For nearly two decades, my now ex-husband and I made frequent trips from the UK to Thailand, always drawn to the charm of Koh Samui. But it wasn’t until we had our daughter that we decided to relocate permanently.
In the UK, we lived in a typical suburban family home with a garden. We could walk to our daughter’s school. But it rained all the time and was cold because, well, it was England.
We moved to Samui nine years ago. We saw it as an ideal place to raise our daughter, providing her with more freedom and opportunities in a less congested environment.
The tropical weather in Samui solidified our decision.
Zanette Francis
Career and life changes
My ex-husband sold his business in the UK, and we moved to Samui in October 2016. Before arriving, we had purchased a small resort. It was one of the first places we had ever stayed in on Samui during a previous visit to the island. When we saw it was for sale, we put in a cheeky offer. We got it.
We didn’t take it on to make heaps of money — we saw it more as a lifestyle change. We lived on-site in one of the resort’s seven villas.
But I got a bit bored. After 18 months of working at the resort, I decided to return to real estate. Since then, I’ve been focused on selling luxury villas on the island.
Villas in Samui have been getting more buzz since the third season of “The White Lotus” came out. My friends in real estate have been talking to me about “The White Lotus effect,” noticing more Americans booking beachfront villas. But I think it’s a bit early to judge how much the show will impact real estate sales.
My husband and I separated, but we still own the resort and have managed to maintain an amicable relationship. The resort is up for sale. We both have new partners.
Island life
Adjusting to life in Thailand presented a few challenges, although the language barrier wasn’t as big a deal as I had imagined. Samui, being a popular tourist destination, has a large expat community and many locals who speak English.
Certain foods from Europe — things like French cheeses and wine — are much more expensive here due to import taxes. They can often be double or triple the price of what I’d pay back home.
The majority of tourists tend to stick to Chaweng Beach, Lamai Beach, and Bophut Beach, where most of the resorts and nightlife are concentrated. The Four Seasons Koh Samui, where scenes of “The White Lotus” were filmed, is an exception, as it’s in its own quiet little bay.
There is also an influx of party-goers passing through Samui on their way to the nearby Ko Pha-ngan island for the famous Full Moon parties, which was featured in an episode of “The White Lotus.”
The atmosphere on Samui itself remains surprisingly relaxed.
The slower pace of life in Samui has been a welcome change from the hustle of the UK. There is no rush to get anywhere. I find myself spending much more time in nature, soaking up the sun and the natural beauty of the island. The beaches, the warm weather, and the community-oriented way of life have made it a perfect place to raise a child.
Healthcare is very good, too, and more private hospitals have opened over the years. While I have to pay for private insurance, I feel well-covered and safe.
Zanette Francis
Real estate on the island
Samui has everything from little bungalows to multimillion-dollar villas for sale.
I live in Bophut, about five minutes from the popular area of Fisherman’s Village on the northern coast of Samui. I own a three-bedroom garden villa with a private pool.
The real estate industry in Samui has grown significantly, especially since the pandemic. More families, particularly younger ones, have moved to the island, many of them attracted by the lifestyle changes it offers.
The rise of remote work has made Samui even more appealing to expats, with families settling here long-term. The demand for properties has increased, and over the years, more international schools have opened to accommodate the growing expat community.
Looking ahead, I can’t see us leaving anytime soon. My daughter, now 13, is settled in her international school, and my plan is for her to finish here. That means at least five more years.
For now, Koh Samui feels like home.
