Thailand?

[beej67]

Anybody sailed in Thailand? What's the sailing like there?

I have an opportunity that may present itself towards the end of the year to move out to Bangkok, and was wondering what the scene/weather is like out there.

Did a search for marinas and whatnot on Yachtworld and it seems like there's a lot more hits for that kind of stuff in Phuket than Bangkok.

[Moonfish]

I have not sailed their personally, but have spoken directly with a few people who have. Just yesterday I was on the phone with my wife's sailor friend from Australia. We were talking about our recent Lats & Atts trip to New Zealand, and I mentioned that next time we'll have to go a little further and sail Australia. After saying how wonderful the Whitsundays are, he immediately started talking up sailing in Thailand as one of his favorite places in the world to sail (he currently sails on Lake Superior where he lives). Incredible, exotic, wonderful, etc. were the terms used in describing the sailing/people/geography/weather of Thailand.

The other people I know who have sailed there have the same opinion. And after seeing pictures of the coast of Thailand, I would love to go there too.

That and I hear the Thai food is excellent...

[beej67]

I notice that Phuket is on the Andaman Sea and Bangkok is on the Gulf of Thailand. If I move out there, I'll likely be in Bangkok, but I wonder where the best place to keep a boat would be. Plus, I'm interested to know what the rules/regs are for that.

[klubko]

Hi,
no personal experience, but from what I hear, Bangkok is not the best place to keep a boat. Look for info on Noonsite (basic legal, weather, facilities etc. info) and there are lot of knowledgeable people on http://www.cruiserlog.com/forums/ SE Asia forum. There has been a "Bruce from Bangkok" on google's rec.boat.cruising (few months back when I was reading the forum), who claimed that the situation in Bangkok has greatly improved, you can try if he's still there.
Good luck
Petr

[Packrat]

Hi, I have sailed cats & day sailors in Thailand as recently as Nov. 2007. I have sailed in both Phuket and the bay of Thailand. The monsoon season is from late april-oct. As to the sailing...it couldn't be better. For the most part the seas are small to flat but the wind will shift thruout the day. The water is mostly clear in Phuket with some pollution in the gulf. I noticed it more near Pattaya & Bangkok, the big cities. The people are awesome, friendly and helpful. Restrictions are fairly loose. Weather tropical. Food cheap and marvelous! I hope this helps.