Thailand Charter Week enjoys Ministry, TAT support

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Mr Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn (centre), Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports, at the Thailand Charter Week opening ceremony

Mr Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports, has thrown his personal support behind the second edition of Thailand Charter Week, which is also sponsored by the Tourism Authority of Thailand and organised by the Thai Yachting Business Association.

Ms Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Deputy Governor for Domestic Marketing, Tourism Authority of Thailand, and Mr Narong Woonsiew, the Governor of Phuket, were also among senior government officials who attended the opening day of the Thailand Charter Week at Phuket Yacht Haven. The event was first held in late 2019, with the second edition delayed until now due to the pandemic.

Mr Phiphat being interviewed at Phuket Yacht Haven

On Wednesday afternoon, government officials and VIPs cruised on three of the exhibiting superyachts: the 34m Xanadu, built by Dutch shipyard Moonen, the 39m Indiana and the 30m Mia Kai, both built by Turkey’s Bilgin Yachts. In the evening, they attended the event’s official opening ceremony at Yacht Haven’s The Deck restaurant, which overlooks the marina.

“Thailand Charter Week 2022 is a fabulous marketing platform that works well with Thailand’s strategic marine tourism plan. This luxury yachting event will help promote Thailand as a marine tourism destination, offering premium charter yachts and superyachts to international and domestic charter brokers,” said Mr Phiphat.

Mr Phiphat viewing the 34m Xanadu

“Yachting will be one of the key mechanisms for restoring the economy by tourism. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports gives its full support to this event in term of sponsorship and will promote this event through our domestic and international media channels.”

Mr Phiphat spoke about the cooperation with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), which exhibits at major boat shows in Monaco, Cannes, Fort Lauderdale, Dubai and Sydney, as the country seeks to revive tourism following a quiet couple of years in the pandemic era.

The Thailand Charter Week runs from November 16-19

“We’re working with our international TAT office to promote and advertise the country’s stunning yachting destinations,” Mr Phiphat said. “Additionally, we have a ‘road show’ exhibiting at major yacht shows in Europe, US and other regions, which play an integral part in promoting Thailand as a yachting destination to the international market.”

Mr Phiphat also commented on some major yachting projects in Phuket, including the upcoming superyacht marina in Port Macchanu, which will be able to haul out superyachts for services, repairs and maintenance.

Ditapong Thitadilok, President, Thai Yachting Business Association

“It’s great that private companies are interested in developing marine infrastructure. Thailand needs more marinas, especially superyacht marinas. This will increase our capabilities to become ‘Asia’s yachting hub’,” Mr Phiphat said.

“Superyacht shipyards are still a missing piece of the puzzle, as they help enable superyachts to stay in Thailand long term. They need an international-standard service facility and the Port Macchanu marina will be a big move for Thailand.

“Thailand will benefit from superyachts staying long term because most of their annual expenses will spread through the local economy, creating jobs for local people.”

Participating yachts will be on display at Yacht Haven for inspections from 10am-6pm on the Thursday and Friday (November 17-18). On the Saturday (November 19), selected yachts will host guests as they take a tour of nearby Bay.