Yachts ranging from the merely expensive to utterly unaffordable sailed into view for local residents and tourists when the Ocean Marina Boat Show set sail for the fourth year in Pattaya.
Ocean Property Group expected 7,000 to have attended the four-day show once it ended on Nov. 29.
Spread over 14,000 square meters, the show showcased more than 100 exhibitors from many of the world’s leading boating and luxury goods brands. Among them were Princess Yachts Southeast Asia, the leading British yacht brand; and Simpson Marine New Series, Asia’s leading yacht dealer and exclusive dealer for some of Europe’s most desired yacht brands, including Monte Carlo Yachts, Beneteau and Lagoon.
Rattanachai Sutidechanai, chairman of the Tourism and Culture Council Pattaya, Wisanu Chareonsin, deputy governor of Products and Tourism (TAT Thailand), Dr. Teerachai Phipitsopapol, Managing Director of Ocean Properties, Paweena Bamroongrot, director of Miss International Thailand, Professor Chawanee Thongroj, Minister of Tourism and Sports, Scott Finsten, Harbour Master of Ocean Marina Yacht Club, Sulada Saruthirawan, director of TAT Pattaya, organizers of the Boat Show and Noraset Sritapatso, district chief of Sattahip, attend the opening ceremony for the 2015 Pattaya Boat Show on Thursday, November 26.
One of the highlights of the show was the debut of the Ocean Emerald, one of the only four luxury yachts in the world created by architect Lord Norman Foster.
Princess Yachts and LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE showed off their new craft, as did Azimut and Bakri Cono with its Heliotrope, a solar-powered luxury yacht.
Pattaya is fast earning a reputation as a tropical sailing paradise for luxury yacht owners.
Visitors to the show also were able to test boats and participate in activities, including yachting, paddle-boarding, kayaking, Jet skiing and fishing. They also savored food and drink selections while enjoying music in the park by the sea.
The maritime event also featured a display of supercars, superbikes and luxury real estate.
Crowds flock to Ocean Marina in Na Jomtien on the opening day of the Boat Show.
Chawanee Thongroj of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports said the show was expected to stimulate tourism as well as the marine industry and related businesses, such as boat-building, sales, charters, boat parts sales, services, watersports and marina-based property sales.
Pattaya, he said, is ideal for people who like to spend their time on the water. The city is a leading ocean resort at the heart of a vibrant luxury yacht market.
The show exhibited a wide range of motorized yachts and sailing craft.
Scott Finsten, harbormaster at Ocean Marina Yacht Club, said the event also played host to the Suzuki & Shimano International Fishing Tournament and Boat & Yacht Thai Conference 2015.
Ocean Emerald (rear), one of only four luxury yachts in the world created by famed British architect Norman Foster.
The show also exhibited a collection of stunning supercars.
