About Thailand
It is not called the Caribbean of Asia for nothing.
Yet, until recently, Thailand's unparalleled marine
playground has been quite difficult to access, enjoyed
by but a handful of cruising yachts and an even
smaller group of charter holidaymakers. But no more.
A surge in the development of marina facilities
and in the number of yachts available for charter
mean that Thailand is set to burst upon the international
scene as the world's newest yachting playground.
Unimaginable coastline, &beaches
Over 1,000 miles of coastline bordering the Andaman
Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, literally thousands
of islands, countless beaches with pristine white
sand, crystal waters and superb coral reefs, hidden
creeks and headlands meeting the sea, mystical sea
mountains. All these combine with a tropical climate
to create the world's most stunning cruising waters.
Welcome to Thailand... The Thailand that independent
cruising yachtsmen tell tales about on their travels...
The Thailand that many have never left.
Safe tropical climate
Although in the tropics, Thailand has no typhoons.
It is not in a hazardous weather zone. Even the
seasonal monsoons are gentle. Temperatures range
from 25' - 35'C for most of the year, and the sea
rarely varies from a balmy 28'C. This means comfortable,
exotic cruising all year round.
Stunning culture
Who has not heard of the friendliness of Thailand's
people, the magnificent cuisine and the stunning
culture? They are all fact. And all are harnessed
to ensure visitors to this magical Kingdom have
an unforgettable experience. Whichever part of the
kingdom you visit, the experience of Thailand adds
a wonderful extra dimension to a boating holiday.
Thailand's weather
Coastal Thailand lies between 5'C and 13'C north
of the equator, which places it firmly in the monsoonal
weather patterns of the northern hemisphere. This
means that the prevailing winds from November to
April are northeasterly and from May to October
are southwesterly. Typhoons are not a risk in Thai
waters and temperatures range from maximum 35'C
to minimum 25'C.
The Andaman Sea coast in the West experiences regular,
fair to strong, breezes between May and October,
when the best sailing is in the sheltered waters
of Phang-nga Bay. Rain showers are frequent but
not persistent and are interspersed with excellent
sunny clear days. During this season, the Gulf experiences
the same prevailing winds, but tends to be dryer
in the lee of the southern Thai peninsula.
Between November and April, the winds can be quite
strong in the early mornings tailing off in the
afternoons. Later in the season, the winds become
lighter. Thailand is unique as a sailing holiday
destination. There is no off-season. Indeed, the
May-October 'Green Season' offers near-perfect conditions
for keen sailors with reliable winds averaging 12
– but rarely exceeding 25 – knots, bright sunshine
interspersed with showers, and generally cooler
temperatures.
A regional base
Thailand has deservedly become Asia's premier cruising
and boating destination. Residents of South East
Asia already take advantage of this magical marine
world, as do cruising yachts on their way between
the two hemispheres. If you base your own boat in
Thailand, you may find you never need finish exploring
within the Kingdom's borders, but should you want
to look further, there is no better base from which
to explore the whole region. And Thailand welcomes
you each time you return.
Explore the region from Thailand
Thailand's coast borders three other countries –
Myanmar, Cambodia and Malaysia – each with coastal
assets of its own. North of the Andaman Sea coast
is the border with Myanmar and its magnificent Mergui
Archipelago. An unspoiled region with many uninhabited
islands, only a few dive and adventure holiday operators
have been given access to date, but the region is
earmarked for sustainable development. The gateway
to this little-explored area is Phuket and Ranong.
Southwards, at the entrance to the Malacca Straits,
is the Malaysian west coast with a number of islands
offering marina facilities. Phuket and Satun are
well placed to provide easy access to these cruising
grounds, the last stop in Thai waters being Ko Tarutao.
On the Gulf coast of Malaysia, marinas are planned
in each major sea port as stepping stones to or
from Ko Samui.
Cambodia is the least developed coastline in the
region and, along with neighbouring Vietnam, is
set to become the next significant area of interest.
The Cambodian border is just a few miles from Ko
Chang.
To the east of Phuket lie the Andaman Islands, in
Indian waters. These sleepy islands, steeped in
tradition, are just 350 miles off Thailand's west
coast and have only recently begun to welcome visiting
yachts. If you are looking for new frontiers, Thailand
provides the perfect hub from which to explore the
budding cruising grounds of the region.
A thousand places to see in Thailand
The world-famous ‘Pearl of the Andaman' – Phuket
– to the mysterious limestone karsts, mangrove swamps,
creeks, islets and perfect beaches of Phang-nga
Bay, Krabi, Ko Phi Phi and Ko Lanta. The almost
unknown and unspoiled islands off Thailand's west
coast, heading towards the Myanmar border, to the
extraordinary Similan Islands northwest of Phuket
and south to the Malaysian border.
From the favourite holiday islands Ko Samui and
Ko Pha-ngan in the Western Gulf of Thailand across
to the mountainous and heavily forested Ko Chang
and Kut Archipelagos in the Eastern Gulf.
The sheer number of destinations awaiting you within
Thailand's borders is outdone only by the unbelievable
variety. From world-class marina to tiny fishing
village, from big city Pattaya to deserted beaches
and uninhabited islands, this is the marine wonderland
of Thailand. This is Asia's boating playground.
This is the ‘Caribbean' of the East.
Thailand at Dentech Cosmetic Dental Center Bangkok,
Thailand.
