Bangkok – The Thailand Yacht Show, held from 22 to 25 February this year at the Ao Po Grand Marina, Phuket is being hailed as Thailand’s top yachting event, placing the Kingdom firmly on the global yachting map.

Hosted by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and sponsored by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) for the third consecutive year, the Thailand Yacht Show is set as a platform for industry leaders and regional consumers alike by combining the best aspects of yacht charter, the boating industry and the maritime luxury lifestyle.

The event is raising Thailand’s yachting profile to a new level, elevating it to the likes of Monaco, St Tropez, Cannes and the Caribbean as the world’s most preeminent yachting destinations.

H.E. Mr. Weerasak Kowsurat, Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports, said that the annual Thailand Yacht Show demonstrated the government’s commitment to position the Kingdom as a luxury tourism destination and Asia’s new yachting hot spot.

“Thailand boasts beautiful yachting coastlines, dramatic landscapes, perfect year-round weather, and wonderful world-class hospitality. The Thailand Yacht Show has positioned Thailand as a new luxury tourism destination for ultra-high nett worth individuals who make up the bulk of the world’s lucrative superyacht community.

“We believe that Thailand can be promoted as the new winter charter destination of choice competing with the likes of the Caribbean and Mediterranean,” he added.

Mrs. Srisuda Wananpinyosak, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing (Europe, Africa, Middle East and Americas), agreed, “The annual Thailand Yacht Show helps TAT’s effort to promote the Kingdom as a luxury travel destination. Thailand’s excellent yachting infrastructure, facilities, marinas and services can support an estimated 120 superyachts (classified as over 28 metres in length) already, so the country is a natural haven for nautical tourism.”

The Thailand Yacht Show offered a series of bespoken activities and events that effortlessly mixed networking and socialising in a relaxed and luxurious environment. This included glamorous boat parties and spectacular sunset cocktail cruises. Boating and yachting is the ultimate social status and a yacht show would not be a yacht show without a party or two. HYPE hosted a boat party each night of the show; and D’Deck Bar, sponsored by Sunbrella, celebrated yachting with live DJ sets and sunset cocktails. VIPs were also invited to exclusive yacht parties and dinner cruises, highlighting the electric and glamorous atmosphere that the Thailand Yacht Show has become world renown for.

Since its inception, the annual Thailand Yacht Show has pioneered its ‘Demonstration Platform’ for Big Boy Toys out on the marina. It is the perfect opportunity to try out the latest marine toys and water sports; such as, stand-up paddle boarding with Sea-Doo, and the latest cool water craze-the Schiller water bike.

Participants also encouraged the Thai government to establish more charter friendly policies. These include reasonable seasonal fees and visa guidelines that encourage superyacht owners to relocate from the Caribbean, which has very attractive yacht charter laws and fees, to set up charter operations in Thailand.