Business
- VAT
- 7%
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Ownership limited for foreigners; land lease approx. 4-6M THB for 50-year lease on 400m² land
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Inland plots approx. 2-3M THB for a small footprint bungalow build
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Condominiums do not exist; small villas approx. 5-7M THB
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Older local builds approx. 3.5M THB
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Modern pool villas approx. 9-15M THB
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Rural 2-bed houses approx. 6M THB
- Corporate Tax
- 20% in Thailand
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10%
- Tax System
- Residence-based; income remitted to Thailand in the same tax year is taxable
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 35% (above 5 million THB)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No formal CFC rules in Thailand currently
- Property Tax
- Land and Building Tax based on value (0.02% to 0.1% for residential)
- Property Transaction Tax
- Transfer fee 2%, Stamp duty 0.5%, Withholding tax approx 1%
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- LTR (Long-Term Resident) Visa offers personal income tax reduction to 17%
Essentials
- City
- Ko Yao Noi, Phang Nga Province, Thailand
- Population
- Approximately 6,000 residents
- Internet Speed
- 30-100 Mbps via fiber optics (3BB/AIS) and strong 5G coverage
- Currency & Banking
- Thai Baht (THB); 1 USD ≈ 36 THB. ATMs available primarily in the central market area near the 7-Eleven
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; 1.5L bottled water approx. 15 THB at 7-Eleven
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type A/B/C/O sockets
- SIM Card
- AIS, DTAC, or TrueMove H; approximately 300 THB for 30GB/30 days
- Banking for Expats
- Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) and Government Savings Bank (GSB) have ATMs; Wise/Revolut used for transfers
- Accommodation
- Mostly island bungalows and mid-range resorts; long-term villas available via local networking
- Cashless Friendly
- Mostly cash-heavy; QR code (PromptPay) accepted at larger restaurants/7-Eleven
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and Booking.com; prices range from 800 - 3,500 THB per night
- Budget Accommodation
- Tha Khao Bay View or Suntisook Resort; approx. 500-800 THB per night
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Pasai Beach for swimming and sunsets; Tha Khao for a quieter local feel
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- East coast (Pasai) for proximity to cafes and stronger Wi-Fi signals
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Koyao Island Resort (offers a day pass concept for 300-500 THB with pool access)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Chaba Cafe (excellent seating and Wi-Fi) and Kantary Cafe (reliable AC and pastries)
- Networking Events
- Informal meetups at 'The Rest' or 'Green Coffee' during peak season (Jan-March)
- Social Events for Expats
- Koh Yao Noi Community Facebook group; weekly beach volleyball at Pasai Beach
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No apps (Grab/Bolt) operative; local 'Tuk-Tuk' taxis charge fixed rates (50-150 THB)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Mr. Bike or various guesthouses; approx. 200-300 THB per day
- Best Beach Nearby
- Long Beach (Had Yao), accessible by boat or dirt track; Pasai Beach for daily swimming
- Top Regional Airline
- Bangkok Airways (operates into Phuket and Krabi airports)
- Top International Airline
- Thai Airways, Qatar Airways, Emirates (via Phuket International Airport - HKT)
- Highway Access
- No highways; one main paved ring road (22km long) encircles the island
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Manoh Pier (boats to Phuket) and Tha Khao Pier (boats to Krabi/Ao Nang)
- Public Transport Passes
- None; songthaews (trucks) act as shared taxis for 50-100 THB
- Regional Travel
- Speedboat to Phuket (Bang Rong Pier) - 400 THB, 30 mins; Speedboat to Krabi (Tha Len) - 400 THB, 30 mins
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Ko Yao Noi District Hospital (Primary care); Phuket International Hospital for emergencies
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Island Yoga (renowned retreat center at Tha Khao Bay); private classes available
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Koh Yao Noi Muay Thai Gym (approx. 400 THB per session or 3,000 THB/month)
- Laundry Services
- Local family-run laundries at 40-50 THB per kg; ubiquitous on the main road
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None; most restaurants offer takeaway but no centralized app service
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Southern Thai Yellow Curry (Gaeng Som) and freshly caught grilled Red Snapper
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Kaya Restaurant (Great vegan variations of Thai classics)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Cafe Kantary (Crepes and ice cream) and local stalls selling Mango Sticky Rice (60 THB)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Ko Yao Noi Local Market (open daily morning/evening) for fresh produce
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Lazada and Shopee (delivery via ferry to the island island hubs)
- Grocery Delivery
- Not available; local mini-marts and 7-Eleven are the primary sources
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Very quiet; 'Pirate Bar' on the beach and 'Para Bar' for live music and drinks
- Local Brewery
- No local brewery; Singha, Leo, and Chang available at most bars (80-120 THB)
- Wine Bars
- Kaya Gallery (selected wines and art) and upscale resorts like Six Senses
- Street Food Stalls
- 7-Eleven adjacent market area; fried chicken, roti (20 THB), and noodle soup
- Popular International Cuisine
- La Luna (Authentic Italian pizza and pasta)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Phang Nga Bay (boat tours from the island to James Bond Island and Koh Panyee)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Kaya Gallery (Local painting and photography by resident artists)
- Historical Sites
- Big Tree (Ao Kian) - a massive ancient Ficus tree accessible by boat or trek
- Religious Sites
- Central Mosque (90% of the population is Muslim; modest dress required in village)
- Annual Events
- Songkran (Thai New Year in April); Loy Krathong (November)
- Cultural Districts
- The main village 'Talaat' (Market) where the traditional wooden shophouses remain
- Theater Venues
- None; local school performances during festivals
- Local Markets
- Afternoon Market near the 7-Eleven (starts at 4 PM daily)
- Music Scene
- Acoustic live music at Charlie's Bar or Para Bar
- Street Art
- Limited; some decorative murals at local cafes in the main village
- Cooking Classes
- Mina's Cooking Class (approx. 1,500 THB for a half-day session)
- Art Galleries
- Small craft shops selling handmade batik near the pier
- Historic Buildings
- Traditional stilted wooden houses found in the rice paddy fields
- Local Heritage
- Fishing and rice farming heritage; strictly no-alcohol policy in many local shops
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Koh Hong archipelago (20 mins by longtail boat); pristine lagoons and beaches
- National Parks Nearby
- Than Bok Khorani National Park (encompasses many surrounding islands)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Rice Paddy Road (middle of the island) for cycling through buffalo-grazed fields
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The 'Viewpoint' on the northeast trail overlooking the limestone karsts
- Birdwatching Locations
- Mangrove forests on the north side, home to Hornbills
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Generally discouraged; check with resorts at Pasai Beach for organized events
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Thailand Post (central village) and Flash Express/Kerry Hubs
- Tech Repair Services
- Minor smartphone repair shops in the main market; complex repairs require Phuket
- Table Tennis Spots
- Limited to high-end resorts for guests
- Language Classes
- Private Thai tutoring can be arranged via Mina's Cooking Class
- Libraries & Study Spots
- The Rest Cafe (quiet library-like atmosphere with books)
- Community Centers
- Sub-district Administrative Organization (OrBorTor) community hall
- Gaming Lounges
- None available
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Strictly illegal in Thailand