The dates of the first edition of the Phuket Yacht Show, now re-christened the Thailand Yacht Show, have finally been confirmed by organisers SYE Pte Ltd, who also stage the annual Singapore Yacht Show each April, following a partnership agreement signed recently with the Marine Department of Thailand’s Ministry of Transport. The event is destined to become the focal point of the luxury charter yacht business in Asia Pacific, and is set to take place 11-14 February 2016 at Phuket’s Ao Po Grand Marina. The new show is to be publicly announced at an international press conference and private launch party in Bangkok on 16 September 2015, hosted by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. It was the P.M.’s own initiative to create an international Yacht Show for Thailand, and make Phuket the principal hub for superyachts in Asia. Also in attendance will be new Minister of Transport Arkom Termpittayapaisith and Minister of Sport and Tourism, Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, both also involved in and highly supportive of the Yacht Show, together with around 150 specially-invited VIP guests. The proceedings will take place on board the sensational 41m, Norman Foster-designed motoryacht Ocean Emerald ? first in line to be awarded the new Superyacht Charter Licence - moored alongside an exclusive waterfront venue in Bangkok for the evening. Momentum and interest in Thailand’s charter potential have been building in recent months after discussions between key players in the local yachting community, including SYE, and the country’s Ministry of Transport resulted in last month’s landmark announcement of a new licence for foreign-flagged superyachts to charter in Thai waters. Government officials were quick to understand and accept the industry working group’s proposal, which outlined the important economic impact from visiting luxury yachts.