Thailand is famed for being one of the world’s top tourist destinations, with over 35 million visitors each year coming from all parts of the globe.
A favored destination for many, Thailand is more than just cheap thrills and cheap foods – it has become a haven for the rich and the richer, with some of the world’s most luxurious hotel and resort chains sprouting here and there, luxury real estate and residences, most especially in the far-flung islands offering the most exclusive accommodations on the planet.
Lifestyle in Thailand
From fine dining to world-class shopping, incredible accommodation that’s out of this world, to private charters and yachts that take you from one island to another, luxury travel and living are truly at its best in the “Land of Smiles.”
Arrive in Bangkok and you’ll find that the bustling city is a curious mix of old-world charm and modernity in all its glory. You’ll find malls catering to the high-end market only, where brand after brand of luxurious goods and fashion fill its floors. Areas such as Sukhumvit, Lumphini, and Sathorn are some of the city’s prime commercial centers.
A place where most of the business in Thailand is sealed, packed, and delivered, Bangkok also boasts of being the major hub to reach the paradise islands of Phuket, Koh Samui, and the mountainside city of Chiang Mai, destinations where business and pleasure intertwine.
Read our comprehensive guide about living in Thailand.
Real Estate and Properties
One of the best investments you can do in Thailand is definitely real estate. Bangkok offers top-notch residences for luxury city living. Though properties have evolved into condominiums and high rise towers, land and homes are still up for grabs in many areas of this bustling city.
Aside from Bangkok, leasing or buying property in Thailand including other cities such as Pattaya, Koh Samui, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and the lesser-known Hua Hin are great options. Pattaya is just a couple of hours away from Bangkok, being a metropolitan city as well but also offering a laid-back beach atmosphere. Koh Samui, rivaling Phuket as a tropical destination for the luxury traveler, is another great area to invest in. Phuket, of course, the most popular destination in Thailand, is definitely on the top of the list; while Chiang Mai, dubbed as Thailand’s 2nd city, has a booming real estate industry with a price growth that trumps over Bangkok. And Hua Hin, a city close to Bangkok, is a city where billions of dollars are being spent on development, slowly becoming a favored destination for foreigners and wealthy Thai nationals.
If you desire to own property in any of these places, a great idea to start with is to lease the property long-term such as a year, so you can get the feel of the place before you decide to make the purchase.
See a list of properties for sale in Thailand.
Luxury Accommodations
This is the country where you’ll find the most luxurious hotel chains in its cities, while on the islands, you’ll find the most incredible beach resorts, mountain resorts, golf resorts, wellness resorts, and exclusive private villas that are just jaw-dropping, to say the least.
Among the most incredible accommodations include the Mandarin Oriental in Bangkok, where the legendary, 5-star hotel is located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, and featuring no less than 9 restaurants on site.
If you want to get away from buildings and the noise of cars honking and people everywhere you see, head over to Rayavadee Krabi, where it sits on the edge of the Krabi Marine National Park amidst lush jungle, coconut groves, breathtaking natural beauty, and 5-star accommodation and service that will make you feel like royalty.
And for unrivaled exclusivity, the Soneva Kiri in Koh Kood in the Gulf of Thailand offers you genuine privacy, exclusivity, and absolute luxury like no other. Reachable through a 90-minute plane ride from Bangkok on board the resort’s private plane, the breathtaking resort is like heaven on earth. You will have a private butler on arrival, and an expansive villa that seems hours away from other guests, and an absolutely beautiful seascape that you’ll dream about for the rest of your life.
For a luxurious home-away-from-home type of accommodation, luxury private villa rentals in Phuket and villa rentals in Koh Samui are the way to go. These properties feature private pools, chef, and staff with 5-star in-villa facilities where you can enjoy your holiday in ultimate privacy with your family and friends.
Activities
When most people think of Thailand, they think of Phuket, the Phi Phi Islands, and all the beautiful beaches with their powdery, fine white sand, and the bluest clear waters. And yes, the beautiful Andaman Sea islands are just that – absolute perfection. And the best way to get around and discover islands and coves and private beaches? A private yacht that’s yours only – getting you from one incredible private beach to another.
And when you think of Thai food, what do you think of? Pad Thai? Street food that’s dirt cheap? Well, not exactly. Fine dining is at its best in Thailand, where gourmet restaurants fill hotels and resorts, not just offering incredible cuisine, but experiences as well. Take for example, Vertigo, found at Banyan Tree Bangkok, where you’ll enjoy the most beautiful view of the city from the 61st floor; or the restaurants in luxury resorts, where you sit on a hanging tree pod and get served by staff that bring your food on a zip line; fine dining in Bangkok is a must to experience.
And for golf lovers, you’ll truly find your favorite among the courses and resorts in the country, with Thailand being the golf capital of Asia, boasting of over a hundred sites across scenic locations. One such course is the Alpine Golf Resort, having been designed by the globally acclaimed golf course designer Mr. Ron M Garl.
And when your day has ended from shopping, swimming, exploring, island hopping, and golfing, Thailand’s luxury spas are just waiting for you for some much-needed pampering and healing.
Specialized treatments are yours to discover, such as the post-shopping therapy treatment at Spa Athenee, or the Golf Revival treatment specifically for golf players. If you want to hit two birds in one stone, head over to the Kamalaya Koh Samui Wellness, where you can enjoy both a tropical holiday and wellness retreat all in one – the beachfront resort offers personalized treatments and healing therapies, but also incredibly luxurious accommodations.
Not just the playground of the young and the restless, Thailand has been established as Asia’s leading luxury destination, offering the best of the best of what the world has to offer for luxury travel and living.
