Thailand opening up to visiting yachts
by Guy Nowell 14 Nov 2020 16:20 NZDT
Thailand © flags.com
A recent article in The Phuket News (implies that Thailand is ‘open for yacht business’ as long as your destination is Phuket or Jomtien (Pattaya).
https://www.thephuketnews.com/ao-por-confirmed-as-location-to-receive-overseas-yachts-77952.php
“On 11 November the Phuket Marine Department revealed the area where overseas yachts carrying tourists will be permitted to moor and complete on-board quarantine.
Phuket Marine Department Acting Chief Nachapong Pranit confirmed that the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has granted permission for sailing crew on board overseas yachts to enter Thailand. Incoming yachts will be permitted to moor for quarantine purposes in two places in of Thailand – Ocean Marine Yacht Club in Chonburi and Ao Por Grand Marina, Phuket.
Mr Nachapong further explained that visitors aboard the yachts will have to quarantine themselves on-board for the required 14 days. Navy from The Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command, based on Cape Panwa, will monitor the yachts to ensure they remain in the allocated area and will track them by Automatic Identification System (AIS).
After the quarantine period aboard the yacht has elapsed, and assuming the subsequent tests are negative, the tourists will be allowed to moor the yacht at the pier of their choice and travel within Phuket in the same manner as those that arrive on the island via air travel.”
Further enquiries of reliable sources in Thailand have revealed that it may not be quite so simple as “turn up and drop a pick for 14 days.” First, it is great to hear that the relevant authorities invited the Thai Yachting Business Association to contribute to discussions aimed at determining a protocol for visiting yachts wishing to enter Thailand. A protocol is now agreed by the Thai Government, but prospective visitors should not expect this to be ratified and operation for at least two weeks – probably a month.
Subject to fine tuning, the procedure will be as follows:
1. Skipper, crew and passengers – foreigners and Thais – need to visit a Royal Thai Embassy to obtain permission to arrive.
2. If leaving Thailand (for example, departing Phuket to move a boat to Pattaya), Thais need to visit the Department of Home Affairs for permission to leave the country.
3. Need health insurance (limit TBA, but they talk about $100,000) covering COVID-19.
4. Engage a local agent. Send the paperwork to the agent, who will coordinate with the authorities, and start the clearance process BEFORE you actually depart.
5. Once your voyage has started,
a. Ensure that your AIS is active throughout the voyage. It will probably mandatory that AIS is installed in the boat.
b. Log daily position etc, plus daily temperature checks for all on board.
6. 24 hours before arrival, contact your agent and advise ETA.
7. On arrival at Pattaya or Phuket, anchor in the designated area. (Pattaya – just outside Ocean Marina. Phuket – south of Koh Naka Yai).
8. Within 24 hours of arrival, the agent will coordinate for a COVID-19 test to be done.
9. After successful negative C-19 result, the vessel may enter the marina - Ao Po in Phuket, Ocean Marina in Pattaya - and berth at the quarantine berth. In the event of a positive C-19 test, instructions are not yet clear.
10. After the vessel is secure, all POB will be taken to an approved Alternative Local State Quarantine (ALSQ) hotel in the transport provided by the hotel (normally included).
11. During the 14-day quarantine period, the hotel will conduct two C-19 tests (normally included)
12. After conclusion of the quarantine period at the ALSQ hotel, a certificate of health will be provided, and you are clear to go about life as normal.
It’s great that efforts are being made to allow yachts to enter Thailand, but very frustrating that it has to be so complicated. Logic says that if you have sailed 1,400nm from Hong Kong to Pattaya (ten days at 6 kts) and then spend four days in a quarantine anchorage and pass a C-19 test, it should be ‘welcome ashore!’ But it’s never that sensible, is it?