First superyacht charter licenses submitted in Thailand

Last week, leading yacht agency in Thailand, JStar & Stapel submitted the necessary documentation for the first three charter licenses for superyachts to the Marine Department in Bangkok. JStar & Stapel has played a major role in the industry initiative which has led to the recent legislation change making this licensing scheme possible.

According to JStar & Stapel, the new license effectively opens up the entire region to superyacht charter, a serious financial incentive for many overseas owners considering bringing their yachts to South East Asia at the end of the summer season in the Mediterranean, instead of plying the usual route west to the Caribbean.

JStar & Stapel also claimed that it provides Thailand and the rest of Asia with an essential tool in its quest to become the third global yachting destination, with Phuket at its hub.

The first three licenses will be publicly handed over at an international press conference in Bangkok on 16th September 2015, hosted by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, with attendees such as the new minister of transport Arkom Termpittayapaisith and minister of sport and tourism, Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, plus 150 other VIP guests.

The press conference will take place on board the Norman Foster- designed motor yacht, Ocean Emerald, one of the first three yachts to be awarded the new superyacht charter license, moored along an exclusive waterfront venue in Bangkok.

This follows an announcement made earlier this month, of South East Asia’s first superyacht charter show, launched in official partnership with the Thailand Yacht Show, which is due to take place from 11^th to 14^th February 2016 at Phuket’s Ao Po Grand Marina.

For more information, visit JStar & Stapel.