Sailing Thailand

Thailand is a very popular destination for both sailors and landsfolk, and when arriving here after a full year of cruising in Indonesia it was quite a change suddenly sharing every anchorage with at least a handful of other boats. 

Due to the long-established tourism, a world of information already exists about Thailand’s land and sea. So, I will try my best to include everything which we found useful to know, without repeating too much of what is already known.

Thailand drawn route

Our Anchorages South to North

Ko Lipe

Anchored at 06°29.932’N 99°18.136’E
Excellent Holding in 11 meters sand.

Ko Rok Nok

07°12.883’N 99°03.809’E
on Public Mooring

Ko Phi Phi

07°44.701’N 98°45.732’E
on Public Mooring

Chalong Bay

07°49.112’N 98°21.757’E
Excellent Holding in 3.5m sand

VISA vs Exemption

For most nationalities, the rules are about the same, and you have two visa options when entering Thailand. One is to simply arrive without prior organisation and receive the visa exemption at the immigration office. The other option is to get a Tourist Visa beforehand at a Thai Consulate or through a Tourist Agency.

Visa Exemption on Arrival

For most nationalities, the visa exemption on arrival grants you 30 days. However, special treatment is given at the Immigration on Chalong Bay Pier, and Sailors are given 45 days on arrival. 
This permit is stamped in the passport, starts from the day you show up at the office and is extendable for a further 30 days. 
The extension can be done as early as 2 weeks before the initial permit runs out.
The exemption is free (in most cases) except for weekends and holidays when a fee of around 200 baht is charged. 

Tourist Visa (The Royal Thai Consulate in Penang)

If you can handle the extra bit of preparation, the tourist visa is a great option as it grants you an initial 60 days, commencing on the day you clear in, rather than 30 or 45, and again it is extendable with an additional 30 days, granting you a stay of a total of 90 days in Thailand before you have to cross borders.

You can apply for this visa at any Thai Consulate or through a tourist agency, and if you are coming up from Malaysia, you have a few options. But your last chance to apply is at the Royal Thai Consulate in Penang.

If applying for your visa in Penang, this Guide to the Thai Visa is very helpful.

As you are a sailor and therefore most likely have no proof of onward travel from Thailand or Accommodation, instead provide your Vessel Declaration and maybe a photo of the Yacht as proof of living onboard.

Make sure you have all of your paperwork in order (Visa Form can be acquired and filled at the entrance to the Consulate. But the rest, copies of documents, passport, and at least 2 passport photos will have to be prepared elsewhere)

The consulate is only open for visa applications on work days between 09.00 and 11.00 so show up early to make sure that you have enough time for error.

The processing of your application takes about 2-3 working days and costs RM 160.

Opening hours at Thai consulate in Penang
List of Thai Holidays

Port Clearance at Chalong Bay Pier

Doing the Port clearance at Chalong Bay in Phuket is extremely easy. All the offices are located directly on the Pier in Chalong Bay. Tie your dinghy at the designated dinghy dock at the Charter Marina and you will be there in a matter of a few steps.

OFFICES (all placed conveniently in clockwise order in the building):

  • Harbour Master
  • Immigration
  • Custom

DOCUMENTS (it is a good idea to have several copies of each as they charge for copying): 

  • Passports
  • Visa if you have one
  • Vessel Registration
  • Crew List
  • Port Clearance from the previous port

COST:

We were not charged for anything as we already had a visa.
There is, however, a fee for clearing in on weekends.

Useful Sources