German captain arrested in Phuket over alleged unlicensed luxury yacht tour

*A German captain has been arrested on board a luxury sailing yacht in Phuket after authorities uncovered what they described as an illegal tour operation offering high-priced multi-day packages in the Andaman Sea.*

Published: 2026-03-14 22:14 UTC Event date: developing

German captain arrested in Phuket over alleged unlicensed luxury yacht tour

A German national was arrested by Phuket Marine Police on March 12, 2026, aboard a luxury sailing yacht off the coast of Phuket, following allegations of operating an unlicensed 11-day yacht tour in the Andaman Sea. Authorities said the tour packages, marketed online for six-figure sums per person, targeted foreign tourists and were not properly licensed under Thai law.

Phuket Marine Police Target Unlicensed Yacht Tour Operations

The arrest took place at approximately 5pm and involved coordinated efforts by Phuket Marine Police, Phuket Tourist Police, and the Department of Tourism. The operation was the result of more than five months of surveillance and evidence gathering into suspected illegal tourism activities in Phuket’s marine sector. Officers located the luxury yacht in local waters, where they found a German man acting as captain and six German tourists onboard.

Online Sales of High-Priced Andaman Sea Packages

Investigators reported that the alleged operation sold multi-day marine tour packages through a dedicated website, charging each traveller hundreds of thousands of baht. The yacht was registered under a company listed as a rental business, but officials claimed it was being used to secretly run unlicensed tour packages for foreign visitors. During interviews, the tourists confirmed they had booked the 11-day sailing programme online and paid the full amount in advance to the company involved.

Legal Action and Ongoing Investigations in Phuket

Authorities charged the German captain with operating a tourism business without a licence under the Tourism Business and Guide Act of 2008, and with failing to carry the vessel’s licence on board, an offence under Section 150 of the Navigation in Thai Waters Act of 1992. The investigation also revealed several other businesses in Phuket allegedly using similar methods, such as setting up yacht rental companies or using nominee shareholders as fronts to sell unlicensed tour packages online. Officials stated these practices undermine legitimate Thai marine tourism operators.

The case remains under investigation as authorities continue to monitor and crack down on illegal tour operations in Phuket and surrounding areas. Further enforcement actions are expected as the Department of Tourism and local police expand their efforts to protect lawful businesses and maintain safety standards in the region’s popular marine tourism industry.

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/general/40063741