Chartering a boat in Thailand: licence, rules and safety
Last verified:
EMERGENCY AT SEACall Thai-MECC (ศรชล.) on 1465. MAYDAY on VHF 16 · DSC 70.
Arriving by boat
The skipper of a yacht arriving from abroad must report the arrival and the departure to Thai Customs and obtain a vessel release document from Customs.
Thai Customs Department ▾
Season and weather
The rainy season runs from around mid-May to mid-October; TMD declared the 2026 rainy season started on 15 May.
Thai Meteorological Department (presentation hosted by WMO) · Thai Meteorological Department ▾
Forecast: The Thai Meteorological Department publishes a 24-hour weather forecast for shipping (weather, wind, wave height) for the Gulf of Thailand and for the Andaman Sea and Malacca Strait.
Rules on the water
Life jackets: Marine Department ship-survey rules require every Thai sea-going motor vessel that does not make international voyages (fishing vessels excepted) to carry life-saving equipment, including a life jacket for every person on board. This is a carriage rule; no general rule obliging recreational boaters to wear one was found.
Marine Department of Thailand (Regulation for Ship Survey No. 15, B.E. 2528, as amended) · Marine Department of Thailand (Regulation for Ship Survey No. 15, B.E. 2528, as amended) ▾
Hazards and warnings
Strong riptides have drowned swimmers, especially in monsoon season. Designated beaches have lifeguards and a flag system; obey red flags.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ▾
Jellyfish come close to shore, particularly in the rainy season from May to October, and their stings can be fatal.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ▾
Koh Samui: When the northeast monsoon strengthens over the Gulf, the Thai Meteorological Department issues strong wind-wave advisories with waves of 2–3 m or more and tells small boats in the Gulf to stay ashore.
Thai Meteorological Department ▾
Phuket: When the southwest monsoon is strong, the Thai Meteorological Department issues warnings for strong wind-waves in the Andaman Sea, with waves of 2–3 m and more in thundershowers; small boats are told to stay ashore when these warnings are in force.
Thai Meteorological Department ▾
On the radio
Search and rescue is coordinated by the Bangkok Rescue Co-ordination Centre. Thai SAR units work on VHF Ch 16 and DSC Ch 70, and HF/SSB 6215 kHz (DSC 6312 kHz).
Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (AIP Thailand, GEN 3.6) · Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (AIP Thailand, GEN 3.6) ▾
Bangkok Radio is the coast station responsible for communications with merchant shipping; it and the Royal Thai Police Marine Police can help coordinate search and rescue missions.
Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (AIP Thailand, GEN 3.6) ▾
Divers
Somdech Phra Pinklao Hospital in Bangkok (Naval Medical Department, Royal Thai Navy) operates a hyperbaric centre.
Royal Thai Navy Medical Journal (Naval Medical Department) ▾
Charter bases in Thailand
Before you sail
Frequently asked
When is the best time to sail in Thailand, and when is storm season?
The rainy season runs from around mid-May to mid-October; TMD declared the 2026 rainy season started on 15 May.
How do I clear in when arriving in Thailand by boat?
The skipper of a yacht arriving from abroad must report the arrival and the departure to Thai Customs and obtain a vessel release document from Customs.
What is the emergency number at sea in Thailand?
Call Thai-MECC (ศรชล.) on 1465. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.
Other charter countries
Every line above is a plain-English summary of an official source — open “▾” for the exact wording. Rules change: confirm with your charter company and the local authority.