Conditions for Allowing Cruise Ships and Super Yachts to Operate in Thai Waters

Those who wish to operate a cruise ship or a super yacht in Thai waters must comply with the following criteria and conditions:

1. It is allowed to request permission for cruise ships and super yachts belonging to a person not qualified to hold ownership of a Thai vessel for trading in Thai waters only in the case that the number of Thai vessels operating is not enough for the demand of the country.
2. The applicant must be a person of Thai nationality or a juristic person established under Thai law.
3. The cruise ships and super yachts of a person not qualified to hold ownership of a Thai vessel for trading in Thai waters that are allowed for trading in Thai waters must be at least 30 meters or over in length and carry no more than 12 passengers. Additionally, the vessels must have complete and correct documents, as specified in the Announcement of the Ministry of Transport on the conditions for using cruise ships and super yachts of a person who is not qualified to be an owner of Thai vessels for trading in Thai waters under Section 47 bis of Thai Vessel Act B.E. 2481 (1941).
4. The applicant for permission notifies the intention according to Form Kor Thor 1 at the Ship Standard Registration Office or the Regional Port Office under the Port Authority, and specifies the time for using the vessel to trade in Thai waters.
5. The permission period to use foreign vessels for trading in Thai waters is not more than one year.
6. The applicant must comply with the conditions specified in the permission form Khor Thor 1-1.
7. In case of non-approval, the applicant has the right to proceed in accordance with the law on administrative practice and the law on the establishment of administrative courts and administrative court procedures.

Information as of 30 April 2023
Source: Digital Government Development Agency
Tel. +66 2612 6060