The Thailand Yachting Conference 2024 (TYC) was held on 10th January at the White House, Phuket Boat Lagoon. The day-long conference kept the 60+ delegates engaged and informed, and provided a valuable opportunity for participants to discuss important issues facing the boating community in Thailand, and update participants on advancements taking place in the Southeast Asia region.

Conference Producer Wade Pearce, Founder of the Thai Marine Guide and Singapore Marine Guide said, “we are extremely grateful to the speakers and panellists who represented the various sectors within the yachting industry in Thailand and the surrounding SEA region. The impressive line-up of local and regional industry experts meant delegates received the latest information on local boating regulations and marine infrastructure that is coming online. Thailand is a key boating destination in SEA, with its beautiful cruising grounds, quality service, and experienced industry professionals.”

 

Heading up the conference proceedings as MC was Wicky Sundram, Executive Director of Phuket Boat Lagoon. Sundram, a well-respected professional in the Asia leisure marine industry, said, “being one the region’s leaders in boating and hospitality, Phuket Boat Lagoon and NH Boat Lagoon Phuket Resort were proud to be associated with this inaugural conference.”

 

With 22 industry experts participating in nine sessions, the full-day programme had something for everyone. The morning started with five speakers who focused on specific areas that included immigration policies and procedures, cruising regulations, marinas and marine infrastructure, shipyards and refit facilities, yachting regattas, festivals, and events. This was followed by a networking lunch sponsored by NH Boat Lagoon Phuket Resort, at which participants were able to relax in the air-conditioned comfort of the White House, an entertainment facility in the ground of the Phuket Boat Lagoon, that allowed participants to follow up with speakers and other delegates.

 

First speaker for the programme was Matthew Na Nagara, Managing Director of Port Takola Marina, who presented some interesting facts and figures on the Andaman Sea with a focus on Phuket – which is the largest island in the region with an area of 514,675 sq. km. In the immediate environs there are 93 islands to explore, with 15 in Phang Nga Bay alone, 15 in Krabi, 10 in Satun, and 56 in Ranong. Matthew also presented an overview of the top cruising spots in the region, and a review of entry procedures, customs and immigration regulations, and information on the Thai MECC which is the central agency on marine matters and assisting seafarers.

Ditapong Thitadilok, Managing Director of Premier Shipyard, provided an update on marinas and shipyards, along with superyacht capacity and facilities in the Phuket, Krabi, Trang and Saturn regions. Marinas in Phuket can accommodate over 1,200 yachts with 80 superyacht berths. Marinas in Phuket include Phuket Boat Lagoon, Phuket Yacht Haven, Ao Po Grand Marina, and Royal Phuket Marina. There are seven shipyards in the area, including Blue Oceanic which has a 600-ton travel lift. PSY Shipyard will soon be able to accommodate superyachts up to 65m with its 820-ton travel lift and 40,000 sq.m2 hardstand, and along with Port Macchanu Marina (coming online in 2026), there will be more room for superyachts in the future.

 

Scott Finsten, Marina Manager at Ocean Marina Jomtien, Pattaya, introduced the cruising destinations in the Gulf of Thailand. With over 28 islands just off Pattaya, there are plenty of cruising opportunities, and at the same time plenty of support for cruising yachts. The three main marinas are Ocean Marina (Jomtien), Racer Marina (Hua Hin), and Riverdale Marina (Bangkok). The marinas and shipyards offer a variety of facilities including boat lifting, hardstanding areas, and a superyacht dry dock facility in Bangkok. Visiting yacht regulations and procedures follow the same regulations as the rest of Thailand. Ocean Marina Jomtien, with its onsite hotel facilities, is leading the way and growing the boating community with their activities and events including sail training, regattas, educational seminars, and beach cleaning that are all helping to drive the boating culture in this region.

 

Alvin Teh presented Malaysia’s boating infrastructure and immigration updates. Alvin is the founder of MY Yacht Support Services, and the President of the Association of Marine Industries Malaysia. The Association has 155 members, and represents shipyards, marine equipment manufacturers, refit and repair facilities, and classification and support services for superyachts. Alvin presented an overview of the entry requirements for private and commercial yachts cruising in Malaysia, and the favoured cruising passages around Southeast Asia.

 

Finally, Simon James, founder of Regattas Asia, talked about the importance of sailing and how major regattas promote the region to both the domestic and international sailing communities. Events such as the Phuket King’s Cup, The Bay Regatta, and the Koh Samui Regatta generate income for local businesses, with last year’s Phuket King’s Cup generating over 5,000 room nights in hotel bookings. With a cruising area four times bigger than the British Virgin Islands, and with royal support of the King and Queen of Thailand at the last Phuket King’s Cup, the future looks particularly positive for sailing in Thailand.

The afternoon session consisted of four panel discussion that focused on superyachts, charter, yacht management and safety, and sustainable technology.

 

The Superyacht Panel, chaired by James Clayton (Simpson Superyachts Division), included three panellists: Peter Mahony (Benetti), Gordon Fernandes (Asia Pacific Superyachts), and Adam Blackmore (ISEO Yachting). They discussed the changes to superyacht ownership in Asia over the years, along with the changing needs of Asia owners, and the influence Asia has exerted on superyacht design.

 

Yacht Management Panel (L-R ) Capt Stephen Crowe, Shemaine Sebastian, Shaun Stenning and Jay Leshark
The Yacht Management Panel, chaired by Jay Leshark, embarked on some lively discussion between the three panellists – Shemaine Sebastian (Galileo Maritime Academy), Shaun Stenning (5 Star Marine) and Stephen Crowe (Superyacht Captain). Topics included the training of crew and tour boat operators to improve safety, a look at challenges and positive initiatives to increase professionalism in the industry, the growing fleet of charter yachts and the need for more trained senior superyacht crew in the region.

 

Yacht Charter Panel (L-R) Nick Longstaff, Worawan ‘Poom’ Hokprasith, Benjamin Tabuteau and Lies Sol
Yacht Charter panel moderator was Lies Sol, Charter Manager for Northrop & Johnson Asia, who led a diverse conversation on chartering in Thailand with three panellists; Nick Longstaff (Simpson Marine), Benjamin Tabuteau (Asia Marine), and Worawan ‘Poom’ Hokprasith (Asia Yacht Agency). The group discussed the growth of the charter industry and how it has been dependent on the changes to the charter regulations that have been introduced in recent years, how charters are happening on many levels from day boats to superyachts, and how charter regulations are critical for the growth of this sector.

 

Technology and Sustainability Panel (L-R) Danny Zheng, Gilles Reigner and Peter Jacops
The final panel of the conference focused on technology and sustainability, with moderator Peter Jacops, founder of Blue Peter Marine, leading the discussions with Danny Zheng (Managing Director of Royal Phuket Marina), and Gilles Reigner (founder of Greyachting). Jacops front-loaded the session by explaining that every aspect of boating needs to be addressed for sustainability, starting with the recycling of used and unwanted boats, along with using recycling materials to build boats. Zhang followed, emphasising that marinas can be proactive in encouraging the community to be more sustainable by installing water refilling stations, solar power, and waste monitoring systems. Reigner closed out the discussion with a detailed overview of ways all shipyards can begin the process to de-carbonise vessels through wind, hydro and solar power and a yard environmental management system.

 

‘Women in the Marine Industry’ networking at the Thailand Yachting Conference 2024
Conference organisers Wade Pearce and Suzy Rayment, Executive Director of the Asia-Pacific Superyacht Association, were pleased with the positive feedback from participants, who said that the Thailand Yachting Conference provided the industry with a great opportunity for attendees to gain a better understanding of the current state of the yachting industry in Thailand. It also provided an enjoyable opportunity to network with other boating professionals in the region – and another positive is the growing number of women who are now working in the marine industry.

David Hayes, CEO of JAND Events, the organiser of the Thailand International Boat Show said, “The Thailand Yachting Conference and Thailand International Boat Show are important events to put Phuket and Thailand back in the limelight. Our goal has been to bring the industry together and showcase the best brands and products from the marine and lifestyle sectors while cementing the position of Thailand, and Phuket in particular, as one of the top boating destinations in the world.”

Thanks go to the Host Sponsors: Phuket Boat Lagoon, NH Boat Lagoon Phuket Resort; Conference Sponsors SG Marine Guide, Thai Marine Guide, Association of Marine Industries Malaysia (AMIM), MY Yacht Support Services, UX Marine, Sevenstar Yacht Transport; and our Supporting Partners Asia-Pacific Superyacht Association and the Thai Yachting Business Association.

We look forward to seeing you at the 2025 Thailand Yachting Conference on 7 January 2025