First Superyacht Completes Quarantine in Phuket

“The APS team was delighted to be part of the critical process for the first superyacht to clear into the country and complete quarantine aboard,” said Gordon Fernandes, APS Phuket co-founder. Fernandes also disclosed that the Royal Thai Navy was involved in monitoring the yacht during quarantine to ensure that she remained in the allocated area, tracking the vessel by Automatic Identification System (AIS).

Thailand has also announced a proposal to relax restrictions for foreigners entering the country, with a 45-day tourist visa exemption. This is already due to be presented to the Cabinet and will extend the on-arrival visa exemption for tourists from 30 to 45 days. The added 15 days is intended to make up for the 2-week mandatory quarantine.

In September, a new Special Tourist Visa was introduced which would give visitors potentially up to 9 months in the country. The visa, which grants an initial 90-day period, can be extended twice to run up to 270 days. This visa was previously only available to travellers from countries considered low- to medium-risk, however, the Royal Thai Government will now allow visitors from all around the world and for all motives, whether tourism, business or other including superyacht guests and crew.

Asia Pacific Superyachts Phuket has been working tirelessly with the government to help those superyachts seeking passage into the country. One superyacht which has planned to visit Thailand is 85m BOLD. The Silver Yachts-built explorer is currently embarking on a two-year world tour and has planned to make the trip to Thailand in the new year after spending Christmas in the Maldives.