Some Numbers

According to local rag Samui Express, (candidate for least-serious newspaper of the year) and my own sleuthing:

*** In Bang Por (N Samui, OK place), you have have a 1-2 bed house, not far from the beach, for Bt 3 - 5M (60-100kGBP), including land, all mod cons.

*** In Chaweng (busy tourist ghetto), land prices are as high as 80M Bt per rai. 1 rai = 1,600m2. That's 1,000GBP/m2. This compares with 13,800GBP/m2 in prime central London, and 30,000GBP/m2 in Monte Carlo.

*** Purchasing power of foreign investors has fallen 20-50%, according to a local estate agent.