Thailand Yacht Show Changes Dates to February 2018

By Rebecca Bradbury 5 October 2017

Organisers of the Thailand Yacht Show (TYS) have announced revised dates for the third edition of the event, which will return to Ao Po Grand Marina in Phuket, Thailand, from 22^nd to 25^th February 2018.

The date change follows several recent meetings between show organisers 3L Events and various Thai government departments and means the upcoming event, originally to be held in December, will now coincide with the Chinese New Year in the hope to maximise business.

3L Events has been working closely with the Thai government over the past few years to make it easier for foreign-flagged superyachts to charter in Thailand and, thus, help put Asia on the global superyacht map.

According to CEO of 3L Events Andy Treadwell, the outcome of a recent meeting with various departments of the Thai government behind the superyacht charter licence project was very positive.

yachts lined up in Ao Po Grand Marina, Thailand

on board a yacht at the Thailand Yacht Show

visitors sign into the Thailand Yacht Show in Ao Po Grand Marina, Phuket

walking along the boardwalks at the Thailand Yacht Show in Ao Po Grand Marina, Phuket

He said: ‘It is clear that everyone now agrees there’s a lot to be gained by making foreign superyachts welcome. Once the necessary changes are officially confirmed, which we believe will be very soon, then we can realistically expect the other ASEAN nations will join in – and then the global fleet will have a quite amazing new winter yachting destination to consider.’

At another meeting with the Minister of Tourism and Sports, together with officials from the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the final go-ahead for the third edition was confirmed.

TYS was conceived to drive the charter licence project and the development of Thailand as the major yachting hub of Asia forward. As a result of the last two years’ progress, a new marine tourism strategy has been formally adopted as part of the government’s 2021 Tourism Master Plan.

One of the main focuses of TYS 2018 will again be on superyacht charter, alongside the ‘experiential’ style of the show. Visitors will be able to get out on the water in Phang Nga Bay and try out a whole range of water craft, from sailboats, sports-fishers and dinghies to tenders, water sport boats and superyachts.