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.

All the crew should be present for clearance.

As of 1 September 2011 it may be possible to check-in online before arrival. See news item for further details. Checking in online combines three forms into a single form. Yacht owners can fill in their information in advance including vessel’s name, arrival time, crew list, passenger list, cargo manifest etc. On arrival at Chalong Pier skippers only need bring documents such as passports and yacht registration to the one-stop shop.

The web address for this new service is http://yacht.phuket.go.th

Noonsite would like to hear from cruisers who have been able to use the new online system - email us at noonsite@noonsite.com.

Fees
Officially 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 between 200 and 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.

Some cruisers have reported that fees vary and in some instances no fees have been requested at all.

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 passports. 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 travel agent 100m from the office will make copies for a small fee.

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 Last updated October 2011.

Port Office
(Customs, Immigration and Harbour master), Ao Chalong Pier
Tel:+66 (0)76 38 3900 / +66 (0) 7638 1614

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. Entry is difficult and has tide controlled access, with a maximum depth of 10 ft (3.20 m) at high tide. For boats over 50 feet with a draft in excess of 2 metres, entry may not be possible even at the highest tides. 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.

Last updated February 2010.

Ao Po Grand Marina
113/1 Moo 6, Tambon Paklok, Amphur Thalang, Phuket 83110
Tel:+66 76 336 200 / mobile: +66 85 794 7600, Fax:+66 76 529 063, VHF Channel 69 (08:00 - 24:00 hrs)
info@aopograndmarina.com
Opening Hours: Marina office: 08.00-17.00 7 days per week
Mid Island Location, position: 08° 04’ 075 N / 98° 26’ 739 E. Late arrivals by appointment. Full service marina with WIFI, restaurant, deep water fuel dock, hardstand with a brand new Roonberg hydraulic lift trailer (47,000KG) and tractor, repair shops, small chandlery and charter offices (Sunsail and Moorings base for Phuket).

Phuket Boat Lagoon Marina
221/1 Moo 2 Thepkasattri Rd, T. Kohkaew, Phuket 83200
Tel:+66 (0)76239055, (0) 76238975, Fax:+66(0) 76235056, VHF Channel 67, 71
bolabowa@e-mail.in.th
Located midway along Phuket’s East coast. The entrance to the channel is at Lat 07 58.65 N Long 098 24.9 E - well-marked by concrete posts and takes approx. 45 minutes to navigate at 4 knots. The channel is shallow and neither is it lit, so night entries should not be attempted. The marina basin is dredged to approximately 3.5 metres and the maximum LOA is 35 metres. Services include water, electricity, fuel dock, showers. Full service yard and two travel lifts with beam limit, electronics repair store, chandlery and some marine services. Haulout is reported to be expensive here and living aboard while ashore is not encouraged.

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
Luxury marina development with 350 berths up to 35 metres. Full range of marina services, and boatyard with range of repair facilities. Travel lift with beam limit. There are discounts for low season haulouts and hardstanding.

Yacht Haven Marina Phuket
141/2 Moo 2 Tumbol Maikhao, AumhurThalang, Phuket, 83110
Tel:+66(0) 76 206 704/5, Fax:+66(0) 76 206 706, VHF Channel 68
info@yacht-haven-phuket.com
Easy access & deepwater berthing for Superyachts. Water, electricity, WiFi, fuel delivery (up to 5,000 Litres), 24 hr security, amenities block, car hire, taxi, coffee shop & restaurant. 15 mins from the airport.

Yacht Clubs

Ao Chalong Yacht Club
52/25 Moo 9, Soi Pon Chalong, Chaofa Rd, T. Chalong, A. Muang, Phuket 83130
Tel:+66(0)76-381488, Fax:+66(0)76 381934
www.acyc-phuket.com, info@acyc-phuket.com
Founded in the early 90's ACYC has provided support and facilities for many cruising yachts over the years. A new location and new clubhouse (Sep 2011), dinghy launching ramp, secure dinghy storage ashore, floating jetty, club racing every second Sunday.
Organisers of the Bay Regatta (Phang Nga Bay).
ACYC is a accredited training school for RYA courses. In 'Streets of Phuket' guide, reference Map 110 H2 (New Phuket street directory).
Visitors welcome.

Phuket Cruising Yacht Club (PCYC)
On the beach at Chalong, 300m N of jetty, yacht check-in office & town centre
Tel:+66 (0)862 697 138
www.phuketcruisingyachtclub.org/
Welcome visitors - guest membership +50baht/day. Showers, marine guides, tide charts, book swap, dinghy lines under lights, WIFI, water, preferred contractors list, bar & restaurant and much more.
Accredited by Royal Thai Customs to authorise vessel visa extensions.

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