About Phuket
Phuket is the largest island in Thailand. At 540 square kilometres, it's about the same size as Singapore. Just over an hour by jet from Bangkok or Singapore, and with daily connections to most major Asian airports, Phuket is ideally situated for a short break or a relaxing vacation.
Phuket Climate and Temperatures
Year-round temperatures on Phuket vary between 21-34 ˚C. Water temperatures range from 26-28˚C, which means wetsuits are not necessary to enjoy water sports. The northeast monsoon season, roughly November till April, brings consistently sunny weather, cool breezes and low humidity, with moderate seas.
The southwest monsoon, May till October, sees the rainiest and most unpredictable weather along with frequent swells off the Indian Ocean.
Economic
Tin mining was a major source of income for the island from the 16th century until petering out in the 20th century. In modern times, Phuket's economy has rested on two pillars: rubber tree plantations (making Thailand the biggest producer of rubber in the world[16]) andtourism.[17]
Since the 1980s, the sandy beaches on the west coast of the island have been developed as tourist destinations, with Patong, Karon, and Kata being the most popular. Since the 2004 tsunami, all damaged buildings and attractions have been restored. Phuket is being intensely developed, with many new hotels, apartments, and houses under construction. As of 2015 there were 47,475 hotel rooms, with another 4,400 rooms expected to be built by 2018. [18] In July 2005, Phuket was voted one of the world's top five retirement destinations byFortune Magazine.[19] There are thousands of expatriates living on Phuket, many of them retirees.[citation needed].
Legal restrictions
Can foreigners buy property in Thailand?
Foreigners are not allowed to own land in Thailand by law. If interested in buying, a foreign investor has two options: either a 30-year leasehold or purchasing the property through a limited company. Apartments can be purchased by foreigners as long as at least 51% of the building is owned by Thais.
Leasing land in Thailand
A foreigner can lease land for 30 years in Thailand. However, leasing is rather unusual, in most cases this occurs when a foreign man marries a Thai woman: the Thai woman, as a Thai citizen, purchases the land and stipulates a lease agreement with her foreign husband.
No matter who you lease from, make sure that all data on the deed is accurate, and that the land you are leasing has the appropriate title. Usually, the leasing contract states the duration of the lease, the buyer´s right to resell it and the registration fee.
Buying an apartment as a foreigner
Due to the legal restrictions mentioned above, most foreigners choose to simply buy a condominium or apartment in Thailand. However, a foreigner can only purchase a condominium in his/her own name, as long as at least 51% of the building is owned by Thai people.