Market Note · 3 min read
Phuket foreign buyer demand in September 2026: what the latest transfer data signals
Oakbrick CornerStone Realty ·
Thailand's Real Estate Information Center published its second quarter figures for condominium ownership transferred to foreign nationals this month. Around 3,292 units changed hands nationwide, a reported rise of about 1.4 per cent against the same quarter last year. The value of those transfers, at around 14.8 billion baht, was reported up about 20.2 per cent. Volume was broadly flat while value moved sharply, and that gap is the part worth reading.
Fewer transactions, larger tickets
Total floor area transferred was reported up around 8.1 per cent, so buyers took more space as well as paying more. Across the first half the direction was softer: around 6,533 units, reported down about 8.8 per cent, while value fell only around 1.5 per cent. Foreign buyers accounted for a reported 10.2 per cent of units transferred in the quarter but around 20 per cent of transfer value.
The nationality mix matters for Phuket in particular. Chinese buyers remained the largest group by value, although their first half total was reported down about 27.7 per cent. Russian buyers moved the other way, with first half transfer value of around 3.6 billion baht, reported up about 75.9 per cent, and that demand is reported to concentrate in Phuket and Chonburi. The registry published no province level split, so the island's own share is not separately confirmed.
Oakbrick's view
A market in which value outpaces volume is consolidating around its upper end rather than broadening. For owners, that supports well located and well specified stock, and offers less comfort to generic inventory competing on price alone. For buyers, it argues for patience on selection and scepticism towards any launch priced off headline growth. We treat one quarter as a signal rather than a trend, and would want the next release, ideally with a provincial breakdown, before drawing firm conclusions about Phuket.
Source: Thailand Real Estate Information Center and published market reports.