Redefining Thailand yacht charters: Thailand takes steps to revise charter laws

Following a pivotal conference attended by leaders in the Thai government and regional industry stakeholders, the yacht charter law amendments are part of a broader strategy to establish Thailand as a premier yachting hub for South East Asia yacht charters, ensuring the proposed changes benefit all relevant parties.

The meeting centered on a draft announcement by the Ministry of Transport, which aims to set new criteria and conditions for granting charter licenses to large cruise and sports boats, particularly targeting non-Thai yacht owners.

Led by Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat, the meeting included prominent figures such as Surat Sirisayat, Director of the Ship Registration Standards Bureau, and Phuket Marine Chief Natchapong Pranit, and was attended by over 100 representatives from government agencies and the marine tourism sector.

One notable proposal in the movement to improve access to Thailand as a yacht charter destination is to redefine a yacht as a vessel longer than 78.7ft (24m), instead of the previous 98ft (30m), thereby expanding the range of yacht rentals eligible for Thailand yacht charter vacations. 

Luxury yachts applying for new charter licenses will also need to meet a minimum insurance coverage requirement, although the specific amount has not yet been disclosed. These changes aim to ensure adequate coverage for yachts operating in Thai waters.

The proposed amendments are designed to align Thailand's maritime policies with international standards, making the country more attractive to yacht owners and operators. Feedback from the participants was collected during the meeting and will be used to create the draft announcement to satisfy both local and international needs.