The 2023 Southeast Asia Yachting Conference took place on April 26, at ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove Singapore, with over 150 attendees, 10 speakers, and 12 panelists from across Asia and as far as Europe and Australia. 

Ditapong Thitadilok, President of the Thailand Yachting Boating Association (TYBA) and MD of Phuket Premium Marina, talked about the fantastic cruising grounds of Phuket and the six marinas that currently offer over 1,200 plus berths. New facilities are coming online and these include the PSY shipyard that will be able to cater for superyachts up to 65m, and lifting facilities for yachts up to 64m LOA, as well as a new superyacht marina Port Macchanu that is currently in construction. Thitadilok talked about the new superyacht charter license for yachts over 30m, that now allow foreign flag yachts to be able to stay in Thailand for up to two and a half years. Events coming up include Thailand Charter Week, a B2B charter event from the 16-19 November at the Yacht Haven marina, and Thailand International Boat Show at Royal Phuket Marina in January 2024.

Scott Finsten, the Harbour Master at Ocean Marina, Jomtien, then talked about the east coast of Thailand. Finsten, an Australian marina expert moved to Thailand in 2010 to manage the Ocean Marina Yacht Club and marina. Since then, he has implemented two phases of expansion. First increasing the marina from 200 berths to 380, and then dredged the marina basin to accommodate superyachts, and increased the haul out capacity with the acquisition of a 75-ton Marine Travelift. Finsten outlined entry and exit procedures and changes that have been implemented post Covid. Promoting the cruising grounds on the east coast of Thailand which include Koh Chang, Koh Mak, and Koh Kood (Nov to Apr) and Koh Samui, Koh Phangnan, Koh Tao, and Ang Thong (Mar to Sept). Finsten believes that this is a potential growth area, with its 43 beautiful islands in the Pattaya region, and its proximity to Bangkok.

Want to know more about Thailand? Head over to the Thailand Marine Guide

Presentations available for download here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1EmPV7IiKFJzuYVYmoxlx6E4ZuKHyPgMt?usp=sharing