Thailand is among the far-flung destinations that Americans and Europeans increasingly wish to cruise. The challenge, though, has long been with the country’s regulations. While private yachts are welcome, only Thai-owned yachts have permission to offer weeks for charter. Recently, however, government officials held a public meeting on proposed changes to Thailand yacht charter rules. According to yachting-industry representatives in attendance, these changes will be for the better.
Thailand’s Ministry of Transport previously had revealed it wanted to help increase superyacht marine tourism. Therefore, it drafted a proposal to amend the regulations. The head of Thailand’s ship-registration standards, maritime officials, and more than 100 others across government agencies and tourism businesses came together for the meeting, in Phuket. Gordon Fernandes, co-founder of the yacht agency Asia Pacific Superyachts, was among six people from his company who attended, too. Collectively, the attendees made multiple suggestions to standardize criteria under Thailand yacht charter rules.
Overall, the proposed changes would bring the country’s approach more in line with international rules. For instance, the Thai Yachting Business Association, whose members were at the meeting, emphasized the importance of changing the definition of a superyacht. Currently, the country considers it a private vessel upwards of 30 meters (98 feet). Instead, the association recommended, the definition should be a vessel larger than 24 meters (78 feet).
Another recommended change to the Thailand yacht charter rules involves insurance. Although the specific amount is not yet set, Asia Pacific Superyachts and the Thail Yachting Business Association each expect a minimum required amount to be announced in the revised draft regulation.
Government officials are in the process of reviewing the feedback from the meeting. They intend to use it to amend the draft, but have not yet announced a timeline for doing so.
Regardless, Fernandes says the country’s willingness to boost yachting as a key part of tourism is encouraging. “We are pleased Thailand is moving forward in revised charter rules and relaxed measures for vessel size to cruise these beautiful waters,” he says.
Asia Pacific Superyachts www.asia-pacific-superyachts.com
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