No wonder the Thai's are known for their smiles; but then again they have plenty to grin about with world-class beaches, excellent scuba diving, golf, trekking and fragrant food.  Attracting more visitors than any other country in southeast Asia, Thailand seems to have it all, including some attractively priced property bargains.

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Country Profile
Capital City: Bangkok
Area: 517,000 sq km / 199,614 sq miles
Population: 65,000,000
Time Zone: GMT/UCT +7
Country Dialing Code: +66
Currency: Baht (bht)

Climate
Thailand has a tropical climate with high temperatures and high humidity.  April and May are the hottest months of the year with a monsoon season running from May to September.  November to February are the best months of the year with a cooling North East breeze and reduced humidity level making things more bearable.

Country Highlights
Thailand has plenty to offer any visitor from natural to cultural wonders.  In the capital Bangkok, enjoy world class shopping combined with some of the worlds finest temples.  A blend of westernized concrete and air conditioning combined with Asian go-go bars, fragrant markets and traffic jams, Bangkok is a city you won't forget.  Chiang Mai in the north has over 300 temples set against a mountain backdrop for culture junkies, while Phuket in the south offers beautiful beaches loaded with plenty of amenities and entertainments for those looking to top up their tan.     

Accessibility
Due to it's popularity as a tourist destination Thailand is one of the most accessible parts of South East Asia.  There are several international flights to Thailand daily from the UK and prices can be as low as £250 return.

Permanent Move
Thailand offers world-class facilities at prices that compare favourably with the established Mediterranean resorts. Only an overnight flight away, Pattaya and Phuket have international schools, first-class hospitals, shopping centres, and an excellent range of dining and entertainment facilities.  These contribute to making Thailand an attractive proposition for those with a permanent escape in mind. Instead of retiring to a cottage in Cornwall or a bungalow in Spain why not contemplate retiring to a villa in Phuket with a private pool, and enjoy the tropical climate.  Not to mention a quality of life that would not be affordable in Europe.

30 day visas are issued to UK residents on arrivals and these can be extended once for 10 days by visiting your nearest immigration department before the expiry date.  Every time you leave and re-enter Thailand at any border post you will be issued a new 30 day visa no matter how quickly you return.  60 day tourist visas are also available and can be renewed for a further 30 days.  There are a range of long term visas availiable depending on what your plans are in Thailand.

Buying Property
Although a foreigner can own buildings freehold, this doesn't extend to the land they are built on, but various options are available to negotiate this pothole in the unpaved road to paradise. These include 30 year leases with options for renewal and ownership of shares in a land-owning company. Both of these systems have been tried and tested, and whilst it is possible to buy a property subject to an incomplete or poor legal structure, with good advice, people can buy with peace of mind and security.

Destination Hot Spots
Phuket - The major tourist hub in the Andaman Sea on the west coast has a reputation as an upmarket exotic escape.  Despite the tsunami in 2004 the property market in Phuket remains strong.  While Asian buyers tend to be more superstitious about tsunami affected areas, British buyers appear to see the tsunami as a once is a lifetime occurrence. Their wish to invest in Phuket has not reduced at all.  In fact, some agents have reported that capital appreciation in Phuket has varied on average from 15 to 20 per cent over the past four years, although prices for selected properties have risen by 50–100 per cent between the launch of a project and the transfer of title deeds.  It is generally considered that the island's property market heading along the same path as Spain.  At Cape Panwa, three-bedroom villas with pools at CBRE's Tamarind Phuket development are available from 25 million baht (£360,000), while single-storey hillside properties at Prima Villas in nearby Karon are available from 13 million baht (£187,000). With beachfront building restrictions now in place, this is as close as you can hope to get to the coast if buying a new property.  For those looking to let out their Thai property, take note: Phuket also offers the strongest holiday rental market in Thailand, with plenty of management agencies on hand to help absent owners.

Pattaya - The property market in Pattaya, Thailand's most popular and most developed holiday destination, is being driven by its proximity to Bangkok, and the forthcoming Suvarnabhumi airport. More and more people buying houses and condominium units in Pattaya as first homes, as second homes for leisure and relaxation, and as retirement residences.  With so much beachfront land available, property development only just beginning and top quality property from only £15,000, this is the number one place to be investing money.  A beachfront condominiums in the Sails development will start from 5.7 million baht (£82,000), which will be just one hour by road from the new airport.

Koh Samui - A popular tourist island in the Gulf, Koh Samui also offers excellent investment potential.  Prices are just beginning to escalate and anyone looking to invest should really be buying in the next few months to take advantage of this. A three-bedroom detached villa will cost from 8.5 million baht (£110,000).

Koh Chang - With internal flights direct from Bangkok, this island is easily accessible and growing in popularity. With unspoilt beaches and at present there are no developments it has mainly a place where the rich Thai visit for weekends and holidays. However, things are about to change as Harlequin has just released plans for 14 villas at Chang Noi, with prices starting from £67,000, rising to £142,000 for a beachfront location.

Useful website:
Tourism Authority of Thailand