Phuket (Thailand) – September 17, 2015 (travelindex.com) – Southeast Asia's first superyacht charter show is launching in official partnership with the Thai government. Dates for the inaugural Phuket Yacht Show, now renamed the Thailand Yacht Show, have been confirmed by organizers SYE Pte Ltd, who also host the annual Singapore Yacht Show in April, following a recently signed partnership agreement with the Maritime Authority of the Thai Ministry of Transport. Aimed to become the central hub for the luxury charter yacht industry in the Asia-Pacific region, the event will take place from February 11-14, 2016, at Ao Po Grand Marina in Phuket.

The new yacht show will be officially announced on September 16th at an international press conference and exclusive opening party in Bangkok. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will host the event. The initiative to create an international yacht show for Thailand and establish Phuket as Asia's premier superyacht hub originated with the Prime Minister. Also in attendance will be the new Minister of Transport, Arkom Termpittayapaisith, and the Minister of Sport and Tourism, Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, both of whom are involved in and strongly support the yacht show, along with approximately 150 invited VIP guests. The entire event will take place aboard the sensational 41-meter motor yacht "Ocean Emerald," designed by Norman Foster and slated to be the first to receive the new superyacht charter license. The yacht will be moored at an exclusive Bangkok harbor for the evening.

Interest in Thailand's charter potential has increased significantly in recent months, following talks last month between key players in the local yachting industry, including SYE, and the Thai Ministry of Transport, which led to the landmark announcement of a new license for foreign superyachts to charter in Thai waters. Government officials quickly endorsed the proposal from the industry working group, which highlighted the significant economic impact of luxury yacht visits.

Andy Treadwell, founder and owner of SYE, commented on the official announcement: “With superyacht charter now legalized – and even very much welcomed! – in Thailand, and the government and all other stakeholders working together, the timing is ideal for launching our new yacht show with industry-wide support. Ao Po Grand Marina is the perfect location for the event, and we look forward to providing this important new platform to support Thailand’s stated goal of becoming Asia’s leading yachting center.”

Phuket is already well-known among superyacht owners for its excellent sailing areas and is strategically located for yachts from the Mediterranean heading to Southeast Asia and the Pacific. It is considered the most important infrastructure hub for large yachts in the region and offers over 100 berths for superyachts in the Ao Po Grand Marina and Phuket Yacht Haven alone, as well as numerous top-class service companies.

The new license opens the entire region to superyacht charters, providing a significant financial incentive for many foreign owners considering bringing their yachts to Southeast Asia at the end of the summer season in the Mediterranean, rather than taking the usual westward route to the Caribbean. It gives Thailand and the rest of the Asia-Pacific region an important tool to establish themselves as the world's third most important yachting destination, with Phuket as a central hub.

“In recent years, the number of foreign yachts calling at Phuket has increased significantly. They are mostly en route to and from Southeast Asia, even without charter options. This year alone, over 75 superyachts have cruised in Phuket. We want to encourage these yachts to stay longer and use Phuket as a base for charter trips. We therefore hope that more and more yachts will come to us. We are very pleased to be co-hosting the new Thailand Yacht Show in Phuket. We have designed this show as a platform for owners and brokers to bring yachts to Thailand and, through visitor interest, boost charter activity,” said Dr. Chula Sukmanop, Director General of the Maritime Authority of Thailand.

The Thailand Yacht Show promises to bring together potential buyers and charter brokers at the renowned Ao Po Grand Marina, which offers space for 260 yachts over 100 meters in length. At the same time, smaller yachts and boats, both new and used, will also be available for purchase and charter.

“We are proud to have been selected by the government and organizers to provide the backdrop for this important yachting event, which offers visitors from all over Thailand and the wider region, as well as the many wealthy residents of Phuket, the opportunity to experience and explore the enormous potential for cruising in the region,” says Kasem Chiarasomboon, Managing Director of Ao Po Grand Marina.

The Thailand Yacht Show offers a diverse range of options for both luxury yacht charter buyers and brokers and managers from around the world, providing an opportunity to discover the full potential of the virtually limitless sailing areas surrounding Phuket. For further information on exhibiting or sponsorship partnerships, please contact [email protected].