Thailand

Ao Po Grand Marina

With just five weeks to go until the Thailand Yacht Show kicks off, organisers are busy preparing for the very first edition of the event. Held in Phuket from 11th to 14th February, the show boasts a lineup of 40 yachts on display including the 32 metre Benetti Nanou, the 51 metre Phinisi, and the 50 metre Dunia Baru. Amongst the list of on-water exhibitors is Lee Marine, Boat Lagoon Yachting, Leopard Catamarans, Azimut Yachts Thailand and SPLO Yachts.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/157855/image/large-51f784c03436cd1abb064935fb3aff40.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/157855">Scheduled to take place the day before the show will be the Thailand Yacht Forum at Phuket Yacht Haven, where industry professionals are invited to attend. The Forum will provide a snapshot update of the regulation changes in Thailand, as well as presenting invaluable insight into the region’s cruising grounds and growing infrastructure.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/157856/image/large-4493b3498b889c544921fc730b05e2bb.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/157856">Organisers have also today announced that both the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Tourism Authority of Thailand have now officially joined forces with the Ministry of Transport and the Marine Department to support the new event. The joining of these official bodies marks the ongoing support in the region of the ever-growing superyacht industry in Asia.By Gemma Fottles

Countdown to inaugural Thailand Yacht Show

From the organisers of the Singapore Yacht Show, SYE Pte Ltd, now comes the inaugural Thailand Yacht Show. To be held from 11 – 14 February 2016 at the modern Ao Po Grand Marina, the Thailand Yacht Show will aim to promote the region as a world class cruising destination, able to offer yachts of any size unique experiences in Phuket and surrounding areas, with top class services.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/155971/image/large-ecde22ed3bcc1ecfa219dfb3ee747656.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/155971">The idea behind the event comes from Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, whos idea is to transform and promote Phuket as Asia’s principal hub for superyachts that are cruising the region. Formalities that superyachts wanting to perform charter operations in the area have to endure, have already been addressed by the Thai government. A recent special license now allows foreign-flagged vessels to enjoy the region’s wide variety of unspoilt crusing possibilities and world class diving locations.Andy Treadwell, founder and owner of SYE, is looking forward to help put Thailand on the world superyacht map, “With the welcomed decision of now legalising superyacht charter in Thailand, and with the Government and all the other stakeholders aligned, the time is right for us to launch the new Yacht Show with industry-wide support."By Charl van Rooy