For sale
Area guide
Surin, Kamala and Kalim luxury property guide
Between Bang Tao and Patong the west coast turns steep, and the houses climb with it. This stretch holds some of Phuket's most valuable homes, set on headlands above the Andaman Sea. Here is how Surin, Kamala and Kalim compare, and what it takes to buy here.
The feel
This is the dramatic part of the coast. Where Bang Tao is long and flat, Surin and Kamala are a series of bays separated by rocky headlands, with the hillsides rising straight from the water. Homes are built into the slope for the view, and sunset is the main event of the day.
Surin is small and smart. A short, steep beach, a handful of exclusive resorts and a cluster of villas on the hills behind. It is quiet in a deliberate way.
Kamala is livelier and more of a real town, with a long beach, a Thai village behind it and its own market, temple and school. It has grown fast without losing its local character.
Kalim sits at the southern end, on the headland just north of Patong. The winding road over the hill between Kamala and Patong is the stretch locals call Millionaire's Mile.
Where to live
Surin Beach and Surin hills
The most exclusive pocket, with a mix of resort residences and private villas on the slopes behind the beach. Many owners keep homes here as second residences and let them through hotel or management programmes when they are away.
Laem Singh and the Surin to Kamala headland
The coast road between Surin and Kamala passes Laem Singh, a small cove reached on foot. Condo resorts here have some of the island's best sea views.
Kamala village and beach
Flat, walkable and close to the beach. Condos and townhouses dominate, making this a good entry point to the area.
Kamala hills and Millionaire's Mile
The headland road between Kamala and Patong, also called Kamala Headland. Large villas on steep plots, many with infinity pools facing west. Few homes come up for sale, and they rarely sit on the market for long.
Kalim
Five minutes from Patong's restaurants and nightlife but separated from it by the headland. Villas and sea-view condos with quick access to town.
There is no villa stock on Millionaire's Mile listed right now. If you are looking at that level, talk to Khun Mark directly: many homes on this stretch change hands privately.
Daily life
Beaches
Surin for a short, beautiful swim. Kamala for a long walk and a calmer bay. Laem Singh for a hidden cove. Bang Tao is ten minutes north.
Dining
Kamala has the widest choice, from beachfront Thai restaurants to sunset bars, with Café del Mar Phuket on the beach. Surin's restaurants sit mostly within its resorts. Boat Avenue and Porto de Phuket in Cherngtalay are a short drive north, and Patong is just over the hill.
Schools
Shining Stars School operates in Kamala. Most families here use the larger schools further afield: HeadStart's Cherngtalay campus and UWC Thailand to the north, or British International School Phuket in Koh Kaew.
Healthcare
Bangkok Hospital Phuket runs a clinic in Kamala and another in Laguna. Patong Hospital is over the hill, and the main private hospitals are in Phuket Town.
Getting to the airport
Allow around 30 to 45 minutes from Surin and Kamala in normal traffic, a little longer from Kalim.
Who it suits
- Buyers whose priority is the view and the sunset.
- Second-home owners who want a prestigious address and a strong holiday rental market when they are away.
- Condo buyers who want a walkable beach town without Patong's crowds.
It suits people less well if they want flat, easy streets for young children, or a big garden. Hillside plots are steep and gardens are usually terraces.
Buying here
Most condos on this stretch are sold on foreign freehold title within the building's 49% foreign quota, or on a registered 30-year lease once the quota is full.
Villas follow the national rules: foreigners cannot own land, so purchases are usually a registered land lease of up to 30 years plus ownership of the building. On hillside plots, check the building permits and any slope restrictions with your lawyer before you agree a price. Steep sites can carry rules on how much of a plot may be built on, and some older homes were built before current rules applied.
Many condos here sit inside resort rental programmes. Read the programme terms carefully. Some guarantee a return for a set period, others share income, and some restrict how often you can use your own home.
This is general guidance, not legal advice.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Where do millionaires live in Phuket?
The headland villas between Kamala and Patong, known as Millionaire's Mile, and the hills above Surin hold many of Phuket's most expensive homes. Cape Yamu on the east coast and parts of Layan are the other ultra-prime addresses.
What is Millionaire's Mile in Phuket?
It is the winding headland road between Kamala and Patong, also called Kamala Headland, lined with large ocean-view villas.
Can foreigners buy a condo in Surin or Kamala?
Yes. You can own a condo outright on foreign freehold title if the building's 49% foreign quota has space and you bring the money in from overseas in foreign currency.
How far is Kamala from the airport?
Around 30 to 45 minutes by car in normal traffic.
Searching on Millionaire's Mile?
Many homes here never reach the portals. Tell Khun Mark what you are looking for and he will look for it, on and off market.
