Thailand as best sailing venue: Survey

Thailand was voted the favourite sailing venue and best regatta location in Asia thanks to the best sailing grounds, good weather conditions and beautiful scenery.

That was a result of a survey conducted at the 2011 Phuket King’s Cup Regatta of international sailors from around the world.

The survey was undertaken by the Top of the Gulf Regatta (www.topofthegulfregatta.com) in co-operation with the Phuket King's Cup Regatta (www.kingscup.com), with the aim to find out sailing trends in the region, provide useful information in helping to attract more sailors to the region, and to improve facilities and services in the region.

The survey found that of the sailors who came to the 25th Phuket King's Cup Regatta, 53 per cent were resident in Asia and 47 per cent lived outside of Asia. Over 27 per cent of the survey respondents were found to have been sailing in Thailand for more than 10 years, while 53 per cent are relative newcomers - sailing in Thailand for only 1-3 years.

The survey found that Thailand is a popular sailing destination for international sailors, with many returning numerous times to enjoy the cruising grounds and sailing events Thailand has to offer. There are five major regattas in Thailand that local and international sailors are aware of and have participated in, including the Phuket King's Cup Regatta, Top of the Gulf Regatta, Phuket Raceweek, Samui Regatta and the Bay Regatta - Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi.

Thailand’s Andaman Coast, home of the Phuket King’s Cup, Phuket Raceweek and Bay Regatta is well established as a cruising and regatta destination. On the opposite coast, the Gulf of Thailand, the Top of the Gulf Regatta continues to grow attracting a large mixed fleet of 200+ boats each year from youths sailing in dinghy classes, to beach catamarans, multihulls and the big boat monohull fleet.

Of those surveyed, 62 per cent, at some point, brought their boat to Thailand from another country and the most popular ports are in Phuket, Koh Samui and Pattaya. Of those yachts coming to Thailand from overseas, 60 per cent stayed approximately one month while 40 per cent stayed approximately six months.