I have been trying to research laws regarding boat ownership and operation for expats. There are articles related to commercial boats but nothing defintive regarding personal craft. What are the laws for a foreigner to own and operate a small boat in Thailand. I am considering purchasing a craft to take the kids tubing and fishing etc.

Thanks

Well, don’t know about laws but I have some knowledge about the regulations.

I am not claiming that what I write below is 100% correct, but its reasonably inline with the regulations.

Note that pleasure crafts are not that common in LoS which means that the regulatory

regime for pleasure crafts are not that far away from the professional regime.

The rules differ, depending on the type of boat and also on the waters it will be used in.

Check with your local MarineDept.

Some different rules for inland waters and sea and also for the combination of sea and inland.

(Differences also apply to the navigation. In LoS they apply IALA-A (you drive on the right hand side and leave green to the right) in all inland waters whilst they apply IALA-B (drive left and green to left) in the sea.)

You do need a licence and you do need to register the boat, at least if its motordriven.

(Marine Department is the relevant regulatory and law enforcement body.)

Also I assume its much easier to go through the formalities in Phuket/Pattaya than in Bangkok or Nonthaburi. Quite simply because many farang have boats in Phuket/Pattaya so the brass have established routines.

As far as I know there are 3 different skippers’ licences for pleasure crafts:

Helmsman Class 2; for boats up to 25 tons (gross tonnage, not weight).

Helmsman Class 1; for boats up to 35 tons (gross)

Special First Class; for boats up to 250 tons (gross) if I remember correctly

The Special First Class is normally reserved for Thai nationals.

I don’t know what kind of vessel you have in mind or whether it will be used in sea or rivers.

So, I outline roughly the rules for my vessel.

I have a motor driven longtail boat in Chao Praya, meant for use in rivers/canals and not for sea at all.

For this kind of boat:

Boats of LOA (length over all) less than 10 meters can have an engine with maximum 4 cylinders and an output of maximum 125 kW (roughly 170 horsepowers).

If LOA above 10 meters there are no restrictions on the number for cylinders but there is an upper power limit (don’t remember, but it is high).

Now, for my type of boat you will also need an Engineers Licence. I assume that this licence is not comprehensive, it merely documents that you are able to carry out normal maintenance on your engine.

Engineer Class 2 licences covers engines up to 125 kW.

I assume that Engineer Class 1 licence covers higher output engines.

The formality process:

You get in touch with MarineDept, they will send a surveyor to check out your boat.

The surveyor will typically measure LOA, moulded depth and maximum beam.

He will check the engine installation, note down make of engine and serial number etc

and verify that the installation is OK and within the relevant limits.

The surveyor will want to see your Skipper and Engineer licences.

If the surveyor is happy he will issue 2 documents;

One document detailing the measurements (1 page).

One document detailing the engine installation (1 page)

Now,

With your 2 docs from the surveyor and your 2 licences you the registration office

in the Marine Dept,

along with; photos of the boat

photo of humble self

passport copy

address confirmation ticket from immigration

receipt for your purchase of the boat

receipt for your purchase of engine

If it is your lucky day they will give you Tabian Ruua (registration doc)

The registration number is supposed to be visible on the hull.

I'd like to add one thing.

Thais are often fairly laidback when it comes to licences re cars and motorbikes.

I know many Thais that have boats similar to mine. They ALL have both their Helmsman and

their Engineer licence in order. And the Tabian Ruaa.

A bit surprising to me but they seem to take this requirement seriously.

Also,

I often see Thais drink/driving cars and motorbikes.

I do not see the same when they drive boats.

That also surprised me a bit, especially since there are no enforced alcohol limits

re boats, you can legally drive a boat totally pissed.

At least there are lines on the road when they drive cars, not sure how they do in boats, regardless of regulations.

Found the relevant text re engine size:

Longtail boats (for inland waterways) with LOA between 10 and 18 meters

can have maximim 340 horsepower engine output (no limits on number of cylinders).

I suppose that i LOA is above 18 meters there is no limit.

Actually, the relevant regulation limits the number of pistons, not cylinders.

Thanks for the info, can a Farang get the mentioned licences here?

Thanks for the info, can a Farang get the mentioned licences here?

Yes, assuming here means Thailand.

Edited February 3, 201313 yr by melvinmelvin

Thanks for the info, can a Farang get the mentioned licences here?

And do they accept foreign licences ? Can we get a local licence based on a foreign one ?

Thanks for the info, can a Farang get the mentioned licences here?

And do they accept foreign licences ? Can we get a local licence based on a foreign one ?

Well, I guess this is an area where the practice differs from province to province and also differs

on whether Black Label is offered or not.

I have met a UK chap in Ranong that says he got a Thai licence based on his UK one.

I have been strongly adviced (in Chonburi and in Phuket) not to pursue that avenue.

The Marine Dept main office (BKK Chinatown) says that there is no problem having foreign tickets

recognized and compatible Thai tickets issued.

However, they do that for foreign professionals having a job as sea farer in LoS.

So for a pleasure craft licence I guess it would uphill to try in BKK.

You never own your pleasure craft...you take your turn in line.