PHUKET: With exquisite timing to the opening of the annual Phuket Boat Show, Customs officials revealed today that yachts will be required to register every two months instead of six months under tightening rules.
The new arrangement - a flashback to a past era before the six months replaced the two months rule - is likely to be the talk of yachting circles and will anger some sailors.
About 1500 yachts visit Phuket each year, a meeting about public transport at Phuket Provincial Hall in Phuket City was told today.
''For those who come and go from Phuket it will not be such a hardship but it will be difficult for those who put their yachts in for long-term repairs,'' said Phuket Tourist Association Vice president Sarayuth Mallam.
Phuket Customs Director Nanthita Sririkub told Phuketwan later that the new regulation had been announced on December 26.
A formal letter announcing the reduction of the registration period from six months to two months arrived yesterday, she said.
''Next Wednesday we will invite yachtspeople to discuss the issue,'' she said, ''And if it is not popular then it will be changed back eventually.''
Concern about safety and security appeared to have driven the change back to the old timetable, she said, which meant inconvenience for some. The fine for missing the date for reregistering would rise from 500 baht a day to 1000 baht a day, she said.
The eleventh annual Phuket Boat Show - also known these days as Pimex - was due to be formally opened today at the Royal Phuket Marina where it will run until Sunday.
The new arrangement - a flashback to a past era before the six months replaced the two months rule - is likely to be the talk of yachting circles and will anger some sailors.
About 1500 yachts visit Phuket each year, a meeting about public transport at Phuket Provincial Hall in Phuket City was told today.
''For those who come and go from Phuket it will not be such a hardship but it will be difficult for those who put their yachts in for long-term repairs,'' said Phuket Tourist Association Vice president Sarayuth Mallam.
Phuket Customs Director Nanthita Sririkub told Phuketwan later that the new regulation had been announced on December 26.
A formal letter announcing the reduction of the registration period from six months to two months arrived yesterday, she said.
''Next Wednesday we will invite yachtspeople to discuss the issue,'' she said, ''And if it is not popular then it will be changed back eventually.''
Concern about safety and security appeared to have driven the change back to the old timetable, she said, which meant inconvenience for some. The fine for missing the date for reregistering would rise from 500 baht a day to 1000 baht a day, she said.
The eleventh annual Phuket Boat Show - also known these days as Pimex - was due to be formally opened today at the Royal Phuket Marina where it will run until Sunday.
"...it will be difficult for those who put their yachts in for long-term repairs,'' said Phuket Tourist Association Vice president Sarayuth Mallam... Langkawi yacht-related businesses will be rubbing their hands with glee. Shame for all those (Thai) Phuket tradespeople who earn their living in this industry. This will put hundreds out of work!
Posted by Grenville Fordham on January 9, 2014 14:41