Thailand to hold Super Yacht Expo

BANGKOK, September 17 (TNA) -- Thailand's Ministry of Transportation, together with the Marine Department (MD) have planned to launch an expo on super yachts next year, along with amending concerned regulations to allow international super yachts more anchoring time in Thailand. Deputy Prime Minister Gen Tanasak Patimapragorn chaired a press conference to announce the event, and attended by Deputy Minister of Transport Omsin Cheewapreuk, as well as executives of private companies. The project was created in line with the government's policy to host the Thailand Yacht Show, in order to turn Thailand into a Marina hub within ASEAN in the coming future. Both the transportation ministry and MD believe that the expo, set to held between 8-14 February 2016 at Ao Po Grand Marina in Phuket in the southern resort island of Phuket, would help stimulate national tourism and economy. In the mean time, the deputy transportation minister also gave out anchoring permits to super yachts that are longer than 30 metres. Previously, super yachts were only allowed to pass through Thailand as a transit to other destination but now with the new adjustment to the regulations by the MD, super yachts can stay anchored in Thailand's marina up to 1 year. The move is expected to draw in more super yachts from around the world to Thai beaches. (TNA)