PHUKET, 18 March 2026: Thailand is moving closer to revising its laws governing chartered yachts and easing visa rules for crew members.
Championing the call for change is the Thai Yachting Business Association (TYBA), which is working to secure passage to a more user-friendly crew visa following the Ministry of Transport’s recent changes to the Thai Charter License for yachts regarding ‘length overall’.
The ministry has issued an announcement concerning Superyacht Commercial Operation in Thai Water (BE 2568/2025), granting permission for yachts of 24 meters and larger, carrying no more than 12 passengers, to apply for the Thai Charter License to conduct commercial charter in Thailand. Previously, the rule applied to yachts 30 metres or more in length from bow to stern. (Length Overall — LOA).
The Association believes adopting a lower LOA could double the number of foreign-flagged yacht visits to Thailand for superyacht charters.
Charters on vessels over 24 metres have been a small part of that market, as few boats of this size register in Thailand due to the high VAT on a yacht worth millions of dollars. Now, foreign-flagged superyachts can apply for a license to operate commercially in Thai waters without paying the 7% VAT on the yacht’s book value.
The license is available for yachts 24 metres and above and is valid for one year. During this time, the yacht will be free to cruise and charter in Thai waters.
There will be a tax of 7% VAT and another 5% Corporate Income Tax or CIT to be paid on the charter fee only and not on the yacht’s value. To obtain the license applications, the Ministry of Transport must be filed through an appointed TYBA member agent.
The TYBA is now working to align crew visa durations (currently 30 days) with the vessel’s permitted stay to support foreign operators better. That requires discussions with the Immigration authorities and the Ministry of Interior Affairs.
“Few yachts were chartering here as legalities meant you had to have a Thai flag, and this wasn’t really viable for most international superyacht owners”, explains Asia Pacific Superyachts co-founder & director Gordon Fernandes. “Now more and more locally owned yachts are obtaining a charter license, and this will fuel the growth in the charter market and the country’s extended seasonal window will support recurring annual basing and strengthen marina occupancy and associated services.”
(Source: Asia Pacific Superyachts)
