Introduction
 Phuket
island is Thailand's premier tourist destination and it is here that you find the largest concentration
of hotels, restaurants, shops and nightlife in the Andaman Sea. The island is connected to the Thai
mainland by a bridge, but has retained a distinct culture fused from Chinese and Portuguese influences.
Phuket's most beautiful beaches are situated on the west coast and consequently this is where the majority
of the tourist facilities can be found. The Asia Pacific Superyachts offices are in Patong
Beach - the island's busiest tourist area and main night-life centre and also at the Phuket Yacht
Haven Marina.
With the idyllic tropical islands of Similan, Surin and Phi Phi and the world-class cruising areas of
Phang Nga Bay and Krabi a few hours sail away Phuket is a great base for visiting Superyachts. There are
three marinas and a well-serviced international airport on the island.
 Weather
The Thai-Malay peninsular divides two different oceans - the Andaman
Sea (Indian Ocean) and the South China Sea (Pacific Ocean) - and also acts as a distinct atmospheric
barrier, dividing two very different and often opposing weather basins.
The Andaman Sea delivers an annual southwest monsoon to Phuket from mid-May to October. Typically this
monsoon alternates for periods of one or two weeks between heavy spells - where huge amounts of rain is
dumped across a wide region - and lighter / clear spells. Boating is usually possible in the land-locked
Phang Nga area throughout the monsoon season but areas such as Similan and Surin are generally best
avoided.
 During
the southwest monsoon season anchorages on the west coast of Phuket can become exposed, with a short swell
(as much as 2 metres), a beach break and the occasional strong, onshore squall. The jetty at Patong is
unavailable during these months.
Year-round temperatures on Phuket vary between 21-34ºC.
Water temperatures range from 26-28ºC.
Charts
The Royal Thai Navy charts are the primary charts for Thailand.
There are four charts which cover Phuket, no's. 308, 334, 335, and 335a, and these can be purchased from
the Asia Pacific Superyachts offices in the Yacht Haven Marina and our main office in Patong Beach.
Tides
 The
tidal range of Phuket is fairly large, the range at Phuket's Deep Sea Port is 3 meters. Local tide tables
are published by the Hydrographic Department of the Royal Thai Navy and are available from the Asia
Pacific Superyachts offices in the Yacht Haven Marina and our Patong Beach office or on the internet
here.
Cruising Guide
Sail
Thailand published by ArtAsia Press is a must-have guide for all yachts visiting Thailand. It can be
purchased around the island or directly from:
Art Asia Press
143/1 Charoen Nakorn 13
Klongsarn, Bangkok
10600, Thailand
Tel: +66 (0)2 861 3360
Fax: +66 (0)2 861 3363
e-mail: aapress@loxinfo.co.th
Courtesy Flag
A Thai courtesy flag should be displayed whenever entering Thai
waters.
 The Thai flag is red, white and blue horizontal stripes and can be purchased from the
Asia Pacific Superyachts offices in the Yacht Haven Marina and our Patong Beach office. Red symbolises
'the Nation', white symbolises 'the Religion', and blue symbolises 'the Monarchy'.
Security
In comparison to many places, Phuket is a remarkably safe place,
crime rates are exceedingly low and the huge majority of the population are very welcoming to foreign
visitors.
There have recently been some incidents in the Chalong area concerning thefts from small yachts but
Superyachts, which tend to have more obvious security systems and generally have someone on watch, have
not been targeted.
Foreign women are very unlikely to receive unwanted attention from Thai men and often comment how safe
they feel on the island.
 Arrival
The majority of superyachts visiting Phuket first stop off at
Singapore and journey north through the Malacca Straits to Langkawi, where Malaysian check-out
formalities can be completed and duty free stores taken on board.
There are a number of ports between Singapore and Langkawi, including the old Dutch port of Malacca,
Port Dickson, and the commercial port of Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia's capital), Port Klang.
Regulations
On entering Thai waters check-in must be completed within 24 hours.
This is usually done at Krabi or Phuket. Thai check-in procedures are rather complicated and we would
strongly advise that you request the help of Asia Pacific Superyachts.
Yachts entering Thailand are granted a six month stay before they have to leave the country. At least one
crew member is obliged to register a transit status with the vessel, but can sign off on posting a
returnable bond of US$ 800.
Crew members are usually granted a one month stay before being required to leave the country but certain
nationalities, such as Indians, will require a Thai visa in advance. Asia Pacific Superyachts
can take care of all formalities on your behalf.
Yachting facilities
Phuket has three marinas on the east coast - the Phuket Boat Lagoon,
Phuket Yacht Haven and the newly established Royal Phuket Marina:
The Phuket
Boat Lagoon, which comprises the marina, a hotel resort and a canal village can accommodate yachts
with a maximum length of 36 m, maximum draft of 3 m and maximum beam of 8 m. Many marine service companies
have taken up residence in the ring of shops immediately around and facing the berths.
The
Phuket Yacht Haven can accommodate larger yachts with a maximum length of 50 m, maximum draft
of 4 m, and maximum beam of 10 m. On shore they are offices, restaurants, bars, showers, telephones,
lockers and toilet facilities.
Chandlers, fuel barges, sail and awning supply and repair shops are all available on the island.
Asia Pacific Superyachts, can supply virtually anything a yacht could wish for.
There is a GSM mobile telephone system on the island
and mobile phones are still expensive to buy. Asia Pacific Superyachts will supply a mobile telephone
to all yachts which sign up with the agency and simply charge calls at cost.
VHF telephone links are available. Ship to ship is available on channel 72. Phuket Yacht Haven and the
Deep Sea Port stand by on channel 68. |
