Hi Amy, thanks for reporting this. I’ve enquired with our contacts in Thailand and apparently, yes, this has been a rule for many years but is rarely enforced. Supposedly the authorities just use it to collect fines when they are low on cash! Many local boats never check in and out of provinces, so there may be something in just lying low. I have added a note about it to the Clearance section.

Reported by Martina & Reinhard Model:
Following information which might be interesting to other sailors (October 2017):

Our yacht flies the Malaysian flag, my wife and crew, as well as myself, are Austrian citizens, we both have one-year non-O visas for Thailand.

Coming from Terengganu, Malaysia, we cleared in at Koh Samui (my wife as a passenger). In Koh Samui, I tried to get information about the requirements for departing to Europe by plane whilst leaving the yacht in Thailand. Immigration on Koh Samui was unable to give me any information and told me to ask at Customs. Customs explained several times (including the boss of the desk-officer), that there is no requirement. They said, “Just take your luggage and travel home“.

After arriving in Koh Chang, we contacted the Laem Ngop Immigration office. Here we were told about the correct procedure which is as follows:
– Bring ALL required documents to the Immigration office – in paper-copy (Passport, contract with marina, plane ticket incl. return-flight).
– Pay a deposit of THB 20.000 which will be refunded on your return to Thailand back at the Immigration office.
– I received an envelope which I had to hand over to the Immigration officer at the airport on departure.

Everything was clear, smooth and without any needs of discussion.

BTW:
The Harbour captain in Koh Samui wants to get paid a “personal fee“ of THB 500 for each clear-in / clear-out. Negotiation, therefore, is required, don´t pay more than THB 200, better zero, off course.

Port Takola, near Krabi, is one of Thailand’s newest Marinas. I have been based there for the last six months and have been delighted with the setup. The staff is very friendly and helpful. It is possible to hire a motorbike very cheaply from the locals, no need to go to town. Ao Nang is just a few minutes up the road with excellent shops, and the traffic is fairly light.

Immigration folks are very friendly and helpful, as have been customs and the port authority, though there is a bit of distance between customers and the rest. About a 20 minute walk between. The hardstand has just become operational an I have never seen a more conscientious team, lifting my boat with great care. There is a very good restaurant and bar about 10 minutes easy walk away.

The marina has all new facilities, is open and lets a breeze through. Access to Krabi is straight forward with a minimum depth of 4.0 meters in the channel. Entrance to the marina is probably the top two-thirds of the tide.

A good guide is the height of tide=depth at the entrance. 2 meters of tide = 2 meters minimum depth at the entrance. Krabi town is just a dinghy ride away. A very peaceful place, easy access to town and tourist activities, but also a great experience with the Thai locals.

Two more marinas exist at the top end of the Gulf of Thailand. One is BangPakong Marina which is closest to Bangkok. This is on the BangPakong River and can be centered around high tide through a locked gate.

It is much cheaper than Ocean Marina and permits liveaboard. Facilities basic but it does have a travel lift and is a cheap place to get the boat out to work on it. Suitable for yachtsmen on a budget. Maximum draft is about 2m for entry on a 3m tide.

The other is Racer Marina on the Pranburi River. I have not yet used this one.

Krabi customs is challenging again. Only give 2-month extensions, 3 if you push. Was told I could only have 3 months because my visa (a renewal marriage visa) fell due in Oct. But next day guy with 7 months left on his visa only got a 3-month extension also. So its all a bit of a mystery. There seem to be fewer boats around this year.

WARNING! The announcement by Phuket Marine Department today. Foreign vessels NOT equipped with AIS will NOT be permitted to enter or depart Thailand waters, starting 19 Oct 2015. Thankfully period of grace has been granted. See news item adjacent for further details.

A word of warning if driving a motorbike in Thailand. In Phuket, the Ao Chalong police department is doing road stops for motorbike driving license checks as well as helmet and registration. Note: A motorbike license is mandatory here, a car license will not do. Watch out if you rent a motorbike as the hire shops don’t necessarily know the rules.

Posted on behalf of Michael Blows:

At my latest check-in to Thailand in Krabi, payment of the bond (THB20000) was unavoidable.. all the other boats coming in now suffered the same thing. I was given only 30 days (or less) and told either I paid the bond to allow me to leave by plane or land to get another visa (via consulate or on re-arrival), or I had to sail out within the 30 days (the latter option effectively negating the 6 month stay for the boat).

Even when the amount is not a big deal it is still a huge administrative workload. Was told by immigration that the way to circumvent is simply applied and get a 60-day tourist visa before coming to Thailand (e.g. Penang or Singapore).

See news item dated 30 January 2014 which explains these new rules regarding length of stay for yachts.