Yacht quarantine in Thailand reduced

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Thailand is Asia’s most iconic holiday destination

Asia Pacific Superyachts has commented on the Thai Government’s efforts to boost tourism by reducing the period of quarantine for visitors. Quarantine reductions began when the Thai cabinet approved a progress plan at the start of April, with quarantine for visitors cut from 14 days to 10 days for all arrivals, with exception of visitors from some African countries.

Gordon Fernandes and Tanyuta ‘Jojo’ Singhmanee, co-owners of Asia Pacific Superyachts, said this was further good news following earlier announcements that owners and crew of superyachts can quarantine on board and foreign-flagged superyachts will soon be able to charter in the country without a prohibitive tax.

Ao Po Grand Marina in northern Phuket

Fernandes said: “Thailand has announced its major plans to reboot tourism and is now welcoming foreign-flagged yachts to a reduced quarantine, with more reductions to come soon. We have a few superyachts currently in Singapore that want to come to Phuket. This is great news for them.”

Jojo, a member of the Thai Yachting Business Association, added: “The Thai Customs Department has extended a temporary entry exemption from one year to two years, with owners allowed to fly in and quarantine on yachts.”

Ang Thong National Marine Park in the Gulf of Thailand

The Thai government has announced plans for Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, Krabi, Pattaya, Phang Nga and Phuket to reopen to fully vaccinated tourists with a reduced seven-day quarantine requirement.

Furthermore, the cabinet is considering approval for a proposal that, as of July 1, vaccinated tourists and yachts will be able to travel to Phuket with no quarantine requirement.

Marine life in Koh Tao, north of Koh Samui; Photo: Calypso

If the plan is approved and successful, then as of October 1, the quarantine requirement will be scrapped for vaccinated tourists visiting Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, Krabi, Pattaya, Phang Nga and Phuket. This means both the Andaman Sea to the west of the country and the Gulf of Thailand will be open to yachts.

Focusing vaccination efforts on Phuket, the government hopes to vaccinate 70 per cent of the island’s population before July. Phuket’s governor has recently stated that he hopes to vaccinate as many as 50,000 people with the first dose within seven days of vaccines arriving on the island.