Thailand property investment
Thailand has long intrigued and welcomed tourists. The exotic islands off the coast of the mainland are where some of the best investment developments are taking place. Claire Brown of Claire Brown Realty says, "For investment in Thailand you are mostly looking at beach resort property. Whilst Phuket is fairly expensive, Koh Samui is more reasonable. Properties that are close to the beach or that have sea views are the best choices. Search around and make sure that you are not paying over the odds." These markets are attracting increasing amounts of travellers from the UK, thanks to budget airlines and a steady following from expats living in cities like Singapore and Hong Kong. Double-digit returns are predicted on Thai beach property over the next two years.

Seychelles property investment
A honeymooner's favourite, the Seychelles islands offer some of the most exclusive and luxurious resorts in the world. In recent years, development of the area has been actively encouraged with new investor-friendly laws that make investment a reality. The building of the man-made island Eden is another step taken by the country to create viable investment opportunities.

Vietnam and cambodia property investment
Vietnam and Cambodia are both hoping to put their turbulent histories to rest and carve a future of economic growth and prosperity. The countries are both ports of call for backpackers, and with tropical climates, lush vegetation and beautiful beaches, there is a lot to offer. Of Cambodia, Brown says, "I would be quite nervous about buying off-plan as the economy is still developing, and there have been no proven success stories. I think the best investment would be in the capital of Cambodia (Phnom Penh) where you can let out to the sizable portion of expats in the country."

Japan property investment
After a hefty fall in property prices due to economic recession, Japan is finally bouncing back and shrewd investors could find that, with the right moves, there is a yen or two to be made. Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya are some of the areas to watch out for, with prices and demand expected to rise substantially over the next three years.

Philippines property investment
The Philippines is currently throwing up some of the most lucrative Asian property investment opportunities. Brown says, "The Philippines is a great place to buy property,
particularly in the capital Manila. It has a sophisticated business system and they speak a good level of English. If you buy an apartment in the city you can rent it out to workers and expect a high yield from there." For Philippine beach property, Boracay Island is looking at growth of around 18 per cent per annum over the next few years.

Sri Lanka property investment
The political climate in Sri Lanka is slightly shaky, but there are certain spots where tourist numbers continue to make the country an appealing option for the savvy investor. However, there is a high rate of taxation which can put off investors, although there are ways around this. Either way, you will need to thoroughly research the market. 

Bali property investment
After confidence was shaken by the terrorist bombings and financial troubles, travellers to Indonesia's popular island of Bali are growing in number. The island is a particular favourite among Australian and Kiwi travellers and is now becoming more popular among travellers from Malaysia and Singapore. Property prices have risen in recent years but are not looking like they're ready to level out just yet.

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Related articles:
Property in Asia: Thailand and beyond
Asian beach property
The two faces of property in Malaysia

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Article published 2 July 2007