Agree with most of it, but a deeper analisys of the countrys situation reveals, in my opinion, that the startegic location and the full integration of Thailand in the global market economy - including trading, industry, turism, conection hubs, no potential religious conlicts - makes Thailand an interesting investment scenario right now, even considering that they are not in their best polical scenario. I think it could be comaparable - in terms of political uncertancy - with the escenario that we have seen in some Chinesse cities like Guangzhou and Shenzhen, where despite many political uncertancies, the economic growth adn the property growth has rocketed since their "incorporation" to the global economy.

Just visited Samui and indeed there are large 5 star hotel chains building all the time there and it does look like money is pouring in to it.. only problem with Thailand is the funding aspect as I see it as you can't get a mortgage as a foreign investor..and developers offer v short term financing deals which mean you have a lot of cash tied up.. anyone got round this at all?

Hi

I've just spent a month in Samui and my impression was of huge over-development.

Rented a lovely large villa - very cheap - on a small development of which at least 75% were unlet. OK, this was out of season, but, even so, the number of developments springing up and the number of glossy brochures flying around, billboards advertising developments and the endless number of 'for rent' signs, suggested to me - over-supply, agents on high commissions, a limited rental market, no exit plan with so much new stuff being built - and who would sell it for me anyway - certainly the agents selling the new builds won't be interested unless I pay developer level commission.
Lovely place and a great place to get a super rental deal for a holiday - but, as an investment, I don't think so.

Cheers

Robin

The tightening of the VISA renewal rules has seen a big move into Cambodia for the traditional ex-pat party set, the ownership laws are very dodgy for a foreign individual...and Thailand does have religious Buddhist-Muslim conflict in the South...plus the normal reaction to any political unrest is for the army to move in (18 coups in about 50 years..that's more than we've had Governments.)

Everytime i look at Thailand, I end up looking more closely at Malaysia. If the Kuala Lumpur property starting moving faster, and you could more than 60-70% LTV it would be just about perfect.

Agree that from a pure investment point of view, Thailand and islands may not be the BEST place to put your money, but if you are looking for a holiday home on Samui say, then I do believe you will get capital growth as the airport that has recently opened there is now bringing in direct flights from parts of Asia, and I guess this will keep developing.. direct flights from Dubai are next.. I will certainly be taking advantage of these connections myself to go to Samui.

One stunning golf resort has opened on Samui (friends played there last month and they got a caddy etc, and were very positive about it).. and another is in the building.. it is being promoted as the St Tropez of Asia.. I certainly couldn't fault it as a holiday destination with tons to offer (so much more than Dubai which has beaches and shopping fullstop)... the diving is world class..

The prices for luxury there are still very affordable and maybe that is why a resort of villas had a lot of empty ones. Not everyone who buys holiday homes wants to rent them out or make money from them.. I wouldn't if I didn't need to.. you can do without the hassles..and just enjoy having your own space ready to visit as and when you want to..

I think the Thai people's friendliness and the fab food at v cheap prices makes it a perfect holiday property destination, if not an investment one..

Hi

I couldn't agree more about Samui and, indeed, Thailand in general, as a holiday destination.
What I was talking was pure investment - and for me, well, Samui is over-supplied and offers no prospect of real capital growth for the foreseeable future.
If you want a beautiful holiday villa at a very reasonable price compared to many alternatives (and access to superb food!) there are few better places.

cheers

Hi Robin,

>If you want a beautiful holiday villa at a very reasonable price compared to many alternatives (and access to superb food!) there are few better places.


Out of curiosity, where would be your top 5?

Ray

Hi Ray

What a great question!

Depends on what you want to do, of course, but for a combination of great food, ambiance and generally great relaxed living for a week or two:

six in no special order:

Villa in the Barossa, S. Australia - their summer.
Apartment in the centro strorico in Lucca, any time.
Villa in Samui, with easy access to Boput, but set well away. Out of season - or parts of Phuket.
House anywhere in New England - esp New Hampshire, or nr Manchester, Vermont - autumn/ late summer
Villa in Sicily, late season.
Cabin, Vancouver Island