Mai Khao — Phuket Area
Infrastructure
Mai Khao beach - the northernmost and longest beach in Phuket. The coastline stretches for over 11 km in length - the beach ends at the Sarasin Bridge. This bridge connects the island of Phuket and the mainland of Thailand. Locals divide Mai Khao into two beaches - Mai Khao and Sai Keo (part of the coast just before the bridge). However, if searching up on the maps - the entire beach is actually united by one name. It is partially located in the Sirinath National Park.
Mai Khao is popular with tourists
Photo
Map view
FAQ — Mai Khao
Properties for sale in this location
Properties for rent in this location
Buying in Mai Khao as a Foreign National
A focused legal, tax, visa and lifestyle briefing for foreign buyers considering property in Mai Khao. Information is general guidance — InDreams Phuket recommends consulting a Thai-licensed lawyer before signing any reservation agreement.
Property Ownership Rules
Foreigners can hold a condominium unit as 100% freehold in their own name, provided the project remains within the 49% foreign ownership quota under the Thailand Condominium Act B.E. 2522. Ownership is registered at the Land Office and the title (Chanote) is issued directly to the buyer.
- Funds for the purchase must be remitted from abroad in foreign currency.
- A Foreign Exchange Transaction (FET) form is required from the receiving Thai bank.
- Ownership is permanent, inheritable, and freely transferable to another foreigner.
Foreigners cannot directly own land in Thailand. For villas and houses, the standard structure is a registered 30-year leasehold with two contractual 30-year renewal options, plus full freehold ownership of the building (the structure itself).
- Lease is registered at the Land Office and noted on the title deed (Chanote).
- Building / structure can be owned in the foreigner's name via a separate construction permit.
- Alternative routes: Thai limited company ownership, BOI-approved investment, or a Thai-national long-term partner.
Investment Returns
Net rental yields in Phuket's prime west-coast areas typically range from 5% to 8% per annum, depending on building age, management quality, season and asset class. Capital appreciation in established areas has historically averaged 5–7% per year. Individual projects in Mai Khao may offer contractual rental programmes with developer-guaranteed returns — see each property listing for project-specific terms.
Tax & Fees for Foreign Buyers
Total combined closing costs for a foreign buyer typically fall in the 3–5% range of the purchase price, depending on the deal structure and how transfer fees are split. InDreams Phuket can request a written closing-cost estimate from our partner law firm before you commit.
Visa Pathways for Property Owners
The flagship visa for foreign investors and high-income professionals. Four eligibility tracks: Wealthy Global Citizen (USD 1M+ in assets & USD 80K income), Wealthy Pensioner (age 50+, USD 80K pension/year), Work-from-Thailand Professional, and Highly Skilled Professional. Tax incentives include a flat 17% rate for HSP and no taxation on foreign-source income brought in.
The fastest and most popular route for property buyers who do not qualify for LTR. No income, age, or investment requirements beyond the one-time membership fee. Includes airport fast-track, dedicated concierge, and 90-day reporting handled by the program.
Available to foreigners who invest at least 10,000,000 THB in qualifying assets, including condominium units registered as freehold to the applicant. Renewable indefinitely while the investment is maintained.
Long-established option for buyers aged 50 and above. Requires either 800,000 THB on a Thai bank deposit or a monthly income of 65,000 THB. O-X variant grants a 5-year stay for nationals of selected countries.
Lifestyle for Expats in Mai Khao
Mai Khao is the longest beach on Phuket, an 11 kilometre stretch on the very north end of the island, mostly protected as part of Sirinat National Park. Because of that protection, the coastline is almost free of the usual shophouse strip. Development here means a thin line of large resorts, JW Marriott, Anantara, Renaissance, SALA, Marriott Vacation Club, set behind a wide casuarina belt, with very little outside them. Foreign residents in Mai Khao are typically owners inside one of the branded residences attached to those resorts, or buyers in the small condo and villa clusters that sit just inland of the highway. The community is small, older and quiet, with a strong share of European and Asian second-home owners who use the property a few months a year. The main practical advantage of living here is the airport, which is six to ten minutes by car, so travel-heavy buyers and pilots actually consider it the best base on the island. The trade-off is the rest of the infrastructure. There is no real town strip, no walking grocery, and a trip to the international schools or major hospital is a 25 minute drive south. The beach itself is fantastic: empty most of the year, with sea turtles still nesting in season, and a noticeable absence of jet skis.
- UWC Thailand International School 16 km
- British International School Phuket (BISP) 22 km
- HeadStart International School (Cherngtalay campus) 18 km
- Berda Claude International School 19 km
Turtle Village shopping plaza next to JW Marriott (cafes, mini-mart, small boutiques); Anantara Mai Khao village dining; Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation visitor area; Boat Avenue and Porto de Phuket about 20 km south for full grocery shopping; Phuket International Airport area for Makro and chain supermarkets.
Thalang Hospital — public (8 km); Bangkok Hospital Phuket (32 km); Mission Hospital Phuket in Phuket Town (35 km). No large private hospital on the north end; serious cases route to Bangkok Hospital Phuket by ambulance.
JW Marriott Phuket Resort beach bar, Anantara Mai Khao Villas pool bar and Sala Mai Khao restaurant, Renaissance Phuket Resort beachfront dining, Turtle Village casual restaurants, SALA Phuket Mai Khao beachfront restaurant.