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Phuket : Profile

Location

Phuket Island is one of the Southern provinces of Thailand and the biggest island. It is now necessary for all foreign boats coming to the island to first berth at Ao Chalong Pier to complete formalities before they can travel anywhere else around Phuket.

Clearance

The pier at Ao Chalong is a one-stop check-in/out service. Officials of Customs, Immigration, Port Captain and one other office are located there. Yachts which take over 7 days to make the passage from Langkawi to Phuket may have some difficulties with customs.

Fees
There are local council fees for yachts checking into Phuket. The minimum fee is around 300 Baht if one states that one is not staying in Phuket but heading for Krabi Province after checking in. Otherwise, for any yacht entering Phuket, the fees are as follows:

(1) length less than 50 feet: 1 week, 300 Baht; 1 Month, 1,000 Baht; 2 Months, 1,800 Baht.

(2) yachts whose length is 50 feet & more: 1 Week, 500 Baht; 1 Month, 1,600 Baht; 2 Months, 3,000 Baht. There is also a fee for anchoring or tying -up in Chalong yacht harbour or vicinity of 500 Baht per month. Yachts are therefore advised to clear in in Krabi Province or Satun where these fees are not charged.

Immigration charge 300 Baht. Customs charge 300 Baht on departure only. The Harbour Master charges 100 Baht on departure only (although this varies). All give correct receipts. If you check in on a public holiday or a weekend an extra fee of 200 Baht applies with both customs and immigration. Make sure you have the correct money and try not to turn up with 1000 Baht bills.

Customs
The best time to check in with Customs is 10.00 - 11.30 or 1500 - 1600 as they often have an extended lunch break.

You will need photocopies of both ships papers and skippers passport. A photocopy of the check in/arrival stamp in passport is required by Customs in Phuket Town. This is best done before you get there as their copier also breaks down on occasions. The walk to the nearest copy shop is about 5/10 minutes otherwise.

Immigration
As from 1 July 2008, all foreign yachts arriving at Phuket (Ao Chalong) for Customs, Immigration and Harbourmaster clearance will be required to fly a bright orange pennant marked "Phuket Immigration" with an identifying number, for the duration of their stay in Thailand. The Immigration flag must be returned to the Immigration office at Ao Chalong on departure from the Kingdom.

The Thai Immigration Bureau advises that the flag signifies that the vessel has already reported to Immigration. The flag should be displayed on the vessel at all times whilst the vessel remains in the Kingdom. Failure to report the vessel arriving or departing the Kingdom contravenes the Thai Immigration Act 1979 and may lead to prosecution.

According to officials, regular checks of vessels will be carried out by Immigration officers to ensure compliance with Thai law. However in reality limited manpower means that this particular new rule is very difficult to maintain and enforce.

Harbour Master
Yachts must check in with the Harbour Master as well as Customs and Immigration; some vessels caught without a harbour clearance have been fined 5,000 Baht. Yachts can now check in at the one stop shop with the harbour master also. Clearance can still be done in Phuket town but then one would have to drive to the harbourmaster's office at the deep sea port. If you are in a hurry for some reason, check in can be done at Phuket Town at the head offices of Immigration and Customs on the weekend for an additional fee. They are within 500 metres of each other.

Even if a boat leaves Phuket province and cruises to Krabi Province, clearance should be done at the Harbour Masters office for the trip.

Last updated July 2008

Thai Customs
www.customs.go.th, customs_pkt_post@chaiyo.com

Docking

There are marinas at the Yacht Haven, conveniently close to Phuket airport near the north of the island, and at the Boat Lagoon, close to Phuket Town.

Entry to the Boat Lagoon channel starts at 07°58.65'N 98°24.9'E and has tide controlled access, with a maximum depth of 10 ft (3.20 m) at high tide. It is marked all the way with concrete and steel pilings set 13 meters apart. Check that they have a berth available first.

Boat Lagoon and the new Royal Phuket marinas have restricted access to some keelboats due to lack of depth in the long approach channel. Both marinas however are very full and should be contacted in advance of arrival.

Strong currents at Yacht Haven Marina permit movements only at slack water.

There are now two large and substantial white concrete channel markers (Port - starboard) in Chalong Bay.

It has been reported that several yachts staying in Chalong Bay during the off season (especially around August to November) have been broken into; other anchorages are safer such as off The Yacht Haven marina.

Royal Phuket Marina
68 Moo 2, Thepkasattri Road, Kohkaew, Muang, Phuket 83200
Tel:+66 (0) 76379397/8, After Hours +66 (0) 81 956 0139, Fax:+66 (0) 76379399, VHF Channel 79
Royal Phuket Marina Noonsite Page, http://www.royalphuketmarina.com
Luxury marina development with 350 berths up to 35 metres. Full range of marina services, and boatyard with range of repair facilities. There are discounts for low season haulouts and hardstanding.

Yacht Haven Marina Phuket
141/2 Moo 2 Tumbol Maikhao, AumhurThalang, Phuket, 83110
Tel:66 76 206 704/5, Fax:66 76 206 706, VHF Channel 68
http://www.yacht-haven-phuket.com, info@yacht-haven-phuket.com
Yacht Haven Marina has easy access & includes deepwater berthing for Superyachts. All berths have water, electricity, WiFi and fuel delivery (up to 5,000 Litres). 24 hr security, amenities block, e-mail, car hire, taxi, coffee shop & restaurant & more - plus other eateries in walking distance. All marine services available & only a short 15 mins from the airport, beaches and various resorts. Gymnasium, Pool & apartments now open.

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Yacht Clubs

Ao Chalong Yacht Club
Moo 4, Chaofa Rd, Ao Chalong
Tel:076-381488, Fax:381934
A friendly club for members and guests alike. Facilities offered include satellite TV, DVD, CDs, MP3, BBQs after races, pool table with pool competition Wednesday night. Dinghy tie up at the beach a few steps from the club house. Situated along the lane behind the Fishing Lodge (look out for the sign). Position 07° 49' 461" N / 098° 20' 760" E

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