The Thai Yachting Business Association (TYBA) has announced that the yacht-length threshold for applying for the Thai Charter Licence has been reduced from 30m to 24m.

TYBA played a key role in the inception of the Thai Charter Licence for 30m-plus yachts in 2015 and has since lobbied for the minimum required length of yachts eligible to apply for the licence to be reduced.

The Ministry of Transport, with its recent announcement concerning Superyacht Commercial Operations in Thai waters, recently granted permission for yachts of 24m and larger, carrying no more than 12 passengers, to apply for the Thai Charter Licence to conduct commercial charters in Thailand.

TYBA believes this reduction could “easily double the number of foreign-flagged yachts coming to Thailand to engage in superyacht charter”. An increase in superyacht charters would attract more high-value tourists, benefit local marinas and companies providing yacht services, provisioning, repair and maintenance, and support the Thai economy due to VAT and taxes.

TYBA stated that it next hopes to change the rule limiting foreign-flagged yacht crew visas to 30 days and instead tie such visas to the period that foreign-flagged yachts are permitted to stay, which is currently up to 30 months under a temporary import permit.

thaiyachtingbusinessassociation.com