The Thailand Yachting Conference (TYC), the lead-in event for the Thailand International Boat Show 2026, was held January 14th at the Slate Nai Yang Beach in Phuket. The conference brought together government officials and leading industry professionals from across Thailand and the world to share insights on regulations, cruising grounds, infrastructure, superyachts, charter, management, technology and sustainability.
The Asia-Pacific Superyacht Association (APSA), a Supporting Partner for both events, saw APSA members speaking at the Conference and participating in the Superyacht Lounge at the TIBS. APSA reported on the conference superyacht sessions, starting with ‘Asia-Pacific Ascends: the Superyacht Horizon’, focused on the superyacht cruising grounds of Myanmar, Indonesia, Hainan, Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area (GBA). Jojo Singhmanee (Asia Pacific Superyachts) spoke about the magical superyacht cruising grounds of the Mergui Archipelago, which comprises over 800 islands sprinkled in the Andaman Sea. Fitri Tresnawida (Marina Development Indonesia /Bali Gapura Marina) presented Indonesia’s new flagship development Bali Gapura Marina, and outlined why Indonesia has a strong maritime culture. Nina Lee Boudoul (Sunreef Yachts) was not able to present in person, but provided a slide show showing how China is embracing the boating culture, and how quickly the expansion of the pleasure boat industry is taking place in this region.
Moderator Suzy Rayment (APSA Executive Director) covered the new marina developments in Hong Kong, and outlined the ‘Maritime Tourism’ developments in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area of China. A second panel presentation by four superyacht industry experts: Gordon Fernandes (Asia Pacific Superyachts), Benjamin Tabuteau (Fraser Yachts/ASIAMARINE), Scott Finsten CMM (Ocean Marina) and Balan R Aramagan (Royal Phuket Marina), covered new superyacht facilities and developments in Thailand. On the west coast of Thailand Ocean Marina has increased capacity for larger superyachts up to 95m. The panel then discussed improvements that could be made to the Thailand Superyacht Charter License in order to attract more superyachts to the region and allow for more streamlined charter operations. Green initiatives at Royal Phuket Marine highlighted the need for more sustainable practices within the industry, and the new developments in the Andaman Islands, and the re-opening of the Red Sea route concluded the panel discussions.
Other APSA member speaking at the Conference was Simone Centola (Legal Strategies) who highlighted some of the key legal aspects that parties and advisors have to carefully check and implement before entering into yachts transactions. These include legal due diligence on title and other legal document, understanding how VAT on sale works and who bears liability if not properly settled, buying a yacht v. buying a company, owning a yacht, etc.
The Conference concluded with a summary of the Kgotla Leadership through dialogue presented by Martijn De Liefde (Kgotla Ventures BV), that helped participants to connect and network throughout the day-long conference.