For a small island, Koh Samui is generating a lot of noise in the property sector rapidly changing from a "budget-back-packer" destination to a high-end retreat which looks set to rival sister island Phuket.
As the seaside property markets in Phuket and Pattaya become increasingly expensive and more saturated, people are turning to Samui, Thailand's third largest island.
Property agents estimate investment in Samui is increasing at approximately 20 per cent per year and the recent overhaul of the island's image has attracted a more affluent set of visitors.
Samui property has matured into a multi-level market, presenting renters and buyers with an array of property options from high-end villas to estate developments.
Mr Andreas Pfiffner of Ko Samui Properties said that land and stand-alone villas are still the most preferred style of investment in Samui but he added that gated communities are also being taken into consideration as they are now increasing in number.
One of the island's strengths is that it is endowed with great natural beauty. There are areas thick with jungle, forest hills of limestone and granite, spectacular waterfalls and long stretches of white beach hugging the shoreline. Coconut plantations are also a common part of the landscape.
The most popular and developed beaches are at Chaweng and Lamai on the east coast. These beaches are rich with housing, gourmet restaurants, nightspots, luxury spas, shopping and commercial services.
Bophut and Maenam, on the calmer north coast, are closer to the airport but quieter than the more populated beaches.
Samui is known as a centre of healing with an abundance of spas, retreats, meditation centres, fasting and cleansing programmes, reiki and hands-on healing masters.
There are also wonderful sites for snorkeling, trekking and generally enjoying the great outdoors and golfers have recently begun enjoying the island since the opening of Santiburi Golf and Country Club in Maenam.
The addition of the Bangkok-Samui Hospital has also raised the island's profile and, with its clean and healthy image, the island is now attracting an older and wealthier set of visitors from Europe and North America.
Increasing numbers of visitors are either investing in a holiday home or deciding to make Samui their home-base.
Some investors actually see promise in the holiday rental market which is why developments such as Coconut River are gathering a fair share of interest.
Coconut River is where guests can experience the benefits of a holiday in a modern Thai-style house with ample space, privacy and freedom.
Star International Real Estate has a villa in Coconut River up for grabs.
The villa features three bedrooms and two bathrooms with all bedrooms and the living room being air-conditioned.
The master bedroom is located upstairs with large glass windows and doors overlooking the sea. On the spacious balcony in front of the master bedroom is a private Jacuzzi and a seating area with comfortable upholstered patio furniture. The house is ideally suited to accommodate larger families of up to six if required.
There are several local restaurants along the beach and Coconut River is 10 minutes from Nathon or Maenam, 20 minutes from the airport or Lamai and 25 minutes from Chaweng. Santiburi Golf is also only five minutes away from the villa and taxis and buses are available on the main ring road which is only 50 metres down the resort drive.