Thailand, also known as “the Spain of the east”, has always been one of the most popular spots for holiday makers and investors. High-demand areas for foreigners in Thailand are the beach resorts Phukett and Pattaya, the city of Bangkok and Chaing Mai, the country´s second largest city.
The islands are popular holiday and retirement destinations, although there is a growing professional expatriate community of around 8,000 people living permanently in Phukett (2009). As a result of high property demand, prices on islands such as Pataya, Phuket or Koh Samui are not cheap. If you are buying on a budget, you should avoid popular locations.