Originally scheduled to take place from February 12 to 15 in the Phuket Yacht Haven marina, it is to be reschduled to a date yet to be set, the organisers have announced on the show's website.
In a joint statement, the marina owners and the show organisers said they regretted the impact that this might have on exhibitors’ plans, but will work closely with them to minimise this. The show’s new dates will be announced shortly.
One of the reasons for the delay, they explained, is that in the past week or so there has been a positive exchange with Thai Government officials indicating significant support for the new show later in the year and, importantly, support for a proposal from the show organisers and local industry representatives to increase the number of superyachts coming to Thai waters from the Mediterranean.
The government has subsequently announced that it intends to promote Phuket as an international yachting hub (see here).
Andy Treadwell, Managing Director of organisers 3L Events, explained, “Both my team and the Yacht Haven Marina team have all worked really hard to get the Show off the ground this year.
“It’s a massive project, and a highly significant one for yachting in Asia, but we all agree that it would be better to delay until conditions are perfect.’
He continued, “What is most important is the fantastic interest the event’s launch has sparked in the industry – we can see it’s going to become a key event, and a real catalyst for the development of the yachting industry here.
“And the main point was the focus on charter, so it’s also exciting to have had a positive reaction from the Thai Government – this could give a serious boost to the industry worldwide.”
Jean Phataraprasit, of the family that owns Phuket Yacht Haven Marina, said, “We are delighted that there seems to be a lot of positivity about yachting tourism and support for these initiatives coming from the government of Thailand now.
“It’s fundamental to the important investment we have made in this project that Phuket remains the superyacht hub for Asia.
“We’re excited that Yacht Haven with its new clubhouse, and the international-scale show that Andy’s team is planning, will be at the forefront of development of the yachting industry here.”
Meanwhile, the organisers of the 2015 Phuket International Boat Show (Pimex), from January 8 to 11 at the Royal Phuket Marina, said this year’s show was a record-breaker “on every front”.
They also announced the dates for the 2016 show: January 7 to 10.
In what is likely to be seen by some as an effort to counter the new show at Yacht Haven, the Pimex organisers announced that special facilities will be included next year to cater to very large boats, with a dedicated Superyacht Zone.
At the moment the largest yacht that can make it up the channel from the sea is about 35 metres in length, but the Pimex organisers are to set up a superyacht reception area in the Royal Villas with its own private dock.
From there, shuttle boats will take potential buyers and guests out to superyachts that will be anchored in Sapam Bay.
Only two marinas on the island have the depth of water to accept yachts more than 35 metres in length: the Ao Po Grand Marina and Yacht Haven, which can both accept yachts up to 80 metres.