Thai Temporary Charter License

Thailand's Ministry of Transport is expected to sign off the Thai Temporary Chartering License for foreign-flagged superyachts, before the end of July 2015. In order to charter in the upcoming 2015-2016 season, Northrop & Johnson charter brokers in Asia recommend applying for a license as soon as possible.

Due to current laws, the rate for this license is Thai Baht 40 ($1.50) per ton, this rate is expected to increase soon. 

Below are good-to-know details for anyone interested in chartering in Thailand this coming season and beyond: 

• Licenses are available for yachts 30-meters/100-feet and larger. This could increase to 40-meters and larger next year

• Licenses are valid for 365 days. The starting date is flexible based on clients’ preferences

• Licenses are not extendable or transferable

• The first year of these licenses is a test year; more stringent regulations may come in subsequent years

• VAT and crew regulations decisions are slated for finalization in November 2015

• The current VAT is 7%

• Yachts can leave and re-enter Thailand multiple times within the one-year period

High season in Thailand is November to April on Phuket’s west coast, the Similan Islands. Yachts are able to cruise Phang Nga Bay, Krabi, Phi Phi, Koh Lanta and much further north onThailand’s east coast, including Gulf of Thailand and Pattaya, any time throughout the year.

Northrop & Johnson is thrilled with the swift action of the Thai government, aided by strong support of the Thai Tourism Authority (TAT) and the Thai Marine Business Association lobby (TMBA),  to create this necessary license. The TAT aims to organize a superyacht show sometime between December 2015 and February 2016 to attract superyachts and ultra high net worth tourists to the country.

*Original Article: Embark July 2015