Business
Feadship’s Asian market blooming

PHUKET: Well ahead of the incredibly successful inaugural Thailand Yacht Show (TYS), Feadship Royal Dutch Shipbuilders were making superyacht waves while expanding into the the Asian region.
“At this moment, Feadship is building multiple yachts in different sizes and in different models for Asian and Asia-based clients. The product and the brand appeals to the most discerning yachtsmen in the region, most of them having already owned yachts and/or chartered Feadships,” Commercial Director Bas Nederpelt of Feadship tells the Phuket Gazette.
Though Asian buyers knew how to find Feadship more than 20 years ago, Mr Nederpelt says that there is now a ‘significant’ number of orders ‘well spread’ in the Asian region. The company declines to disclose the exact number of orders handled over the last five years.
However, a number of Feadship clients do live in Phuket or spend their holidays cruising here, often also visiting the Andaman Islands and Indonesia as well.
“Phuket is becoming one of the yachting hubs where we certainly want to be present,” Mr Nederpelt says. “There are several superyacht owners already and many potential clients who can move up to Feadship.”
The company has been involved in the growth of the superyachting community’s awareness of Phuket as a cruising destination, having supported the Asia Superyacht Rendezvous in Phuket since the event’s early days.
“Thailand, and Phuket in particular, functions as a hub for superyachts. Over the years Feadships – yachts which travel the world more than any other brand – have visited Phuket regularly, not only for the beautiful waters, but certainly also for the good infrastructure and great hospitality. Phuket has the best position to be the main yachting hub in Asia,” Mr Nederpelt said.
However, in general, the company is noticing that those yachts being used in Asian waters, such as Phuket, tend to be a little smaller than the yachts built for other regions.
Nonetheless, Mr Nederpelt points out that, “All our yachts, from under 40 meters to over 100 meters, have in common that they are of the same quality irrespective of the size.”
The government is continuing to build on this legacy of stunning cruising grounds and good infrastructure, Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul recently told the Gazette. This goal was a major factor in the government’s backing of the TYS.
“The event [TYS] aims to support the government’s move to promote Thailand as the ‘Marina Hub of ASEAN’, as well as to stimulate Thailand’s economy and further develop its marine tourism industry,” Ms Kobkarn said.
When asked about the impacts the Asean Economic Community would have on Feadship, if any, Mr Nederpelt points out that all initiatives that open up markets, as well as reduce barriers and taxation, will be of help.
The long-term success of Thailand’s push to develop the marine industry and better cater to superyachts will come down to legislation, concurred Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith.
“We have recently announced the regulations and requirements for the new superyacht charter licence that will allow foreign-flagged superyachts to stay and operate in Thai waters for one year at a time. So far, three superyachts have been presented with the licence,” Minister Arkhom said. “In addition, we will collaborate with the Immigration Bureau to facilitate extending the length of stay for crew working on board a superyacht to one year, or equal to the yacht’s cruising duration. Meanwhile, the tax issue is being discussed among relevant agencies such as the Revenue Department.”
In addition to changes in legislation, Phuket marinas continue to develop the necessary infrastructure to cater to the larger recreational vessels.
“The new charter rules (tax reduction), yacht and charter shows and improvement of the infrastructure for yachting will give this [market growth in Phuket and Thailand] a push,” Mr Nederpelt said. “Phuket, and Thailand as a whole, deserve to become one of the top yachting destinations. With joint efforts from the government and the yachting community, this position can be claimed.”
— Isaac Stone Simonelli
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Business
Governments & old media versus social media – who will win? | VIDEO

We look at the recent changes made by the Australian and Indian governments to except control over the world’s biggest social media platforms. India has issued strict new rules for Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms just weeks after the Indian government attempted to pressure Twitter to take down social media accounts it deemed, well, anti social. There is now an open battle between the rise of social media platforms and the governments and ‘old’ media that have been able to maintain a certain level of control over the ‘message’ for the last century. Who will win?
The rules require any social media company to create three roles within India… a “compliance officer” who ensures they follow local laws; a “grievance officer” who addresses complaints from Indian social media users; and a “contact person” who can actually be contacted by lawyers and other aggrieved Indian parties… 24/7.
The democratisation of the news model, with social media as its catalyst, will continue to baffle traditional media and governments who used to enjoy a level of control over what stories get told. The battles of Google and Facebook, with the governments of India and Australia will be followed in plenty of other countries as well.
At the root of all discussions will be the difference between what governments THINK social media is all about and the reality about how quickly the media landscape has changed. You’ll get to read about it first, on a social media platform… probably on the screen you’re watching this news story right now.
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Business
The social media giants in battle with ‘old’ media and world governments | VIDEO

“The rules signal greater willingness by countries around the world to rein in big tech firms such as Google, Facebook and Twitter that the governments fear have become too powerful with little accountability.”
India has issued strict new rules for Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms just weeks after the Indian government attempted to pressure Twitter to take down social media accounts it deemed, well, anti social.
The rules require any social media company to create three roles within India… a “compliance officer” who ensures they follow local laws; a “grievance officer” who addresses complaints from Indian social media users; and a “contact person” who can actually be contacted by lawyers and other aggrieved Indian parties… 24/7.
The companies are also being made to publish a compliance report each month with details about how many complaints they’ve received and the action they took.
They’ll also be required to remove ‘some’ types of content including “full or partial nudity,” any “sexual act” or “impersonations including morphed images”
The democratisation of the news model, with social media as its catalyst, will continue to baffle traditional media and governments who used to enjoy a level of control over what stories get told.
The battles of Google and Facebook, with the governments of India and Australia will be followed in plenty of other countries as well.
At the root of all discussions will be the difference between what governments THINK social media is all about and the reality about how quickly the media landscape has changed. You’ll get to read about it first, on a social media platform… probably on the screen you’re watching this news story right now.
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Never miss out on future posts by following The Thaiger.
Business
Turbulence ahead for Thailand’s aviation industry | VIDEO

When the airlines, in particular, were asking the government to put their hands in their pockets for some relief funding in August last year, it was genuinely thought that international tourists would be coming back for the high season in December and January. At the very least local tourists and expats would head back to the skies over the traditional holiday break. And surely the Chinese would be back for Chinese New Year?
As we know now, none of that happened. A resurge in cases started just south of Bangkok on December 20 last year, just before Christmas, kicking off another round of restrictions, pretty much killing off any possibility of a high season ‘bump’ for the tourist industry. Airlines slashed flights from their schedule, and hotels, which had dusted off their reception desks for the surge of tourists, shut their doors again.
Domestically, the hotel business saw 6 million room nights in the government’s latest stimulus campaign fully redeemed. But the air ticket quota of 2 million seats still has over 1.3 million seats unused. Local tourists mostly skipped flights and opted for destinations within driving distance of their homes.
As for international tourism… well that still seems months or years away, even now.
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