Quiet to the north of Bang Tao, Layan Beach’s tranquility is part of the point. This is not where you go to be woken by a jetski outside your balcony, nor to haggle for an elephant pants souvenir; this is where you find snow-white sand, casuarina pines and a sea the hue changes from turquoise to navy from day to day look at this.

If you are here to buy a condo, the chances are you’ve already skipped past Patong, and experienced what’s too much a crowded feeling.

Condominiums here start from a “humble”$250,000 (around £200,000) for an apartment of just one bedroom, moving up to $1.5m plus for ‘penthouse style’ properties which come with plunge pools and all sorts. It covers a large range, which means there’s a huge range of potential buyers; the recently retired, the digital nomad, the rental yields conscious, families seeking their second home – that isn’t a resort lobby.

What gives Layan, above anywhere else on the island, an ‘edge’ over other developments is proximity to arguably the island’s most prestigious resorts. Amanpuri is a few neighbours along, and the prices accordingly, whilst the re-sale values of properties over time seem largely un-affected by the general volatility of other locations across Phuket.

Rentals are also worth contemplating: the typical tenant on Layan seems to prefer a quieter staycation; couples in their late 30s; digital nomads chasing their deadlines alongside robust WiFi speeds, or honeymooners wanting a break from more popular (read: touristy and photogenic) shores. Given that well-maintained condos in high season boast average occupancies often over 70 per cent, this could be an obvious attraction.

The actual build quality here varies enormously from one scheme to another; when buying here, pay more attention to the credentials of the company you deal with than those brochures filled with pictures you won’t actually see the inside of. Determine whether you would buy on the ‘freehold’ or leasehold’ principle – leaseholds and owning ‘a’ company that owns the property remain the primary way most westerners buy real estate here – without a lawyer it’s easy to get tripped up, and you might curse your parsimony for not hiring one of them.

Another difference between condominium properties here isbeach proximity;Some are literally right on the sand, but others you may need to take a short drive or even a shuttle service to the shore.

No, Layan is not necessarily for everyone. The area is very peaceful, the nightlife non-existent, restaurants close after dark. If you have the energy of a busy city, go somewhere else then – but for everyone else who believes quiet mornings, sea air and silence are worth their while, there is no finer choice along this stretch of coast.