Expats in Southeast Asia are relocating their families to Phuket while commuting to work in major cities such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok, the Phuket Gazette reported. Phuket’s international airport has made it easy of people living on the tropical island to commute to work in nearby cities during the week and return to Phuket on the weekends.
Kevin Hodges of Siam Real Estate told the newspaper that living standards, cost of living expenses and infrastructure in Phuket is a major draw for families who would otherwise be living in much smaller and more expensive properties. This is especially true in places like Singapore and Hong Kong.
It is possible for a family to own or rent a four-plus bedroom villa with a private pool and other amenities in Phuket at close to the same price they would pay for a two-bedroom condo in Singapore. This is an important aspect to consider for families who need additional space and amenities as well as privacy.
Phuket has a number of international-standard medical facilities, improving infrastructure, beaches, numerous leisure activities, a low cost of living and a growing expat community that is making more feasible for people to live here and work further afield, according to Hodges.
Another draw for families relocating to Phuket is the growing number of international schools found on the island. According to the Phuket Gazette, there are now 13 such schools on Phuket with 10 having been established in the past decade. Demand for places in international schools from both expats and Thai families is greater than ever before and a number of these school are expanding.
With the ASEAN Economic Community soon to go into effect, it is expected that more expats and possibly even Thais could choose Phuket as the place to locate their family while working in Bangkok or other cities in Southeast Asia.
