The Thailand International Boat Show 2023 (TIBS) took place at the award-winning Royal Phuket Marina (RPM) between 12 – 15 January 2023. RPM is a distinguished world-class destination combining luxury waterfront living with an award-winning, state-of-the-art marina. The first boat show to take place in Phuket in three years, TIBS signaled that Phuket is ready to welcome the leisure marine community back to the island and once again position itself as the hub of the boating community in Southeast Asia.
TIBS set a record for first-day visitors of any boat show in the history of Phuket with 1,157 attendees. This number included public visitors, trade visitors and VIPs (It did not include exhibitors and their guests, or media partners), 84 VIPs at the opening ceremony. The count was audited by Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB).
There were 56 exhibitors on display covering international luxury boats, yachts & lifestyle sectors. 13 yachts & boats on display were spread out over 3,921.92sqm of exhibition space on the water and on land.
Food & Beverage options were a plenty including: food trucks (Japanese food, Roti and drinks); Isola Restaurant; the Sea Breeze Bar; and Thai Taste. And almost all attendees raved at the reasonable cost of the food and drink on offer.
The entertainment list included the “Berg Fah Andaman Show” and the “The Junkyard Show” for the opening ceremonies, morning and evening, respectively. There was nightly entertainment after 6pm: a live band on the 12th of January, followed by a DJ on January 13th and the Cactus Band on January 14th. There was also a jazz band on the last afternoon of the event.
No boat show can truly succeed unless it appeals to the whole family. But, therein lies the rub: many parents are nervous to bring their children to a boat shot for fear they may misbehave, cause trouble or leave a mess on a boat. Hence, organizer David Hayes and his team at JAND Events went out of their way to celebrate Children’s Day in Thailand on the 14th of January, the third day of the show. There were long-legged Bozo clowns, puppets, a popcorn booth, a cotton candy booth and face painting. There was also a dancing and singing performance from the students of UWC Thailand. The kids at the show truly had a great time.
Quality visitors and quality exhibitors was the theme heard round the show. You can have thousands of guests, but if all they want to do is take a selfie in front of yacht or feign interest by collecting brochures and taking up exhibitors’ time not much is accomplished. But every single exhibitor remarked that they either made a sale or a number of good leads and connections and that alone justified their participation in the show.
There were just so many quality companies on display, that it’s difficult to name them all, but here are a few of the leisure marine mover & shakers that displayed at the show:
- Aura Visual Equipment (Void Acoustics) is one of the worldwide leaders in marine grade, audiophile grade and highly aesthetic sound systems with diverse applications such as yachts, entertainment venues, wellness retreats and hospitality. Aura Visual System is the exclusive distribution partner for Void Acoustics in Thailand and provides full design services for any application.
- Burgess’ 42m superyacht Song of Songs joined the show and was situated just out of RPM proper in Phang Nga Bay. Built in 2022 by the Chinese yard, Heysea Yachts and with YVD Studio doing the interior/exterior design. Burgess has been perfecting its craft since 1975 and today is the market-leading full-service superyacht agency for yachts over 30m (100ft) with 14 offices worldwide. In charter, sale and purchase, new-build advisory, operational management or insurance, Burgess brings unrivalled expertise to the table. The depth and breadth of knowledge, intelligence and insight is unmatched. Recognising the importance of offering world-class services to the Asian market, Burgess launched operations in Asia in 2015, with a team of experienced superyacht professionals based in Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo, Phuket and Mumbai, supported fully by Burgess’ international network.
- Go Boating was on display in the RPM basin. The company offers a one-stop-shop for all your boating requirements. From quality sales of new and used pleasure vessels from the Dubai based manufacturers Gulf Craft Inc and its brands to include Majesty Yachts, Nomad Yachts, Oryx and Silvercraft. The company sold a boat at the show.
- iAQUA is the world’s fastest, and most advanced sea scooters. They are also the safest and the most reliable too, with easy-service modular technology. They were the outright winner of the ‘Water Toy of The Year” by The Yachting Pages . Their AquaDart Pro comes in five models, with a price, performance, and range of colours to suit all tastes. As well as the AquaDart Pro, for 2023 iAQUA are launching the All New AquaDart Nano, with the patented Dual-Jet technology. The Nano produces a huge amount of power, capable of speeds in excess of 21 kph, for a sea scooter weighing less than 24 kgs. It is also available in two models and four colours.
- Marine Service Asia (MSA) is a full-service marine care company supported by a team of passionate international and local yacht experts, with a solid foundation built within the marine industry; committed to offering high standard engineering, vessel repair and maintenance service with industry-leading product supply. They are based in Hong Kong with global distribution connections, sales and service networks across the Asia Pacific.
- Oceans For All Foundation is a Thai non-profit organization based in Phuket operating since 2019. They have three main active programs at the moment: the “Licence to Clean” project, where seven eco-catamarans collect floating trash from the ocean around Phuket. A second project is called “Team Seagarden”, which focuses on growing and replanting seagrass in specific bays around Phuket to improve the flow of CO² absorption and O² delivery in the ocean. The third project is the “Shark Nursery” program, which focuses on reintroducing sharks into the ocean to rebuild a stable predator-to-prey ratio and, therefore, rebuild a balanced ecosystem in which every species can thrive. Highlighting the Oceans For All Foundation involvement TIBS became the first boat show in Thailand to ever be carbon neutral.
- Octopus Electrical Service has been in business in Phuket for 25 years. It is the Thailand dealer and service agent for Raymarine, Victron Energy, Quick SPA and Schenker Watermakers. Octupus’ qualified team of marine electricians repair, install and service all types of electrical systems all over Phuket. Octupus sold a Schenker watermaker in the first 10 minutes of shows, had lots of interested customers, and noted that the entertainment for the show was sensational and the organization was very good.
- Quick Spa has been a player in the nautical market since 1983 and specializes in the production of nautical equipment: all its products are designed, engineered and produced in the Italian Headquarter located in Ravenna. It offers a full range of products: the well-known range of MC² Quick Gyro gyroscopic stabilizers, integrated systems, technical and decorative marine lighting range, windlasses range and anchoring systems, battery chargers, thrusters range and docking systems, and water heaters.
- Sea Yacht Sales is the regional dealer for Hanse Yachts, 32’-67’ performance cruisers. They also represent Sealine Boats, 33’–53’ Sports Cruisers with a Flybridge Range; Moody Yachts, 41’–54’ Iconic Cruisers; Dehler Yachts,29’-46’ Performance Quality Racers/Cruisers; Fjord Boats, 38’-53’ and Ryck Boats, specifically the R280. Rob Williams, a long-time well-respected member of the boating community, drove down from his home in Ubon Ratchatathani and had this to say about the show: “The TIBS was well attended by potential clients; we had a far higher inquiry rate from qualified customers than from other boat shows we’ve attended. There appeared to be good numbers of visitors outside and we were very happy with the food outlets that the organiser had in place.” Mr. Williams sold a Hanse 460 at the show.
- Sunkissed Yachting offers high-quality, bespoke yachting adventures like no other on the waters in and around Phuket. The company offers a variety of options for all clients, including but not limited to day and evening sails, destination charters, special events and parties, snorkeling and water sports excursions, overnight trips, basic sailing lessons and more. All of this delivered by an experienced, friendly, international team.
- TAKACAT was designed & developed in New Zealand in 2007 and has proven to be unique in its class. Whether its fishing, diving, a tender for your yacht, flood relief, motorhome use or just to have some fun in, look no further. Lightweight, versatile, durable, portable and ultra-compact making TAKACAT is the ultimate choice for your next inflatable boat.
- Since 1997, TUUCI has revolutionized outdoor spaces with durable, innovative shade platforms featuring nautically inspired designs. TUUCI was born from seaside roots in Miami, Florida, where the global headquarters still resides today. TUUCI’s distinctive designs are experienced around the world, in commercial, marine, and residential settings.
- YACHT ME is a Thailand's yacht lifestyle platform (iOS, Android, and web-based applications) where both yacht/boat owners and customers can meet each other and facilitate activities for the interests of all parties. Booking your yacht trip with this platform has never been so easy.
- Yanmar Marine International Asia Co., Ltd. (YMIA) has operated for a half-century centering on advancement of boat and marine equipment with the capability of developing and manufacturing from core engine to boat all in-house alongside a global network of engine dealers, providing maximum satisfaction to our customers
A big supporter of the show was UWC Thailand International School, who were an official local partner, which strives to make a education a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future. UWC Thailand, a non-profit international school on the beautiful island of Phuket offers a holistic, transformative, and rigorous International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum education from pre-kindergarten to grade 12, including both day and boarding students. UWC students acted as volunteers throughout the show and also took to the stage to perform their myriad musical talents.
It’s time for the Phuket boating community to get behind and support one annual boat show. For a boat show to succeed, the community at whole needs to support it and that way everyone benefits. The time for boat show politics is over. As such the Thai Yachting Business Association (TYBA) has thrown its support behind David Hayes and the JAND Group endorsing TIBS 24, which will be held from 11th-14th of January next year.
This is the statement the TYBA released: “Following the TYBA Board Meeting on the 3rd March 2023 it was decided that the TYBA will no longer pursue holding its own boat show for 2023 or early 2024. It was agreed that this decision will be reviewed again by the Board of the TYBA following the running of TIBS 2024. The TYBA will become a Supporting Authority for the Thailand International Boat Show A Luxury Lifestyle Event for 2024.
“David Hayes of the Thailand International Boat Show has agreed that any fully paid up TYBA members booking and paying for exhibition space whether on land or on the water for TIBS 2024 will be entitled to the following offer: 10% discount up to a ceiling of 10,000 THB per berth booked in the water, this cannot be combined with any early bird discounts but can be combined with the multi-berth discount now on offer. On land, the same discount applies per area booked by the TYBA member but again cannot be combined with early bird discounts. This offer is subject to a cutoff date of the 31st August 2023 for contract signed and deposit paid.”
The summary video for TIBS 2023
If you have any questions about the show, or want to make a booking for next year, please contact David Hayes on +66 (0) 76 601 320 or email info@thailandinternationalboatshow.com.
thailandinternationalboatshow.com
Easy Branches Global Guest Posting Services in multi languages
Best last minute News headlines from Your Country and inborn language
SEA Yachting magazine
Instagram Easy Branches Marine
Yachts News | Discover the Exclusive World of Yachts
Yachts Listings for Sale and Charter
immediate for delivery New Exclusive Hyper, Mega, Classic and Super sports Cars
Crypto Coins for FREE when use this link
