Buying a Villa in Koh Samui: Thailand's Top Retirement Destinations

July 15, 2023

Conrad Properties offers an extensive portfolio of homes, resorts, and other property types up for sale in the gorgeous tropical island of Koh Samui (sometimes called Samui Island).

If you want to buy or invest in Koh Samui real estate for sale as a retirement asset, you'll be pleasantly surprised and impressed by the multitude of options available, particularly when it comes to vacation villas.

Often, what makes many vacationers from all over the globe want to stay and retire in Koh Samui is the island’s simple way of life and the strong sense of community with the locals. However, there are so many other reasons that make Koh Samui an incredible place for retirement.

What Makes Koh Samui one of the Best Retirement Islands in the World

According to International Life Magazine, Koh Samui is one of the best islands to retire to. In fact, it's even ranked 10th out of 15 curated islands by the acclaimed magazine. This is based on its offerings in terms of healthcare, affordability, and living conditions.

Koh Samui is considered as one of the best islands to retire in because of the following reasons:

• Broad Appeal: Thailand's second largest island is an underrated gem full of cultural attractions galore. If you're looking to retire there, it's one of the best and idyllic choices around. What's appealing about it is that you can live in luxury there on a budget.

• Peace and Quiet: Most people in retirement age seek the peace and quiet of Koh Samui and the typical Koh Samui Property for Sale in serene places like Maenam instead of a bothersome high-pace lifestyle of New Yorkers. It also helps that Koh Samui is one of the Land of Smile's most popular vacation destinations.

• The Beach Life: Retirees love Koh Samui because who doesn't love having the opportunity to soak up the sun and get a tan on world-class beaches? They also have the freedom to enjoy water sports such as boating, kayaking, and sailing.

• One of the Safest Places Around: This secluded island is also one of the safest places for retirees to retire when all is said and done. It's not only a safe place for travelers. It's also a safe place of residence, particularly if you end up in a gated community.

• Fast-Growing Expat Community: Retirees might also be interested in Koh Samui's fast-growing expat community that should help you blend in and acclimate to a new place and culture with like-minded individuals.

• Golfer's Paradise: Did you know that Koh Samui also offers a choice of golf courses and driving ranges? They're well-maintained and world class courses. What's more, golf is as much of a relaxing and satisfying sport as Koh Samui is a retirement island.

Once you've decided to take the Koh Samui plunge as a retiree from overseas, rest assured you'll be in the company of fellow expatriates with whom you can socialize, along—of course—with the warm and friendly Thai locals.

Where Should You Stay or Live in Koh Samui for Your Retirement?

There are five major districts in Koh Samui's living area that you should familiarize yourself with when deciding where to retire specifically within Koh Samui. They include the following:

1. Bophut: The major area of Bophut is known for its tranquility while still having options for fine dining and nightlife. It's also the home of the charming Fisherman Village and exudes the provincial serenity of a cultural heritage site. Meanwhile, the nearby Bangrak Beach is filled with chic new beach clubs.

2. Choeng Mon: Aside from the heartbreaking or even romantic views afforded by Choeng Mon Bay (especially around sunset), Choeng Mon also offers a multitude of affordable condominiums exclusively for sale to the expatriate community.

3. Chaweng: Chaweng is most suitable for retirees who prefer having an active nightlife or parties for their nights out. The main liveliest area of Koh Samui specifically offers the biggest beach and the most joyous of celebrations. Chaweng Hills is particularly filled with new villa developments.

4. Lamai: As Koh Samui's second-largest resort area, you can only expect good things from it. It's a great place to retire to if you desire a balanced way of life between relaxation and celebration. Besides which, it's not as crowded as Chaweng.

5. Maenam: If you wish to avoid tourist traffic and crowds, the more reserved village of Maenam will help you travel back in time when Koh Samui was less developed and more secluded. It's a quiet place for introverts to have some quality time for self-reflection and meditation.

How to Buy a Villa in Koh Samui Through Conrad Properties

Conrad Properties has a full portfolio of carefully handpicked properties, including villas for sale, beachfront villas for sale, condos for sale, and so forth, particularly those available at popular tourist spots across the island.

When buying a villa in Koh Samui or looking for a Koh Samui house for sale, all you really need to do is browse the portfolio of existing and new projects available at our website. The island is famous for its white beaches and clear waters like many other paradise-like settings.

We also have a bespoke collection of beachfront villas with their own swimming pools, private beach access, and azure panoramas. They're perfect as vacation homes or permanent residences for retirement.

If you're interested in any Koh Samui property in our collection, just call us at +66 (0)92-959-1299.You can also email us at info@conradproperties.asia or at sales@conradproperties.asia You also have the option to get in touch with our friendly team through our contact page.

You may also click on the "Enquire Now!" link that’s on every property for sale page to open a submission form where you can fill in your name, country, email, and subject as well as a question or contact request to the webmaster.

The Quality of Life That Koh Samui Offers to Retirees

Retirees also wish to have more than the bare necessities when deciding a place to retire to, even if it is in the middle of paradise like Koh Samui in Thailand, one of the Hawaiian Islands, or somewhere in the Caribbean.

• Accessibility: Most vacationers and tourists directly arrive at Koh Samui through the Koh Samui Airport, which is owned and operated by Bangkok Airways. It's frequently filled with Singaporean SilkAir flights and Thai Airways flights.

  As a would-be Koh Samui resident, you should be aware that Bangkok Airways facilitates many domestic flights, but Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport is available as a 1.5-hour flight. The 17th busiest airport in the world serves as the Thailand gateway for international flights as well.

  You can reach Suvarnabhumi Airport through catamarans and several ferries from the Thailand mainland. Long story short, Koh Samui is a highly accessible island with multiple connections to the rest of the world.

• Fine Dining and Restaurant Choices: As a tourist you can easily see that you won't run out of local and international cuisine choices in such a vacation spot as Koh Samui. What makes you think it will change once you're a resident?

  Many retirees delight in the quality choices for Koh Samui dining venues. After all, the touristy island doesn't only cater to the locals and their specific palate. They also have to come up with cuisine enjoyed by tourists from all over the globe.

  

  Everything is on the table for you to enjoy in your retirement, from cheap street food to fine dining restaurants and everything in between.

  Another thing that city folks overlook that's readily available in island living is fresh seafood. There's nothing quite delectable as eating fresh fish and crustaceans as well as shellfish. They taste more delicious than store-bought months' old frozen fish.

  Aside from authentic Thai delicacies, the island also experiments and makes their own version of western or international favorites from places like Japan, Italy, and France. They even have meals that cater to digital nomads and Gen Z!

• Healthcare: Thailand has world-class and affordable healthcare for both locals and foreigners. As a result of this, the country also has robust healthcare tourism, rehab tourism, and dental tourism industries under its belt.

  Once you avail yourself of a Koh Samui villa for sale, you can rest assured that Koh Samui has four private hospitals available to take care of your healthcare needs. They include:

  • Bandon Hospital

  • Bangkok Hospital Samui

  • Thai International Hospital

  • Samui International Hospital

  You can get a prescription to easily purchase any prescription medication in case you have an ailment that requires more than over-the-counter medicine. Long story short, the island's relatively affordable healthcare system is of high standard.

  

  The hospitals offer modern amenities and western-style facilities as well as state-of-the-art equipment. What's more, most of the healthcare workers are fluent in English.

  You can also go to several island clinics or a multitude of pharmacies for good measure. Most supermarkets and convenience stores also have pharmacy counters available. The hotline number for an ambulance in Koh Samui is 1669.

• Things to Do: Samui living never gets old because you'll always discover something new to do there. Once you've decompressed enough, you can take part in something adventurous or relaxing as well as constructive. The sky's the limit.

  It's a never-ending party in places like Chaweng or Bangrak. If you wish to do bar hopping and dancing, they're readily available in this island paradise as well.

  You can have water sports galore here on the island's many world-class beaches. As mentioned above, you can also partake in golf and other fun retirement activities. Do you wish to learn yoga? Take up art classes? Learn how to cook Thai dishes? Go spelunking? They're all possible in Koh Samui.

What to Expect Before Moving to Koh Samui

Once you decide on living in Samui as your place of retirement residence, there are a couple of things you need to prepare first before making the big move. They include the following items.

• Getting Your Visa for Koh Samui: If you're a foreign national wishing to stay for more than 90 days in beautiful Thailand or secluded Koh Samui, you need to avail of these visa types: One Year Non-Immigrant Visa, Business Visa, Marriage Visa, Retirement Visa, or Permanent Residence Visa.

  Using a Tourist or Non-Immigrant Visa for more than 90 days breaks Thailand's Immigration Law and is grounds for deportation. Your best bet as a retiree is availing yourself of a Retirement Visa or Permanent Residence Visa.

  For more info regarding visas, contact your nearest Thai consulate or embassy. You can also visit the website of Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

• Working Visa: If you're working in Thailand, you're required both a work permit and a business visa. The company that you're working for should assist you in getting the paperwork for both documents done.

  You can also get a work permit by setting up a new company. This requires legal work and the setup costs around ฿50,000 to ฿60,000 ($1,430 to $1,720). The initial work permit itself costs ฿20,000 ($570).

  It's also important to set up your local bank account. Most banks are available in Koh Samui with English-speaking staff. You will need this visa or a non-immigrant visa to avail of the retirement visa in case you're still not of the right age for retirement.

• Retirement Visa: If you're retiring in Koh Samui, you'll need to get a Retirement Visa, you need to first obtain a Non-Immigrant "O" Visa first. This in turn requires a passport, proof of funds, and permanent residence in Thailand.

  Afterwards, to apply for a Retirement Visa, you need to be at least 50 years of age. In other words, that's the minimum age requirement for a retiree.

  You also need a passport (signed copies of each page), the Non-Immigrant "O" Visa, Departure Card TM.6, Proof of Meeting Financial Requirements, Thai Bank Book (Original), Letter from your Thai Bank, three 4x5 photographs with your full face taken.

• Speaking English and Learning Thai: Many locals can speak English or are fluent in English because Koh Samui is such a major tourist destination. However, you as a retiree should at least know some basic Thai to make your life easier. It also helps you integrate better into the local Samui communities.

  For your information you can get education visas if you're enrolled in a Thai language school. These visas allow students to stay in the country for a year without needing border runs.

  Go to a reputable school that's registered with the Thai Ministry of Education, though. Also, study hard because the Thai language differs greatly from Latin-based languages like English and Spanish.

• Driver's License and Transportation: Although you can avail of public transportation such as the public utility vehicle known as songthaew, owning a private vehicle such as an economy car or moped is better in beachside life like when retiring in Koh Samui.

  Some areas of the island can only be accessed by unpaved roads, so investing in an ATV might also be in your best interests. Cars, mopeds, motorcycles, and ATVs are all available for rent or sale.

  As for acquiring a driver's license in Thailand, you need to apply at the Land Transportation Office in Lipa Noi. Come with copies of your work permit, a letter from immigration with your permanent address, medical certificate, long-stay visa, and passport.

  

  It's preferable that you bring your existing driver's license so that you can skip some of the driving tests, since the license signifies you've already taken them. According to Thai traffic laws, getting caught driving without a license can result in fines.

• The Crime Rate of Koh Samui: It's extremely rare for Koh Samui to have violent crime happen there. As mentioned earlier, Koh Samui is a safe island for both tourists and residents.

  In fact, it's rated as the 4th safest city in Thailand according to the Travel Safe Abroad website.

  At most, the island deals with the occasional petty crime like theft, vandalism, and scams, just like in any other place on the globe. In case you've become a victim of such crimes, you can go to the police stations found all over the island for help.

  There are even "tourist" police stations with officers who speak fluent English as well. You can call the emergency numbers of 191 to get in touch with the police and 199 to get in touch with the fire department.

• Supermarkets and Schools: There's an abundance of supermarkets and convenience stores on the island where you can get your everyday needs, from groceries and dried goods to food and school supplies.

  In regard to your children if you wish to start a family in Koh Samui, there are local schools available that teach the Thai Curriculum. You can also opt for International Schools ranging from Preschool to Upper Secondary. They're located in populated areas like Lamai, Bophut, and Chaweng.

It’s Time to Find Your Dream Koh Samui Property

When searching for your dream property in Koh Samui as a retiree expatriate, you need to first take into account why you wish to do so. Do any of the factors above resonate with you?

Do you wish to indirectly own—or rent out for 30 years in accordance with Thai laws on foreign ownership of Thai property—a property or villa in an accessible, safe, and high-value area strategically placed near shopping malls, restaurants, beaches, and schools?

If the answer is yes, then get in touch with us or browse our website to find the Koh Samui property of your dreams from Conrad Properties!