AFTER the sailing came the aleing last night for participants in the Phang Nga Bay Regatta, regarded as the friendliest of them all.

More than 300 sailors and 60 yachts took part in the competition sailed over four legs from January 27, and most of them (the people not the yachts) seemed to be at the Outrigger Serenity Terraces Resort Phuket in Rawai last night for the final party.

The location, right on the shores of Chalong Bay and with a nautical flavor, seemed appropriate, and the music was good.

Phang Nga Bay Regatta president Caroline Payen said the 12th regatta produced some memorable moments running from the Ao Po Grand marina to the sights of Phang Nga Bay, then Koh Yao Yai, to Railay Beach in Krabi then back to Phuket.

Yachts taking part this year came from Thailand, Malaysia, Malta, Singapore, France, Australia, New Zealand and Britain.

Quite a few are crewed by visitors who come for the racing then stay on to explore the region once the racing is done, boosting the local economy.