Thailand Yacht Show 2016 – throwing open the doors

by Guy Nowell, Sail-World Asia on 16 Dec 2016 Thundery skies this afternoon did nothing to subdue the festivities at the Opening Ceremony of the Thailand Yacht Show 2016. After being greeted by TYS Managing Director Andy Treadwell, Official Guests and VIPs were escorted through the show’s Exhibition Pavilion and then on down to D’ Deck overlooking Ao Po Grand Marina.

Drummers and dancers fired the ceremony off to a simultaneously exuberant and elegant start, and then it was on to the formal proceedings. “In presenting the second Thailand Yacht Show,” said Andy Treadwell, “our aim is to realise the vision of the Prime Minister, working alongside his government, to position Thailand as the natural destination capital for yachting in Asia, and the preferred winter destination for the global superyacht fleet.” He went on to explain that attracting superyachts and stimulating luxury boating in Thailand is potentially worth more than US$400m to the country’s economy on an annual basis.

Responding on behalf of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, TAT Governor Khun Yuthasak Supasorn added, “this second edition of the TYS is expected to further drive global awareness of Thailand as Asia’s principal yachting destination, and make surethat Thailand is ready to become the yachting hub of ASEAN.”

The Minister of Tourism and Sports, Khun Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, took up the theme with an extremely heartfelt speech and pointed out that encouraging growth in the marine tourism industry will “generate economic benefits for related local businesses in a range of sectors from shipbuilding to yacht maintenance service providers, restaurants, and the hotel amd hospitality sector.” K Kobkarn also recognised that there exists a need to “improve marine regulations, and provide proper beneficial promotions to attract investment in the leisure marine industry, and to encourage yacht owners to visit Thailand more often.”

Khun Ormsin Chivapruck, Deputy Minister of Transport, noted that his Ministry is “currently evaluating superyacht charter regulations, the implementation of yacht-friendly immigration procedures, and reviewing customs policies.”

Last, but certainly not least, Deputy Prime Minister General Tanasak Patimaprakorn tied all of the speeches together by “requesting and encouraging integration and collaboration among the agencies of the Government of Thailand, and through the marine leisure private sector – and even the media – to boost marine tourism in Thailand.”

While the cameras flashed, the drones buzzed overhead, and the horns blared in the marina, the Official Guests joined together for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a great many photographs, and then went down to the docks for a drive-through of the Show before boarding the crown jewel of the TYS, the 90m Lauren L, for a celebratory dinner.

No matter how threatening the sky looked, the rain stayed away. In the cool of the evening (by now it was past 6.00pm) visitors quickly turned the marina into a sort of passeggiata afloat. One of the unique features of the Thailand Yacht Show is the double-width pontoons which allow for a great deal more dockside activity than at most yacht shows. No sidling past the oncoming foot traffic and trying not to fall in the water here! Between the rows of yachts moored stern-to, pop-up bars and hospitality suites provided plenty of opportunity for visitors to stop and talk to other visitors – and of course to the exhibitors.

The Opening Party at Rock D’ Deck, presented by Sevenstar Yacht Transport was an absolute wow. Said Sevenstar Sales Manager Peter Staalsmid, “We believe in the potential of Asia as a world-class yachting destination just as much as the TYS organisers, and we are absolutely delighted to add our support this flagship event.”

This edition of the Thailand Yacht Show has more boats and yachts on display than the inaugural event in February of this year. “The word has got around,” says Andy Treadwell. “What we have here is a spectacular in-water display of everything that makes up the full spectrum of leisure water activities, from superyachts to speedboats, from stand-up paddle boards to Flyboards and more. It was always the remit of TYS to present to our visitors a full portfolio of marine leisure craft, and we are immensely proud of the support that we have received from our exhibitors. The first TYS was put together in a little over three months from start to Opening; this show is the result of 10 months’ planning, and the difference is huge. We feel that we are well on the way to achieving our goal, and we thank our exhibitors for their enthusiastic participation.”

It is not possible to make this all happen without the dealers, brokers, charter brokers, manufacturers and retailers – in short, exhibitors make a show. But the continued support of the Government of Thailand is a critical part of the programme. The Ministries of Transport, and Tourism and Sports, along with the Tourism Authority of Thailand, and with input from the Departments of Immigration and Revenue, and the Marine Department (not forgetting the Thai Marine Business Association), are working together to streamline and rationalise regulations and legislation that will ultimately benefit the entire marine leisure industry sector of Thailand. It’s a win-win formula for everyone concerned, and a successful TYS is the most immediate and visible proof of the concept.

TYS continues through 16-18 December. Doors open each day at 3.00pm. The show closes at 9.00pm.

For more information and free registration: www.thailandyachtshow.com