Since the 1980's, Koh Samui has seen a steady increase in the number of residential developments on offer close to its pristine beaches and lush topography. Thailand's third largest island boasts more than just luxury hotels, an improving infrastructure, coupled with some top restaurants, international hospitals, bars, and appealing shopping centres has paved the way for an influx of visitors who have found the island's quality properties another reason to make this a top second home destination.

Accessibility is another appealing feature of the island with direct one-hour flights from Bangkok to Koh Samui International Airport or the nearby mainland city of Surat Thani, which can also be reached by a road and train from the capital. While many visitors stay for short periods of time to enjoy the island's beaches and tropical excursions, there are those who have tapped into the island's property market, where luxury is becoming a standard feature in a number of residential developments.

Though the price of building new property has increased in various parts of Thailand in the last few years, foreign interest in the resort islands has created not only a competitive market, but also a demand for the best. Companies, such as Horizon Homes, have made it a priority to focus on quality design and construction where panoramic views, easy access to beaches and luxury, private communities are setting a benchmark for the new Samui lifestyle.

Many developers have also moved away from building in the busier parts of the island to give buyers and renters the chance to experience Samui in its most natural and uninhibited form. Still, the island's size makes it possible to be in a secluded area while at the same time being only a short drive from fine restaurants and nightlife. Architects offer a number of different designs that can either be a creation of the owner's ideals or a completely new concept from the developer. European kitchens, pool-side salas, and shaded decks have become signatures in many of the newer developments, and professional designers are constantly looking for the new ways to style the best homes on Samui.

The green trend has also been incorporated into many Samui developments as international buyers are keen to stay up-to-date with sustainable architecture and use eco-friendly materials that not only look good, but keep carbon footprints low. One of the most popular materials used for houses on Samui is reconditioned teak that incorporates a tropical feel while also supporting local manufacturers and protecting forests.

As Samui's real estate and property markets move into the future, the island is beginning to see a change in customers. With the Eurozone making some buyers more cautious, those form various parts of Asia have continued to see consistent economic growth, which is encouraging new investors from the region to look for a second home on the island.