The Phuket real estate market is experiencing growth, driven by increasing foreign demand, a trend of long-term stays, and investment plans totaling over US$14 billion (450 billion baht) as Phuket moves towards becoming a long-term residential and lifestyle destination.

Mr. Bill Barnett, Managing Director of C9 Hotelworks, revealed, “Phuket is becoming a ‘safe haven’ for foreign investment in Asia, driven not only by tourist volume but also by the changing quality of demand. India has surged 47% and Russia remains the top destination. Furthermore, ADR has increased by 8-10%, despite a slight decrease in occupancy rates. These figures clearly demonstrate that Phuket is entering a new, stronger and more sustainable resort economy.”

Prawputh Liptapanlop, Managing Director of Proud Real Estate Public Company Limited, developer of the US$77 million The Residences at InterContinental Phuket Resort, stated, “Today’s international buyers have more sophisticated needs and prioritize quality, lifestyle, and attention to detail. Phuket has grown into a world-class residential destination. And modern buyers are looking for well-being, thoughtful design, and long-term community living, and our branded residences reliably meet these needs with consistent standards.”

Thitiwat Kuwijit Suwan, CEO of Capstone Asset Co., Ltd., added, “Lifestyle-driven developments are setting new standards for investment today. Buyers are no longer just looking at space, but also valuing authenticity, nature, wellness concepts, and thoughtful design. Phuket’s new wave of developments is driven more by lifestyle than by buildings.”

Design leaders from Gardens of Eden, BLINK Design Group, and Sudara Residences Phuket agree that the industry is entering a new era of placemaking, sustainability, and developments that truly blend with Phuket’s natural surroundings.

Another highlight is the participation of ThirdHome, the world’s largest luxury home exchange platform, which launched in the region for the first time this year. Mr. Wade Sheely, Founder and Chairman of the company, stated, “Today’s second-home buyers want more than just property ownership; they want flexibility, a seamless travel experience, and access to a world-class community. By integrating ThirdHome into our projects, Phuket developers can transform real estate into a 'global passport,' delivering added value to buyers and helping projects stand out in an increasingly competitive premium market. ThirdHome is focusing on Southeast Asia as developers accelerate their transformation to meet the needs of a new generation of high-paying buyers.

Mr. David Johnson, CEO of Delivering Asia, joined Mr. Wade Sheely, Founder and CEO of ThirdHome, on the stage to discuss the "Vacation Homeshare Model and its Impact on Real Estate Development." Emerging trends such as co-living, serviced apartments, homeshare platforms, rent-to-own models, and cryptocurrency-enabled transactions all reflect Phuket's transition to a more complex and diverse real estate ecosystem.

The Phuket Real Estate Forum 2025 was part of The C9 Sessions, which aims to educate industry insiders, stimulate innovation, and foster cross-sector collaboration. With over 300 attendees, the inaugural event offered a glimpse into the profound transformation of Asia's resort economy, which is being redefined from the ground up through the integration of Real Estate, Services, Finance, and Design

From the beginning of the year to September 2025, Phuket International Airport saw a total of 6.3 million passengers, comprising 3.8 million international and 2.4 million domestic. This represents a 0.7% increase year-on-year and a 9.2% increase in the first quarter, driven by continued strong foreign demand. In terms of real estate, there are currently 43,481 primary residential units, with 5,208 new hotel rooms opening from 2026 to 2029, bringing the total number of rooms to 102,109 within four years. This reflects Phuket's emergence as a prominent luxury lifestyle and investment destination in Asia.

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