2nd Edition of Thailand Charter Week 2022
The second edition of the Thailand Charter Week, held from the 16 to19 November at Phuket Yacht Haven Marina. Organised by the Thai Yachting Business Association (TYBA), the event received the full support from the Thai Government.
Three superyachts exhibited by Northrop & Johnson were the highlight of the week and senior government officials had the opportunity for a pre-show inspection on board motor yachts MIA KAI (30m Bilgin), XANADU (34m Moonen), and INDIANA (39m Bilgin). Held at Phuket Yacht Haven, and event included cruises into Phang Nga Nay by some of the participating vessels. The B2B event enjoyed a high number of qualified visitors which included Thai charter brokers, agents and tourism and hotel industry professionals, plus overseas visitors from the UK, Monaco, France, Indonesia, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
VIP guests at the Opening Party held at Phuket Yacht Haven’s The Deck restaurant included Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports, Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Deputy Governor for Domestic Marketing, Tourism Authority of Thailand, and Mr. Narong Woonsiew, the Governor of Phuket. “Thailand Charter Week 2022 is a fabulous marketing platform that works well with Thailand’s strategic marine tourism plan,” said Phiphat in his opening speech. “This luxury yachting event will help promote Thailand as a marine tourism destination, offering premium charter yachts and superyachts to international and domestic charter brokers.”
Phiphat also mentioned the strong cooperation with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), which exhibits at major boat shows in Monaco, Cannes, Fort Lauderdale, Dubai and Sydney, as the country seeks to revive tourism following the pandemic. “We are working with our international TAT office to promote and advertise the country’s stunning yachting destinations. We have a ‘road show’ exhibiting at major yacht shows in Europe, US and other regions, which play an integral part in promoting Thailand as a yachting destination to the international market.”
“It is great that private companies are interested in developing marine infrastructure, as Thailand needs more marinas, especially superyacht marinas,” explained Phiphat. “This will increase our capabilities to become ‘Asia’s yachting hub’. Superyacht shipyards are still a missing piece of the puzzle, as they help enable superyachts to stay in Thailand long term. They need an international-standard service facility and the new Port Macchanu marina will be a big move for Thailand.”
Lies Sol, Charter Manager & Broker for Northrop & Johnson Asia added, “It was a very positive event, and well received by the Thai Government, yacht Captains, and visitors alike. We were very pleased the Thai Government showed a strong support for the event, not only by their sponsorship but also by the large delegation of senior officials attending the event. The owners of the three largest yachts in the show, represented by Northrop & Johnson- generously made their yachts available for an afternoon cruise, offering the VIPs a first-hand luxury yachting experience. The engagement of such high-ranking officials is unprecedented, and shows the Thai Government is fully behind the promotion of Thailand as a luxury yachting destination. We hope to be able to show more yachts at the next show, which will subsequently attract even more international charter industry professionals.”
Exhibiting yachts were pleased with the good turn-out during the show: “Especially on Friday we were quite busy showing visitors around the yacht,” said Captain Mark of motor yacht XANADU, one of the largest yachts in the show. It was an honour to have the Minister and other VIP guests on board for a cruise, and the whole event went great.”
Jai Dhillon, representing venue host Phuket Yacht Haven Marina said: “It was our pleasure to host the second Thailand Charter Week for the TYBA, and to welcome the Thai Government dignitaries and VIPs to our marina. As a B2B event, the Thailand Charter Week helps yachts and charter companies to promote and interact with relevant target clients. It helps the local charter industry by giving it an international platform to showcase their yachts and cruise services.
Presentations by host sponsor Galileo Maritime Academy, were also well attended and Captain Chris Green of MIA KAI sketched out come enticing itineraries around Phuket and the Gulf of Thailand and the Harbour Department and the Thai Revenue Department clarified several issues regarding the Thai Charter License.
Stephanie Archer, Senior Charter Manager of Ocean Independence in the UK, was happy to combine a visit to the Thailand Charter Week with meetings on several superyachts she manages in Phuket, and another international visitor, Caroline Payen who represent the Indonesian based superyachts Silolona and Si Datu Bua said, “I loved this show, I’ll stay connected.”
On Saturday 19th November, luxury yachts MIA KAI, HAPPY OURS and AUGUST MOON took guests for a wonderful day tour of nearby Phang Nga Bay, as the ‘grand finale’ of the event.
Photo credit: Phil Clark of Helicam Asia