Happy New Year to you all, and let’s hope for a prosperous 2026 here in Hua Hin.
There were a lot of negative stories throughout 2025, but looking ahead, I genuinely believe Thailand is on the right track when it comes to improving the lifestyle for expats who want to call this country home. Yes, visas and banking have become more complicated for many. That frustration is real. However, while these changes are awkward right now, they may lead to a more structured and streamlined system further down the line. As with many things here, it simply takes time.
Andy Dyett, the Hua Hin Property Expert
For shorter-term visitors, the situation is tougher, and it’s a shame that a small minority of expats have affected what was once an easy “try before you buy” experience for everyone else. Still, I remain optimistic.
I’ve always been a glass half full person, and a recent and very enjoyable holiday to Dubai reinforced that outlook. Dubai is impressive, no question, but it comes at a cost. If you don’t have the income, staying there long-term after working life ends is simply not realistic unless you have strong financial backing elsewhere. I’ve seen the same thing, on a larger scale, in places like Singapore and Hong Kong, where property prices and day-to-day expenses can make long-term living difficult once employment stops.
In contrast, more people I speak to are looking at Thailand as a place where they can work online for part of the year and travel back to the office when needed. Others are already planning early retirement, moving from short holidays to longer stays, with the eventual goal of making Hua Hin their home.
At Hua Hin Property 2009, we still meet many frequent visitors to Thailand who are seeing Hua Hin for the first time. Their previous trips were often to busier resort towns or large cities, so while they have some experience of Thailand, Hua Hin feels different and new to them. The town is now firmly on the global map, but it offers a more normal, liveable way of life compared with many other parts of the country.
A free five-night hotel stay as part of our 2026 campaign
Because of this growing interest, we’ll be running a campaign throughout 2026 offering visitors the chance to return with a five-night hotel stay paid for, along with some golf and spa inclusions. You don’t need to be a buyer yet. If it’s something you may consider in the future, this offer could still be useful. If it sounds interesting, just drop me a message on WhatsApp or email.
Across Hua Hin, we’re seeing strong interest in new-build homes, and many new projects are appearing throughout the city. While that’s encouraging, I do have concerns about some newer developers. In a few cases, homes are presented very nicely but built with slightly lower quality or less attention to detail. That’s not true across the board, and thankfully some new developers are being more creative with design and bringing something fresh for buyers to look at.
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Another concern is the trend towards larger houses with higher price tags. For some buyers, spending 20, 30, or even 40 million baht on what they see as their “forever home” feels completely justified. They choose every luxury, add extra features, and increase the overall size of the property. My advice is simple: don’t rush this process.
Take the time to understand different areas and think carefully about your daily routines. A house can look perfect on paper or during a viewing, but day-to-day living is what really matters. It’s easy to fall in love with something attractive and commit too quickly, only to realise later that the location or layout doesn’t suit your lifestyle.
That’s when expensive mistakes can happen.
Play the long game. Sit back, think things through, and come and have a chat with us. You might be surprised, but I’m often happy to tell people that the property they found without my help is already a great option for them. I don’t feel the need to always “find something better” just for the sake of it. I know that might sound odd for an agent to say, but my priority is seeing people happy here and avoiding the horror stories that come from rushed decisions.
With over two decades of experience, my advice is often about small, sensible tweaks to an existing floor plan rather than expensive upgrades. Every house has a ceiling price, no matter how much money you put into it. It’s important not to overbuild or create something that becomes difficult to sell later on. We all like to assume we’ll stay healthy and active forever, but it’s wise to think about exit options too, just in case.
Pop in for a coffee and a chat. And even if you never decide to settle here, the free hotel offer could still turn into a very affordable visit back to Hua Hin.
This article was first published on Hua Hin Property Agent
Yours sincerely,
Andy Dyett
The Hua Hin Property Expert
📧 andy@huahinpropertyagent.com
📱 Hua Hin Property Co.,Ltd
📞 0867779064
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