In a strategic move to bolster its marine tourism industry, Thailand's Transport Ministry has eased regulations to allow larger cruise ships and super yachts to operate in its waters. The announcement was made by Deputy Minister Manaporn Charoensri on 22nd September, citing recent changes by the Marine Department.

 

The revisions focus on expanding vessel size allowances, reducing the minimum length requirement for super yachts from 30 metres to 24 metres, while maintaining a maximum of 12 passengers, aligning with international standards. Insurance coverage was also updated, mandating at least US$5 million per incident, and administrative processes have been streamlined with a new electronic application system.

 

 

 

 

These changes aim to transform Thailand into a premier maritime hub in Asia, targeting affluent foreign tourists. Historical data reflects a positive trend, with the number of super yachts visiting Phuket tripling over the past three years, from 41 in 2021 to 148 in 2023.

 

Major destinations like Phuket and Koh Samui are central to these developments, and two new cruise terminal projects are underway at Laem Chabang Port and Koh Samui, enhancing the appeal of Thailand's coasts. With these initiatives, Thailand seeks to solidify its status as a leading regional centre for ocean tourism and cruise travel.

 

File photo for reference only

 

-- 2024-09-23

 

THey need to look at the mooring facilities, and the regulations regarding crews and touring yachts from other countries - basiclly the bureaucracy and fees make marine or sailing holidays in Thailand almost impossible for foreign yachts

12 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

These changes aim to transform Thailand into a premier maritime hub in Asia, targeting affluent foreign tourists.

Good lord another hub.

For a mariner with a significant yacht, Thailand would have to be one of the most boring areas in the world for yachting. The entire seaboard possesses very few marinas, there are very few areas of interest along the Gulf Coast, and on the east coast between Singapore and Bangkok there's really not much to see. 

 

Nah. The yacht community has very little interest. Bad idea. 

20 years ago they were proposing a huge berth marina in Samui 20 years later nothing there is more chance that pigs will fly !

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

For a mariner with a significant yacht, Thailand would have to be one of the most boring areas in the world for yachting. The entire seaboard possesses very few marinas, there are very few areas of interest along the Gulf Coast, and on the east coast between Singapore and Bangkok there's really not much to see. 

 

Nah. The yacht community has very little interest. Bad idea. 

One of the best places I have ever cruised actually. I take it you haven't? There are 4 big marinas in Phuket, a couple in Krabi, several yacht specialising shipyards, including in Bangkok, many international companies in the marine industry with offices in Phuket and Ocean Marina, Jomtien and smack bang on the route from the Med to the rest of SE Asia, Australia, New Zealand, etc. Hundreds of superyachts base themselves in Thai waters already. Not so much in the Gulf but Samui etc and the northern islands have a lot of traffic.

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

For a mariner with a significant yacht, Thailand would have to be one of the most boring areas in the world for yachting. The entire seaboard possesses very few marinas, there are very few areas of interest along the Gulf Coast, and on the east coast between Singapore and Bangkok there's really not much to see. 

 

Nah. The yacht community has very little interest. Bad idea. 

Thoroughly agree.   As a professional Mariner with a 45 yacht in Lisbon and a trailer sailer here , am totally uninterested in any of the "Marinas"  here as they are only interested in mega rich and superyachts , not the everyday yachtsman .   Prices in these Marinas are out of this world - one reason for my trailer sailor which can be kept at home where I do all my maintenance myself !!   Very little here to visit that is " off the beaten track"   

3 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

For a mariner with a significant yacht, Thailand would have to be one of the most boring areas in the world for yachting. The entire seaboard possesses very few marinas, there are very few areas of interest along the Gulf Coast, and on the east coast between Singapore and Bangkok there's really not much to see. 

 

Nah. The yacht community has very little interest. Bad idea. 

The reasons for no marinas is partly topography but mainly 30 years of totally oppressive regulations regarding visiting yachts.

Good another hub.....hub of large marinas. I've been on super yachts and they don't like mooring in less that exclusive places like Porto Fino, Monte Carlo or Puerto Banus. I certainly never saw one parked in the marina I used to use.