The 2023 Thailand International Boat Show, held at the Royal Phuket Marina from January 12th to 15th, was a grand and spectacular event. The Royal Phuket Marina, known for its world-class facilities, served as the perfect location for the show on the popular island of Phuket, famous for its picturesque beaches and lively nightlife.
As the sun rose on the first day of the show, the excitement was palpable. Boats of all shapes and sizes were on display, from sleek and stylish speedboats to luxurious yachts and everything in between. Attendees from all over the world flocked to the event, eager to see the latest and greatest in boating technology and design.
The main attraction of the show was the 42-meter Burgess Superyacht SONG OF SONGS. With an asking price of 20 million Euro’s, SONG OF SONGS welcomes 12 guests in six suites including the upper deck owner’s suite, which faces aft and overlooks a private terrace. Three double suites and one convertible suite complete her family friendly accommodations. Delivered last year, she was constructed by Heysea Yachts near Hong Kong.
The design features extensive use of glass, floor to ceiling in many of the shared guest spaces, and there are large, glazed bulwark cut-outs on the main deck to deliver infinity views from within. Inside the main saloon there is a dining room forward separated from the lounge and bar area by a large TV screen.
A large sun deck, the forward part of which is shaded by the hardtop, features open-air dining for 12 guests, with lounge seating to starboard and a fully equipped bar to port. Aft is a versatile area for entertainment, exercise or sun lounging.
There is another lounge on the main deck aft and steps lead down to the air-conditioned beach club cabana with sliding glass doors. From the main deck aft, side decks lead to steps up to the foredeck where there are sun pads and a jacuzzi.
Twin Caterpillar diesel engines give her a lively top speed of 19 knots, a cruising speed of 13 knots and a maximum range of 2,000nm. There is a lower deck tender garage just forward of the beach club and tenders launch on horizontal davits through shell doors.
The boat show was a success for exhibitors with SEA Yacht Sales selling a Hanse 460 sailing yacht. Voted the European Yacht of the Year in 2021, the hydrodynamic hull manages to combine a narrow waterline that provides high hull speeds and a wide hull above the waterline that provides largest possible amount of interior space.
Other yacht dealers that sold boats during the show included FLS Yachts & Go Boating, each selling one with multiple sales pending.
Off the water, the show featured a variety of other boats, and boat dealers. There were also plenty of exhibits displaying the latest boating accessories and equipment, such as navigation systems, fishing gear, and more.
A few of the non-yachting vendors participating in the Thailand International Boat Show included the InterContinental Phuket Resort, Naka Island, a luxury collection Resort & Spa in Phuket, Sunshine Beach Resort & Residences, Bangkok Spirit, Jim Beam, Chalong Bay Rum, & Roku Gin.
In addition to the boats and exhibits, the show also featured a variety of other activities and entertainment. There were live bands in the town square on Thursday & Saturday, a DJ on Friday and a six-piece jazz band on Sunday afternoon, the last day of the show.
Throughout Thailand, Saturday June 14th was Children’s Day, and the Thailand International Boat Show did not forget them. Saturday saw kids enjoying Long-legged Bozo Clowns, a Puppet Show, a Popcorn Booth, a Cotton Candy booth, and Face painting.
Food and drink vendors were plentiful and included food trucks serving Japanese Food, Roti and drinks. The restaurants Isola, Thai Taste, and Sea Breeze Bar were also exceedingly popular with guests.
Overall, the 2023 Thailand International Boat Show was a momentous success, drawing in thousands of attendees from all over the world. The boats on display were truly a sight to behold, and the event was a fantastic opportunity for the boating industry to showcase its latest and greatest products and innovations. The show was not only a wonderful opportunity for the boating enthusiasts but also for the local economy as many of the attendees were business people who were interested in investing in the boating industry.
As the sun set on the final day of the show, many of the attendees were already making plans to come back next year, as the 2023 Thailand International Boat Show was an event that was truly not to be missed. The boats, the entertainment and the atmosphere made it a memorable experience for all who attended. It was a celebration of all things boating, and more.
Images courtesy of the Thailand International Boat Show