The 24 metre rule since 2025 and who it changed things for

The band that was stuck

Between 24 and 30 metres sits an enormous share of the world charter fleet: the Sunreef 80, most Azimut and Princess hulls that charter well, and the whole class of large crewed catamarans that suits tropical cruising. Under the old 30 metre threshold, none of those could hold a Thai charter licence on a foreign flag.

That left owners with three options: reflag to Thai, which is a real commitment; stay away; or charter anyway and hope. The third option was taken often enough that it shaped the market.

What the change does

• More yachts can legally charter, which over time should improve both the choice and the price at the 24 to 30 metre end.
• The excuse disappears. An owner in that band can no longer say the licence was unavailable, because since 2025 it is available.
• The question becomes answerable. Before 2025, asking a 26 metre foreign-flagged yacht for its charter licence was asking for something that could not exist. Now it is a fair question with a real answer.

24 metres is measured as length overall. A yacht advertised at 23.9 metres and one at 24.1 metres sit on opposite sides of a regulatory line, which is worth knowing when a listing rounds.

What did not change

The twelve-guest cap stayed. The insurance requirement stayed. The requirement to apply through an authorised TYBA member agent stayed, and so did the Thai fiscal representative who declares movements and pays the tax. The licence is still annual.

Thai-flagged vessels were unaffected throughout. The domestic fleet operates under its own rules and always did.