Extended stay for foreign yachts opens up the region to more international yachts, contributing to the local economy and tourism

Marine tourism in the Gulf of Thailand is about to boom. The 5th Ocean Marina Pattaya Boat Show – held 24-27 November, 2016 and set to be the biggest yet with more boats on display than ever – and new improved Customs rulings allowing visiting foreign vessels to stay longer in-country – together lay solid foundations for marine tourism growth in Pattaya and surrounds.

Pattaya’s multi-billion baht marine industry is poised to grow exponentially over the next few years.

“Ocean Marina Pattaya Boat Show has grown steadily since it was launched five years ago. The event is a key business event for the marine industry and in addition to welcoming many domestic visitors each year the event has grown to attract many international visitors also. The confidence that the international community has in this event and Thailand’s burgeoning marine industry underscores its potential and importance to the Thai economy,” said Dr. Tirachai Pipitsupaphol, Managing Director, Ocean Property.

Supporting Ocean Marina Pattaya Boat Show’s aim to make Pattaya the Riviera of Asia, to promote marine tourism in the region and showcase the Gulf of Thailand, is a new ruling on the temporary importation of visiting foreign yachts.

“In the past foreign vessels entering Pattaya were given a relatively short period for temporary importation. This has now changed. The Customs Department in Pattaya have agreed that the “Temporary Importation Permit for Visiting Foreign Vessels” will allow international yachts a period of six months stay which can be extended in-country, opening up the region’s potential to visiting yachts from overseas,” said Mrs. Montira Cherdchoo, Director of Map Ta Phut Customs House, The Customs Department.

This means that Pattaya will become a hub for regional marine tourism and is set to welcome more than 1,000 international yachts and superyachts annually in the near future, boosting Thailand’s tourism revenue.

“Many people are not aware of the beauty of this region. There are 187 islands in the Gulf of Thailand with 43 within one hour by boat of Ocean Marina itself. The cruising grounds are spectacular and the extended say allowed for foreign yachts will help open up the region. This is a very positive move and the region is ready to welcome more than one thousand foreign yachts annually,” added Dr. Tirachai.

Ocean Marina Pattaya Boat Show is a large-scale international event that helps to drive marine business growth in the Gulf of Thailand. Pattaya’s marine tourism fundamentals are strong and the region is expecting to become a leading marine tourism destination.

The four-day Ocean Marina Pattaya Boat Show will showcase upto 20,375 sqm of onshore and in-water exhibition space, including leading international boat and superyacht brands Admiral, Azimut Yachts, Beneteau, Cranchi, CNB Yachts, Jeanneau, Lagoon, Monte Carlo Yachts, Prestige, Princess Yachts, Sanlorenzo, Viking Yachts and Wider, as well as a large selection of brokerage yachts, and displays by marine products and suppliers, lifestyle products and services, luxury property and more. One of the highlights of the show is that visitors can view and walk through a boat, and if interested can go out for a test drive – something other shows in the region do not offer.

The 5th Ocean Marina Pattaya Boat Show will take place 24 – 27 November, 2016 at Ocean Marina, Pattaya, Thailand.

For more information, visit www.oceanmarinapattayaboatshow.com.