Thailand is one of the most popular countries among expats and investors who want to buy foreign real estate in Asia. It’s popular due to its stunning natural beauty, economic stability, low cost of living and well-developed infrastructure.
The process of buying a home in Thailand is quite complicated, since foreigners are not allowed to own land in the country. Therefore, apartments in Thailand are the most popular choice among immigrants. Yet, a foreigner can purchase a villa by registering the house in their own name and leasing the plot beneath it for 30 years. Schemes promising renewals up to 90 years no longer work: in March 2025 the Supreme Court of Thailand ruled them invalid unless the renewal is registered at the Land Department, and only the current thirty-year term can be registered.
If there is a need to buy real estate in Thailand, which areas and cities of the country should be considered first? In this article, we will tell you about the six best locations for buying Thai housing in 2026.
Content:
- Bangkok
- Phuket
- Hua Hin
- Pattaya
- Chiang Mai
- Koh Samui
- Six locations in figures
- Three questions the rankings never ask
- Frequently asked questions
Bangkok
The top 6 places for buying a home in Thailand in 2026 will be opened by the capital of Thailand — Bangkok. The city is the commercial center of Thailand, which makes it a popular choice among foreign entrepreneurs and specialists.
The city is famous for its modern medical facilities, high-class schools (there are more than 130 international schools in Bangkok) and a variety of elite condominiums.
Bangkok is a densely populated dynamic metropolis. The housing stock here is mainly represented by apartments in a condo, although if desired, you can find a villa or a townhouse. Apartments in multi-storey buildings are divided into three categories: economy, middle class and luxury. Bangkok has the highest real estate prices in Thailand: a square metre in the central districts costs around 200,000 baht ($6,040), and up to 315,000 baht ($9,510) in premium projects. Outside the centre the same metre is far cheaper — from 90,000 baht ($2,720).
One feature of the 2026 capital market is the large stock of unsold new-build units. For a buyer that means room to negotiate and extra terms from the developer: interest-free instalments, maintenance fees covered for the first years, sometimes furniture included.
The most prestigious areas for buying real estate in Bangkok:
- Sukhumvit Road
- Satorn
- Riverside
Phuket
The second place in the ranking of the most popular locations for buying real estate in Thailand in 2026 is taken by Phuket, an island on the Andaman Sea, famous for its amazing sandy beaches, lush greenery and resort infrastructure facilities.
Yacht clubs, golf courses, tennis courts, international schools and kindergartens, as well as hospitals with world-class medical care are all created for a comfortable stay in Phuket.
Condominiums in Phuket are very popular among foreign citizens. The median price of a square metre on the island is around 144,000 baht ($4,350); in the mass segment and in areas away from the coast a metre costs 70,000–120,000 baht ($2,110–3,620).
Foreigners can also purchase a villa or townhouse with private pools, gardens and recreational areas. Bear in mind, though, that the house is registered in your name while the land beneath it is leased. House prices start at around 4 million baht ($121,000) for a small property built decades ago; modern villas in sought-after areas cost from 12 million baht ($362,000).
The most popular locations for purchasing a property in Phuket are:
- Patong
- Kata and Karon beaches
- Muang
- Talang
- Bang Tao beach
- Surin
Hua Hin
Hua Hin is a small town located in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province south of Bangkok. Hua Hin is considered the safest city in Thailand due to the presence of a functioning royal residence. The first row along the embankment is being built with hotels and condominiums no higher than seven floors.
Housing prices in Hua Hin depend on the type of property, location and characteristics of the units. Apartments in Hua Hin are built with a minimum area of 40 m². A square metre in a condominium costs 70,000–110,000 baht ($2,110–3,320) depending on the project, the view and the distance to the sea; across the market as a whole the spread is wider, from 60,000 to 120,000 baht. Gross rental yields run at 5–7%. Renting a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre costs around 14,000 baht ($420) a month. A premium villa on the seafront can be bought for 35 million baht ($1.06 million); away from the beach houses start at 9 million baht ($272,000).
Hua Hin’s main advantage for a Bangkok buyer is the drive. Three to four hours by car, and it is the only resort in this list you can reach for a weekend without flying. That shapes the demand too: plenty of second homes owned by Thai families, not only by foreigners.
The best areas for buying real estate in Hua Hin:
- Hua Hin
- Cha-Am
- Kao Takiab
- Soy 112
Pattaya
Pattaya is a small resort town. The lifestyle here is much more relaxed than in Bangkok, but the local public transport is not developed. The city is famous for its beaches and entertainment facilities.
Pattaya is the second most popular tourist destination in Thailand and one of the leading seaside resorts in Asia. Housing in the city is represented by various types of apartment buildings, including medium-rise (four to ten floors) and high-rise. There are also many budget residential complexes without amenities and security. A square metre in Pattaya costs 67,000–75,000 baht ($2,020–2,265), rising to 100,000–150,000 baht ($3,020–4,530) near the sea. This is the cheapest way into a Thai resort market, which is exactly why the resale choice here is the widest in the country.
Modern prestigious complexes have swimming pools, co-working spaces, gyms, restaurants, various entertainment venues, as well as round-the-clock security and video surveillance. Studios in such buildings start at 2.2 million baht ($66,000). Penthouses in premium projects reach 100 million baht ($3 million).
Areas for buying the best real estate in Pattaya:
- Central Pattaya
- Pratumnak
- Jomtien and Najomtien
- East Pattaya
- Baan Ampur and Bangsarai
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is the cultural capital of Thailand with hundreds of temples. The city dates back to the 13th century and lies in a mountainous area, where the climate is slightly cooler than on the coast.
Chiang Mai is not a UNESCO World Heritage Site yet, although it is often described as one. The city has been on the tentative list since 2015, and the formal nomination "Chiang Mai, Capital of Lanna" was approved by the Cabinet in January 2026. ICOMOS experts are due to carry out their evaluation in mid-2026, the World Heritage Committee takes up the question in November, and a decision is expected no earlier than 2027. For a buyer this is an argument for the future: the status, if granted, usually lifts interest in the historic part of a city.
Chiang Mai and its surroundings are very attractive: there are low real estate prices; many high-class medical institutions and international schools for students of all ages. Chiang Mai is provided with a well-developed transport network: public transport is available, and there are many parking spaces.
The housing stock in Chiang Mai provides a wide choice: you can buy an apartment in a new building or an older block. A square metre averages 58,000–63,000 baht ($1,750–1,900) — the lowest figure among the six locations in this list. A typical apartment costs about 3 million baht ($90,600), while new-build units in the foreign quota start at 70,000 baht per metre. A three-bedroom villa outside the city centre starts at 5 million baht ($151,000).
The low prices come with a downside worth knowing in advance. From February to April Chiang Mai lives through the crop-burning season, and the city’s air regularly ranks among the worst in the world for pollution. Many expats leave for the coast during those months, and the rental market visibly softens in spring.
The best areas for buying real estate in Chiang Mai:
- Nimmanhamin Road
- Riverside
Koh Samui
Koh Samui is located on the east coast of Thailand. It attracts tourists from all over the world with its amazing beaches, favourable climate, unique nature and mesmerising Buddhist temples. The main difference between Koh Samui and the other listed locations is that you can only get here by air or by sea.
Around 67,000 people live on Koh Samui permanently, while the island receives many times that number of visitors. Many expats call it a great place to live after retirement.
A separate story of the past two years is the television effect. The third season of The White Lotus was filmed on Koh Samui and aired in early 2025, and the island got a surge of attention: searches for the destination rose 88% and hotel bookings 44%, ahead of both Phuket and Bangkok. The Tourism Council of Thailand suggested at the time that the island might not see a low season at all that year. The property market responded more moderately: prices added about 6% over the year.
The housing stock on Koh Samui includes villas, cottages, chalets, townhouses and apartments in condominiums. The villas on the island mainly have three bedrooms, a spacious courtyard, a garden and a swimming pool. There are swimming pools and gyms on the territory of apartment buildings and townhouses, and most often, a security system is provided. Some residences provide access to additional services from management companies, for example, spas and tennis courts. Some of the residences have private beaches.
The median price per square metre on the island is around 75,000 baht ($2,265), and it splits by property type: the median for condominiums is 88,500 baht ($2,670), while villas come in at 60,600 baht ($1,830) because they are measured across a much larger floor area. In the premium locations — Choeng Mon, Plai Laem, Chaweng Noi and Fisherman’s Village — a metre costs 100,000–250,000 baht.
The best areas for buying real estate on Koh Samui:
- North-eastern parts
- North Coast
- West Coast
Six locations in figures
Descriptions help you pick a mood, but cities are easier to compare in a single table.
| Location | Price per m² | Getting there | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangkok | 200,000 baht in the centre, from 90,000 outside it | Two airports, metro and skytrain | Those working or doing business in the capital |
| Phuket | median 144,000 baht, mass segment 70,000–120,000 | International airport on the island | Investors in resort rental |
| Hua Hin | 70,000–110,000 baht in condominiums | 3–4 hours by car from Bangkok | Those who want a resort without a flight |
| Pattaya | 67,000–75,000 baht, 100,000–150,000 near the sea | 2 hours from Bangkok, U-Tapao airport nearby | Those looking for a cheap entry point |
| Chiang Mai | 58,000–63,000 baht | International airport, an hour from Bangkok | Those who want a city, mountains and low costs |
| Koh Samui | median 75,000 baht, premium 100,000–250,000 | Only by plane or ferry | Those staying long and valuing seclusion |
Three questions the rankings never ask
Any list of cities answers the question of where it is beautiful and what it costs. Before buying, it is worth asking three less pleasant ones.
- What does the low season look like here? A resort town in the rain and in high season are two different places. Koh Samui is wettest from October to December, Phuket from May to October, and Chiang Mai’s air turns bad in spring. Come to view property in the inconvenient month.
- How hard will it be to sell? Liquidity falls with every kilometre away from the airport and the sea. In Bangkok and Phuket a buyer turns up almost always; on Koh Samui and in outlying parts of Hua Hin the search can take many months.
- Who is the tenant here? In Bangkok it is professionals and families on annual leases, in Pattaya and Phuket tourists on weekly stays, in Chiang Mai digital nomads for a few months. The answer drives both the yield and how much management work you are signing up for.
"Clients come to choose a city in February, when everywhere looks good, and decide in three days. It works better to settle first what you will actually be doing here — working, holidaying or renting out. After that the city almost picks itself, and only one or two options remain."
— a property search consultant working in Thailand
Thailand has a lot to offer: from the historic city of Chiang Mai to the lively nightlife of Bangkok and the white sandy beaches of Phuket. The demand for housing is slowly but surely growing in Hua Hin, Koh Samui and Pattaya.
When choosing a region to live in Thailand, you should take into account the purpose of the purchase (permanent residence or investing in order to generate income). Experts advise to choose popular tourist destinations for purchasing a residential property for rent and to focus on personal preferences, the availability of infrastructure and the peculiarities of the microclimate in a particular city when buying a home for your own residence.
Frequently asked questions
Where is housing cheapest among the popular locations?
In Chiang Mai: a metre costs 58,000–63,000 baht and a typical apartment about 3 million baht. But it is a city without a sea, and the air is heavy in spring because of crop burning.
Which city should I choose for rental income?
Phuket and Pattaya for short stays, where tourists arrive all year round. Bangkok for long lets, where tenants sign annual contracts and live there permanently.
Is Chiang Mai really a UNESCO site?
No. The city has been on the tentative list since 2015, the nomination was approved in January 2026, and a decision is expected no earlier than 2027.
How much did Koh Samui rise after the series?
Tourist interest jumped sharply — searches up 88%, bookings up 44%. Property prices responded more calmly, adding about 6% over the year.
Can I buy a villa together with the land?
Land cannot be registered to a foreigner. The house can be put in your name, while the plot beneath it is leased for 30 years.