraction is attributed to high household debt levels, living costs rising faster than incomes, and persistently tight lending standards maintained by financial institutions following last year’s credit tightening.

“The conflict in the Middle East is likely to further undermine purchasing power, making a recovery in housing demand more difficult,” said the EIC.

“If the conflict becomes prolonged, the value of residential property transfers could face downside risks and contract by as much as 10-15% this year.”

Gender-affirming hormone therapy will be offered under the universal healthcare scheme starting this week, deputy government spokeswoman Ploythalay Laksameesaengjan says.

The announcement comes during Pride Month, as Thailand continues efforts to expand healthcare access and legal recognition for LGBTQ+ communities.

Ms Ploythalay said the programme is intended to help transgender people access hormone treatment safely within the healthcare system.

The National Health Security Office has completed procurement of hormone therapy medications, with distribution expected to begin on Wednesday through 50 participating healthcare facilities nationwide, she said.

The programme covers eight hormone-related medicines divided into four categories: female hormones in oral and topical forms, injectable male hormones, oral androgen blockers and central hormone-suppressing injections.

Also available are health screenings, mental health counselling and laboratory tests for hormone levels, liver and kidney function, and metabolic health.

Ms Ploythalay said hormone therapy can have physical and psychological side effects if not properly managed.

Those seeking therapy are advised to undergo counselling beforehand and remain under the supervision of qualified professionals throughout.