Sailing – Clearing into and out of Phuket

Phuket is Thailand’s southernmost province and its largest island. It, along with the surrounding islands, is considered one of the best cruising destinations in Southeast Asia. Many islands offer good anchorages or mooring buoys, and there are several marinas in both Phuket and nearby Krabi. Visitors can enjoy excellent snorkelling, pristine white beaches, hongs to explore, and mangrove forests. The area features affordable restaurants with delicious food, chandleries, slip yards, and friendly, smiling locals.

All vessels entering Phuket are required to either moor or anchor in Ao Chalong to complete the necessary formalities before travelling to other parts of Phuket and Thailand. Once your boat is secured, you must visit the Phuket Yacht Control Centre at the end of the Chalong Pier in Ao Chalong.

*Clearing in and out of Phuket is usually a straightforward process, thanks to an efficient system. Once you enter your boat’s details into their system, you won’t have to do it again unless there are any changes.

To *check in and out, simply enter the skipper, crew, and passenger details into the system. After that, proceed to the Harbour Master, Immigration, and Customs. We have only been directed to the Quarantine office once, and in that instance, only the Master was required to attend. Having cleared in and out of Phuket numerous times, and only visited the quarantine office once, I can’t provide more information about that check-in procedure.

Moorings can be arranged through the Phuket Cruising Yacht Club (PCYC).

Phone Brent on +66 (0) 862 697 138

It is essential to know if any crew plans to leave Phuket by air or by any transport other than the vessel they arrived on.

The Master and crew of a vessel cannot leave Thailand using a different mode of transport than the boat they arrived on without securing a ฿20,000 bond. To avoid this complication, ensure that any crew members who will leave the vessel are registered as passengers. Additionally, registering any passengers departing from the boat while clearing out from the previous port simplifies the process. It is important to note that not everyone on board can be marked as a passenger; each vessel must designate one crew member – the Master.

If the Master wishes to leave the country without the vessel they arrived on, they will need to pay a bond of ฿20,000. This can be done at the Vessel Control office located within the Phuket Immigration Office in Phuket Town. Upon their return to Phuket, they must visit the Vessel Control Office again. There, they will receive a cheque for the bond along with directions to the bank where it can be cashed.

Alternatively, you can pay a non-refundable fee of ฿2,000 to change your status, which effectively provides a stamp in your passport. This stamp permits you to leave the country and, if applicable, extend your visa.

On July 15, 2024, Thailand implemented a visa-free entry scheme for citizens from 93 countries. This scheme allows them to stay for up to 60 days without a visa and permits them to extend their stay by another 30 days. Additionally, the list of countries eligible for Visa on Arrival (VOA) at immigration checkpoints has been increased from 19 to 31 countries/territories.

Moreover, a new Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) has been introduced, allowing foreigners to stay in Thailand for up to 180 days for tourism and remote work.

Visa and stay extensions cost ฿1900 and can be obtained at three offices in Phuket: the Phuket Immigration Office in Phuket Town, Blue Tree, and Patong.

In 2015, we stopped at Penang and went to the Thai Embassy to apply for a 60-day visa. If desired, I assume you could stop there on the way to Phuket and get the new DTV 180-days visa. I will update this information as I get it. You can also apply online.

Click here to read about Visa exemption and Visa On Arrival

Everyone on the vessel must complete a Thailand Digital Arrival Card up to three days before arriving in Thailand.

https://tdac.immigration.go.th/arrival-card/#/home

Clearing in and out of Phuket at the Phuket Yacht Control Centre.

Where: The two-storey building with the sloping roof at the end of the Chalong Pier in Ao Chalong – 07° 49.08’N, 98° 21.05’E

• • Get to Chalong Pier – take your dinghy through the marina breakwater and head towards the jetty. You will see where people leave their dinghies.
  • Shuttle buses carry passengers to the end of the pier from shore for ฿10 (return).

When: Open from 0900 – 1500 (closed from lunch between 1200 – 1300)
Note: Registration Office opens at 10:00 on weekends and public holidays.
Phone: +66 (0)76 38 3900, +66 (0) 7638 1614

Checking into Phuket

• • Fill in the arrival logbook.
  • If it is the first time the vessel has entered Thailand, an account will be set up (user/password), and you will enter the vessel’s particulars.
  • You enter the details of the Master and then of the crew/passengers. Note: You can do this step online at yachtcontrol.depa.cloud
  • Fees: Weekdays – Nil / Weekend & public holidays – Nil

Complete the Digital Arrival Card up to three days before your arrival – https://tdac.immigration.go.th/arrival-card/#/home

You can update it if you arrive earlier or later than you noted on the application.

• • Fill in the arrival log book.
  • They will ask for:
    • copy of all passports
    • copy of boat registration
    • copy of last port clearance
    • copy of your MMSI number or just tell them the number
  • If you are not the owner of the vessel, you will need:
    • A copy of the owner’s passport
    • Power of attorney**
  • Fees: Weekdays – ฿500 / Weekend & public holidays – ฿500

• • They will ask for:
    • all passports
    • copies of all passports
    • copy of the boat registration
    • copy of last port clearance
  • One at a time, you will be called up for biometrics – photo and fingerprints.
  • Fees: Weekdays – Nil / Weekend & public holidays – ฿520

• • Fill in the arrival log book.
  • They will ask for:
    • Copy of all passports
    • Copy of boat registration
    • Last port clearance
    • Picture of the boat with the name visible (can be emailed to [email protected])
    • Power of attorney**
  • Fees: Weekdays – Nil / Weekend & public holidays – ฿800

You will receive a SIMPLIFIED CUSTOMS DECLARATION

Checking out of Phuket

• • Fill in the departure logbook.
  • At the computers, log in and click on check out next to your vessel name.
  • Enter the details of the Master and then of the crew/passengers.
  • Note: You can do this step online at http://yachtcontrol.depa.cloud
  • Fees: Weekdays – Nil / Weekend & public holidays – Nil

• • Fill in the departure logbook.
  • They will ask for:
    • a copy of all passports
    • a copy of the boat registration
    • a copy of the MMSI certificate, or just tell them the number
  • You will receive port clearance.
  • Fees: Weekdays – ฿500 / Weekend & public holidays – ฿500

• • They will ask for:
    • a copy of all passports
    • a copy of the boat registration.
  • One at a time, you will be called up for biometrics – photo and fingerprints.
  • Fees: Weekdays – Nil / Weekend & public holidays – ฿520

• • Fill in the departure logbook
  • They will ask for:
    • Copy of all passports 
    • The port clearance from the Harbour Master
    • Immigration stamp import
    • Picture of the boat (you can email it to [email protected]
    • Power of attorney* (if you are not the owner) 
  • Fees: Weekdays – ฿200 / Weekend & public holidays –  ฿1000

You will receive OUTWARDS CLEARANCE

* Clearing in/out & checking in/out are interchangeable. I have used both terms in my article, as I do in general and find that many other cruising sailors also do.

** Power of attorney is the authority to act for another person in specified or all legal or financial matters. In this case, a power of attorney permits another person to check a vessel into or out of Thailand without the owner present. We have had to obtain a letter of authority when taking other people’s boats out of or into the country during boat deliveries. In its simplest form, a letter from the owner stating you are the Master of the vessel and have permission to enter or leave Phuket will suffice.

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