Phuket attempts to attract superyachts to Thailand despite COVID-19

A new initiative has been launched by Thailand’s island province of Phuket to secure agreement to allow yachts, superyachts and tourism cruise vessels to visit in an attempt to help the local tourism industry, including the very significant element of marine tourism, to recover.

According to a Bangkok Post report, the Phuket administration has introduced a new special tourist visa (STV) and guidelines relating to foreign tourists/guests and crews of foreign superyachts who would be interested in visiting Thailand. Phuket is both the country’s leading yachting centre and a key tourism destination for Thailand. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a serious impact on both activities.

Both the STV and the guidelines intended to cover all requirements for COVID-19 have been submitted to the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA). They must approve the guidelines and visa, which they are expected to do shortly.

In respect of the guidelines covering the marine tourism aspects, it is anticipated that some 60 vessels comprising 27 foreign-flagged yachts and 33 cruise boats could visit if CCSA approval is forthcoming.

The Bangkok Post report quotes Pichet Panapong, the deputy governor of Phuket, saying, “The provincial committee on disease control had drafted a step-by-step approach on how to use luxury vessels as an Alternative Yacht Quarantine (AYQ) venue. Prior to entry, yacht and cruise boat operators or owners are required to prepare travel plans, identification documents and health insurance policies which cover COVID-19 treatment and have a minimum coverage of US$100,000 (3 million baht) per person for the duration of their stay, and consent to a 14-day mandatory quarantine.”

It is a requirement that any yacht planning to visit must have its automatic identification system (AIS) switched on from the port of departure before arriving in Thailand. There is the possibility, if yachts are at sea for 14-days prior to arriving in Thailand, that they may overcome the need to quarantine on arrival. All crew and passengers must apply for entry permits following the Foreign Affairs ministry rules.

The guideline dictates that Por Bay will serve as the only entry gateway for yachts wanting to dock in Phuket and that they will be required to moor some 6km offshore near to Koh Nakha Noi. The temperatures of all crew and passengers will need to be taken twice daily during the quarantine period and PCR tests performed three times during quarantine respectively on the first day; between the second and fifth day and finally between the 12th and 14th days. No disembarking will be allowed during the quarantine period. Supplies can be delivered by arrangement with the port.

The deputy governor commented, “The province has approved the draft for implementation of the measures. Marine officials, public health authorities, and contracted hospitals have come together to work out these details. When the governor signs it off, it will be proposed to the CCSA for approval. We haven’t done anything beyond the guidelines set by the CCSA.”

Tanyuta Singhmanee, managing director of Asia Pacific Superyachts, was quoted in the report, “Out of the 20 or so yacht operators which are looking to dock in Phuket, half are looking to move to other locations which have already eased quarantine requirements for foreign visitors, such as Singapore. As the pandemic has taken a huge toll on yachting and other related businesses, she urged the government to further ease quarantine restrictions to attract more high-spending visitors. If these vessels just pass us by, the impact [on tourism] will be worse. I suggest we relax some conditions and make the rules more practical.”

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