New rules to make Phuket regional industry leader

The marine leisure industry in Thailand, and Phuket in particular, is bubbling with excitement and expectation.

Talks over the last few months between the newly-formed Marine Alliance of Thailand (MAT) and Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sport have led to a realization that the country is missing out on becoming a major world boating destination because of antiquated and unevenly applied laws and regulations.

Following a recent seminar held in Bangkok, at which MAT representatives were invited to debate the issues with senior officers from the various government departments involved, the Ministry of Tourism pledged to press for regulatory reforms in order to turn Phuket into Asia’s leading yacht and marina destination.

“The yachting and marine business has the potential to generate billions of baht for the country,” said Dr Sasithara Pichaichannarong, Director General of the Ministry of Tourism and Sport’s Office of Tourism Development, adding that the Ministry would help tackle obstacles by working with other government agencies to take immediate action.

High taxes and cumbersome regulations (including everything from the definition of a yacht, through the right of non-Thais to hold a Thai skipper’s license, to heavy-handed immigration procedures) have resulted in an exodus of yachts to the nearby Malaysian island of Langkawi, denying Phuket – generally accepted as a far superior boating destination – its number one slot.

The organizers of Thailand’s first international Boatshow, Phuket International Marine Expo 2003 (PIMEX), which held its official launch on June 19 at Phuket’s prestigious Courtyard complex, expect to be among the first to benefit from the anticipated reforms.

“Phuket’s marine leisure industry has been set to boom for years, but has been held back by the archaic and convoluted regulations that make yacht owners or charterers feel unwelcome, thereby hampering the development of Phuket’s true potential,” said Grenville Fordham, managing director of PIMEX organizers, Image Asia.

“For the first time it seems things are really on the verge of significant change. For those in the Asia-Pacific marine industry who want to capitalize on the boom by getting in on the ground floor, PIMEX offers the perfect opportunity,” he said, adding that 50% of the show’s capacity was already booked by exhibitors from Asia, USA, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

PIMEX will be held from 7-10 December. It is a waterfront show, with a combination of 26 berths for on-water exhibits, hard stand space and air-conditioned exhibition halls – all set around Phuket’s picturesque Boat Lagoon marina. Parking and ancillary services are provided by Royal Phuket Marina Resort and Spa at their new marina site immediately adjacent.

The show is open to marine, property and selected leisure industry players.

For more information please contact Grenville Fordham   Email: