Living Between Phuket and Khanom: Why Buyers Are Looking South

Imagine waking to ocean views framed by coconut palms close enough to Phuket’s vibrant energy, yet far enough to hear only the sound of waves.
This is Southern Thailand’s new luxury rhythm — where investors are quietly moving beyond the crowds to find space, stillness, and sustainable growth.

In 2025, Thailand’s luxury property map is expanding. While Phuket remains the benchmark for world-class villas and branded resort living, a quiet shift is happening southward toward the emerging coasts of Sichon and Khanom.

Here, buyers are discovering what Phuket once offered two decades ago: space, authenticity, and nature still connected to international infrastructure, airports, and fine living.
Welcome to Thailand’s new southern luxury corridor, where Thong Real Estate is guiding global investors into the country’s next chapter of coastal evolution.


The Southward Shift: A Post-Phuket Evolution

As land prices in Phuket rise and availability tightens, both developers and private buyers are looking south for the next frontier of growth.

  • Phuket: Fully mature, premium market with villa prices averaging ฿25–80M.

  • Sichon–Khanom: Early-growth stage, beachfront land still available from ฿3,000–7,000 per sqm.

  • Distance: Just a two-hour coastal drive or 40-minute flight via Nakhon Si Thammarat’s new international terminal.

This proximity means investors can enjoy Phuket’s lifestyle and infrastructure — marinas, schools, and resorts — while owning larger, quieter properties for significantly less.

“Buyers are now blending investment and wellbeing. They want access to Phuket’s amenities but the peace and privacy of the Gulf,” says Thong Real Estate’s 2025 Gulf Coast Market Report.


Phuket: The Benchmark for Lifestyle and Returns

Phuket remains Thailand’s most established luxury market:

  • 6,156 condos sold (+60% YoY) and 573 villas sold (+18%) in 2024.

  • Branded villas in Bang Tao, Laguna, and Kamala deliver 6–8% yields.

  • Global brands — Banyan Tree, Aman, Rosewood — continue expanding.

Phuket offers unmatched liquidity and strong rental returns, but limited supply and rising land prices are prompting buyers to look further afield.


The Khanom & Sichon Advantage: First-Mover Opportunity

Across the Gulf, Sichon and Khanom are Thailand’s next barefoot-luxury story.

  • Banyan Tree Residences Sichon (launched 2025) – 15 branded beachfront villas anchoring the region.

  • Nakhon Si Thammarat International Airport – upgraded to handle 4M passengers annually.

  • Proposed Samui Bridge – set to connect the mainland directly to Koh Samui, creating a continuous luxury corridor across the Gulf.

With land still undervalued and infrastructure improving rapidly, early investors have the chance to secure premium coastal plots before international demand accelerates.

Location Snapshot: Investment Comparison

Source: Thong Real Estate Market Research 2025

Living Between Two Worlds

Owning property between Phuket and Khanom offers the best of both:

From Phuket: access to five-star hospitality, global schools, medical care, and marinas.
From Khanom and Sichon: pristine beaches, local markets, yoga retreats, and slow coastal living.
Connectivity: 45-minute flights or scenic coastal routes now link both sides of the Gulf.

It’s a lifestyle defined by balance  luxury meets authenticity, and investment meets inner peace.

“We’re seeing a lifestyle migration,” explains Thong Real Estate’s regional team. “Buyers spend their high season in Phuket for networking, then retreat to Khanom or Sichon for rest, writing, or family life.”


Eco-Luxury and Wellness Drive the South

Today’s high-end investors seek more than marble and glass — they want eco-luxury: sustainability, space, and soulful design.

Thong Real Estate has seen increasing demand for:

  • Eco-luxury villas using natural materials and solar technology.

  • Retreat-style developments combining wellness, design, and sustainability.

  • Land banking near Banyan Tree Sichon for boutique resorts and branded villa projects.

The southern coast’s untouched beauty and affordability make it a canvas for future-focused investment  luxury with longevity.

Local Expertise: Thong Real Estate

Thong Real Estate operates across Thailand’s Andaman and Gulf coasts, with dedicated teams serving Phuket, Koh Samui, Sichon, and Khanom.
We provide:

  • Verified land titles and due diligence.

  • On-ground market intelligence.

  • Connections with trusted local developers and legal partners.

This dual-coast presence allows our clients to seamlessly diversify — investing in both mature and emerging luxury markets.

Explore our featured listings:


Market Insight: Who’s Buying in 2025

  • European & Australian buyers seeking long-term lifestyle investment.

  • Thai UHNW families building second homes and branded villa holdings.

  • Developers expanding south to capitalise on undervalued beachfront land.

  • Digital entrepreneurs and wellness retreat owners moving from Samui for space and privacy.

These diverse profiles share one thing: the search for authentic luxury — places that feel personal, not manufactured.

Between Two Worlds: The Southern Lifestyle

Life between Phuket and Khanom blends the best of Thailand’s coastal worlds:

  • Adventure and elegance — surf mornings, golf afternoons, and marina sunsets.

  • Wellness and quiet luxury — yoga decks, beachside cafés, and low-density living.

  • Community and connection — growing expat networks and local authenticity.

This is Thailand’s new coastal story less about flash, more about freedom.


Why Developers Are Following the Curve

The region’s fundamentals are undeniable:

  • Phuket: strong but land-limited.

  • Khanom & Sichon: ample coastal space, Chanote-title land, low entry costs.

  • Government incentives and infrastructure expansions fuelling tourism.

  • Brand validation: Banyan Tree’s entry confirms market credibility.

Developers are already exploring joint ventures and boutique hospitality projects — using Thong Real Estate’s regional expertise to secure strategic sites.


Final Word

For investors and homeowners alike, living between Phuket and Khanom offers both stability and discovery  the comfort of established luxury and the excitement of emerging opportunity.

It’s the next chapter in Thailand’s coastal evolution where pristine beaches meet future-ready infrastructure, and where value still lives in harmony with nature.

Ready to secure your place in Thailand’s southern story?
Connect with Thong Real Estate where expertise meets integrity, and where every investment begins with beauty, balance, and vision.

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