Thailand Yacht Show 2016.2 - on the starting blocks

by Guy Nowell, Sail-World Asia and TYS Media on 14 Dec 2016 Tomorrow is wheels up for the Thailand Yacht Show, but today is the TYS Yachting Forum at the White House, Phuket Boat Lagoon. Once again a collection of industry heads will be discussing how to boost the marine leisure industry in Asia in general and Thailand in particular. Representatives of the Thailand government and the Thai Marine Business Association will be at the mic to talk about “Making Thailand Asia’s Premier Yachting Destination”, updating the delegates on “Regulations in Thailand”, considering yachting activities in the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand, and lastly discussing marine infrastructure, waterfront development and marinas in Thailand.

The second Thailand Yacht Show is actually the second TYS in 2016, so let’s call it ‘TYS The Sequel’. The first TYS took place in February this year: organiser Andy Treadwell – also the force behind the immensely successful Singapore Yacht Show – explains. “Singapore is the financial hub of this part of Asia. It is where the deals are done and business is transacted. Phuket is the de facto boating centre of western SE Asia. We want the two yacht shows to be complementary, and so we have re-set the timing so that the events ‘bookend’ the principal boating season. Instead of a very long pause from February 2016 until December 2017, we have brought the TYS dates forward to fulfill what we see as a proper and practical timing. Now, December, is where the TYS belongs in the calendar.”

Over the next few days (15th-18th) Ao Po Grand Marina will host more than 50 seriously impressive superyachts and boats on display. The inaugural Thailand Yacht Show was a resounding success with over 70 brands, 4,700 participants and just over 40 yachts and boats – this time it’s bigger and better.

Exhibitors include dealers Asia Marine, Boat Lagoon Yachting, Burgess Yachts, Hong Seh Marine, Lee Marine, Multihull Solutions, Simpson Marine and Titan Fleet. Visitors will also be able to admire and even try out yachts from some of the world’s biggest and best known superyacht builders such as Azimut, Feadship, Sunreef, Ferretti, Princess, Jeanneau, Fountaine Pajot and Beneteau.

16 superyachts are part of this year’s Show, of which the highlight is the spectacular 90m Lauren L, the largest yacht to ever go on display in Asia. She is one of the largest yachts available for charter in the world, accommodating 40 guests in 20 staterooms. Lee Marine boasts the largest exhibition at the show with 15 boats in the water, half of which are superyachts, with the jewel in the crown being m/y Paraffin, a 60m Feadship.

Asia Marine will present the Galeon 460, making its Asia debut at the Show. This 14.5m boat is renowned for its versatility with multiple sections that fold out and expand for many functions, effectively distilling the features of a superyacht into a much smaller boat.

There’s also a glamorous social programme including the Rock D’ Deck TYS Welcome Party to mark the Show’s opening, private superyacht parties, supercar parades and fashion shows.

Doors open 1500h tomorrow Thursday 15th.

For further information: www.thailandyachtshow.com