The search for the next big resort vacation spot in Thailand is a fully huge ask. Basic with 77 provinces and an incredible array of diverse geographical locations, Instagram-worthy elements, and distinctly completely different nuances. Out of this brazen travel chaos, the endearing time period ‘same identical, but different’ was born and stays extremely related.
Yet, one of many simple truths of emerging destinations stays the adage “you can’t keep there should you can’t get there”. Potential is one thing but reality bites when attending to it’s just too painful for phrases. Here in Thailand, considered one of my favourite locations is Koh Samui. It marches to its own drum beat, and the vibe is undeniable. Still, access is rarely simple, the cost to get there’s on the high aspect, and options for access are limited.
Scanning the Gulf of Thailand, different bohemian seaside islands including Koh Chang, Koh Tao, and Koh Phangan all are beautiful however suffer a similar challenge, restricted transportation access. The seek for a modern-day Robinson Crusoe can’t be this hard? Or can it?
The seek for azure blue seas stretches of long white sand, and coconut-lined seashores brings me to Khanom. For so many travellers the mention of the title attracts a clean stare and the perfunctory ‘where’? Set on the Southeastern Coast of Thailand’s mainland between Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat. On a clear day, you probably can see Koh Samui and the famed five islands on the horizon.
Perhaps the cherry on high for Khanom, is that it provides the same gorgeous seashores as Koh Samui but being on the mainland is a far easier proposition for a holiday or second house. Drive-to destinations in Thailand in the course of the pandemic and after have been a boom for travellers, and are now an even stronger draw card for hotel and actual estate developers. Look at the success of Khao Yai and Hua Hin where nature, area, and accessibility are key components within the mix.
One of my preferred demand mills when evaluating resort locations is airlift. Simply put, the magic carpet effect. Khanom is easily accessible to Surat Thani International Airport and Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport where Thailand’s Department of Airports (DoA) has upgraded infrastructure to double capability.
Stepping back and taking a look at property in the area, there might be still access to larger land parcels. According to main Thai property portal FazWaz, investment-grade real property opportunities with reasonable land value basis reflect the pricing of early-stage improvement.
Based on C9 Hotelworks’ ongoing analysis of Thailand’s resort residential markets, a defined shift again to end-users and urge in second or holiday-home patrons has pushed the sector to the start of a model new cycle. This signals an uptick in progress but unlike more developed markets like Phuket, Hua Hin, or Koh Samui with prime land parcels hovering, Khanom presents an accessible seaside vacation spot with significantly lower underlying land costs. It has airlift and a well-developed street network..