Article Written By: Michiel Van Kets
Phuket is one of the premier beach vacation destination in the world, and the most beautiful place in the south of Thailand. Its capital Bangkok is only an hour's flight away, and its international airport connects directly to major Asian hubs such as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong as well as Perth in Australia. Infrastructure and road network on the island is well developed, and world class amenities such as hospitals, spas, schools, golf courses, marinas as well as a myriad of accommodations and restaurants are all in place to welcome visitors from every corners of the earth. Getting around the island is very quick and easy as most roads have bilingual signs. There are no complicated motorways and if you are ever lost, the locals are usually eager to help. Cheap public buses known as Songthaews depart from the local market in Phuket town to all major beaches on the island. Tuk Tuks and motorbike taxis are plenty if you are in a hurry, and two or four wheeled rental vehicles are also widely available.The tourist areas are found along the west coast where the stretches of white sandy beaches await. Patong, Kata, Karon, Surin and Bang Tao have visiting tourists all year round so you will find an endless choice of accommodation in these areas. Many tourists are returning visitors and have taken advantage of a weaker Thai Baht to purchase their second home here. A luxury pool villa on this tropical island can be purchased at a much lower price than you would pay somewhere like the Mediterranean or Caribbean, and the overwhelming choice of property here means you can find anything that will fall in your budget and requirements. The higher end villas will usually have the best panoramic seaview and are sometimes located in private beach fronts, both of which will be reflected in their selling price. The average person can also find plenty of luxury pool villas available in the more affordable bracket. Although property laws are well established it is always recommended that you consult an expert in these matters before engaging into any agreement or purchase. A professional and reliable local or international legal firm can help in the process as they will have the experience and skills necessary to ensure your sale is legal and goes smoothly. Different types of ownership structures can be drawn out very clearly so that you can check if a property is appropriate for purchasing. Buying a property anywhere is a huge investment in itself and it is only prudent to arm yourself with an expert by your side. Most developments are offered for sale on a leasehold basis as Thai law dictates foreigners are prohibited to own freehold land, for that reason a succession of renewable 30 year leases are arranged. Anyone who buys a luxury property here can do so with ease because the area will be protected by environmentally-friendly practises and restrictions. With the natural beauty of the island protected, all future projects can only benefit anyone interested in investing in quality property in Phuket. The best thing about buying a property in Phuket is that you can always rent it out to other holiday makers when you are not in the country, earning some returns this way. Like every good thing it takes time to find the perfect location and property that you desire for an investment or vacation home at a price you can afford. It is worth staying here for an extended period of time to have a look and feel of each area before you make up your mind.
This Article Has Been Published on Thu, 3 Feb 2011 and Read 224 Times