Tourism Authority to Support Thailand Charter Week

The Tourism Authority of Thailand is to become a Supporting Sponsor of the first Thailand Charter Week.

The Thailand Charter Week is Asia’s first international charter show for industry professionals only, a ‘B2B’ event for charter brokers, central agents, luxury travel agents and tour operators to meet local agencies and discover leading charter yachts operating in Thailand and the rest of Southeast Asia.

Over 40 Companies have signed up, be part of this inaugural charter event organised by the industry for the industry.

This B to B event encourages engagement between yachts, marine industry players, sponsors and professional visitors in an exciting and intimate environment.

The inaugural six-day event will be held at Phuket Yacht Haven from November 16-21.

Yachts attending

The 41m Ocean Emerald, Demarest, Silverlining and Aveline are among the 30 metre-plus boats set to dock inside Phuket Yacht Haven.

Ocean Emerald, was designed by Lord Norman Foster and is the largest boat in the line-up and will exhibit at Yacht Haven four years after appearing in the movie remake of Point Break.

Ocean Emerald at anchor off Ko Rawi

The spectacular motor yacht often berths at Ocean Marina Yacht Club in Pattaya, is represented by Camper & Nicholsons, and is available for charter in Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean. Toys include jetskis, kayaks, scuba diving equipment, plus a wakeboard, waterskis and inflatables that can be towed by an Axopar tender that can reach 50 knots.

The 32.2m Demarest (formerly Aquarius S), built in Italy and last refitted in 2016, is the second-biggest yacht in the provisional line-up.

At 31.6m in length, the Sparkman & Stephens-designed Silverlining is the biggest sailing yacht in the line-up. Represented by Fraser, the 104-footer has cruised more than 50,000nm and visited more than 40 countries.

The 31.5m Aveline, a Maiora 31DP motor yacht, is a recent addition to the show by Northrop & Johnson newly available for charter in the 2019/20 season.

Other newcomers include the 29.5m Lady Eileen II, a motor yacht built by Taiwan’s New Ocean Yachts and represented by Yacht Sourcing, and the 28.8m Mia Kai, which is represented by Ocean Independence and had an extensive interior refit in 2017.

Other motor yachts include the 27m Baglietto Ajao, 27m Thai-built wooden boat Maha Bhetra, 25m Azimut Mirage, 23m Sunseeker Maxxx, 22m Chowa, 21m Riva Aria Blue, 20m Cheoy Lee L’Orientale, 18m Princess Mayavee, 18m Princess Shard 1, 17m Azimut Pillars Spirit and 15m Sea Princess.

Sailing catamarans include the 19m Lagoon 62 Jyohana, 16m Lagoon 52F Blue Moon, 16m Andaman 50 and 15m Moorings 4800, while Super Mario is a 15m powercat.

Companies exhibiting

Companies exhibiting on land include Sevenstar Yacht Transport, Southeast Asia Pilot, Yacht Sourcing, Corsair Marine/Seawind Catamarans, Port Takola Yacht Marina, Zodiac ribs and Advance Yachting, which will supply a Technohull rib as a tender for guests

Matthew Na Nagara, Chairman of the Thai Yachting Business Association, the event organiser, said: “Firstly, we’re truly grateful to have the Tourism Authority of Thailand sign up as a Supporting Sponsor of the Thailand Charter Week at Phuket Yacht Haven from November 16-21. This event is designed to show the amazing appeal of Thailand’s yacht tourism industry and its spectacular coastlines, islands, beaches and marine life.

“The Thailand Charter Week is building up nicely, with more large yachts signed up, challenging us to find ways to accommodate them all. We have a full calendar of events for the show, including some great trips into the beautiful areas surrounding Phuket, and are confident that this first edition will prove a success.”

Burgess, Camper & Nicholsons, Fraser, Northrop & Johnson and Arcon Yachts are among the international brokerage houses participating as attending brokers. Simpson Marine, Asia’s largest yacht dealer, and Yacht Sourcing are among regional yachting companies attending the show, while Asia Marine, Asia Yacht Agency and Derani Yachts are among prominent Phuket-based companies.

Familiarisation’ cruises

The first three days will be dedicated to visiting yachts on display at Phuket Yacht Haven, as well as panel discussions and presentations about charter destinations. The last three days will feature ‘familiarisation’ cruises aboard participating yachts to charter destinations around Phuket and the Andaman Sea.

The event’s partner hotels include The Slate and Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket on the island’s west coast, and Como Point Yamu on the east coast, while Coconut Village will host the closing party.

The Thailand Charter Week will be followed by the Ocean Marina Pattaya Boat Show that runs from November 21stuntil the 24th.