Thai Formalities for Yachts Relaxed

Created by doina. Last modified on 2002-10-17 20:23:44
Contributors: Richard Beasley, Phuket
Topic: Cruising Information
Countries: Thailand

Recently Thai regulations have been relaxed for visiting yachts. Under the new regulations foreign vessels are now allowed to stay for twelve months with six months given immediately and the other six month extension given if required. Usually a letter from a marina is involved with the extra six months but this can be got around. Import duties have also been relaxed and now stand at around 45% including all costs. A further reduction has been discussed but no new decisions have been taken.

Checking in has become more regulated with no local Phuket fee being charged anymore. Immigration charges a set fee of 300 Baht with an extra 10 Baht per person for designated passengers. Crew are not charged. This fee applies for arrival and departure. Customs charge 100 Baht on departure only. The Harbour Master charges 100 Baht on departure only. All give correct reciepts. 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.

Service is generally friendly. Please politely decline to pay any extra money if asked. Please give a gift if you are happy with the assistance given by officials as they do a good job helping newcomers with the paperwork and rarely get frustrated. Don't get frustrated with them. Keep in mind this thought "hurry up and wait". That's the way things happen sometimes so as they say in Thai "Cha Cha" Slow Slow or take it easy.

If you ask Immigration for the check in or out forms for use later they will oblige. This way they can all be filled out before you go to the office. They appreciate this. Remember you will need copies of your ships papers, a copy of your passport photo page both signed by yourself on the photocopies all the originals and of course your passports. They have a copier there but sometimes it is broken down. 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.