Property for sale in Plai Laem, Koh Samui

At the north-eastern tip of the island, Plai Laem lies between the Big Buddha and Choeng Mon. It is a place apart: small, calm bays, quiet beaches and some of Samui's most prestigious resorts, set on the headlands and hills that look out towards Koh Phangan. The Wat Plai Laem temple, with its large white statue at the edge of a lake, and the neighbouring Big Buddha also make it one of the most visited spots on the island, yet the area has kept its calm. To the north, the wilder Samrong bay remains one of the most peaceful on the island.

Daily life here is easy. Seafront restaurants, cafés and small shops are a few minutes away, and the supermarkets and international hospitals of Bophut and Chaweng 10–15 minutes. The international schools in the north-east of the island are a short drive away, and the beaches of Choeng Mon and Bangrak are close by when you fancy a different place to swim.

Above all, it is one of the best-connected neighbourhoods on Samui: the airport is 5–10 minutes away, Fisherman's Village around 10 minutes and Chaweng 10–15 minutes. The Bangrak piers, right next door, serve Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. In short, you can land on Samui and be home 15 minutes later.

The property market here is scarce and fairly high-end: few properties come up, often pool villas in quiet lanes, along with a handful of houses right on the sand and sea-view villas on the hillsides. Plai Laem appeals to buyers who want a refined, peaceful setting without being far from anything, and who have both resale and holiday rentals in mind, with good rental potential among a discerning clientele.