Yacht
The 172-foot motoryacht Taipan III was built in 1981. Her last major refit was in 1998, and it included a spectacular air-conditioned bar/lounge on the main deck (see photo below), in between the swim platform and the main saloon. The bar is where most guests congregate onboard, as it is full of natural light and right in the heart of the action. Breakfast is often served here, along with light lunches and snacks.
     Taipan III’s main saloon and dining room, both on the main deck, are in good condition as well, but their upkeep outshines the maintenance that has been done on the other decks, in particular the bottom deck where the guest cabins are located. These spaces are comfortable, but in need of refitting after a decade of use.
     There is a computer available for guests inside the gym, which also includes a massage table. The multipurpose nature of this space can make for awkward encounters, though there is a nearby sky lounge that can be used for massages when other guests wish to check their e-mail.
     The sundeck is spacious and makes for a lovely dining area in good weather. The formal dining room is far forward on the main deck and is an elegant option for cold or rainy nights. Like the guest cabins, the dining room could use some refitting, including new overheads to replace the ones that sag from the ceiling in some places. But overall, it is a comfortable space for all 12 guests with an impressively large dining table.
     Also worth noting is that Taipan III has zero-speed stabilizers. That is unusual in a yacht of this age.

  
Crew
Most of Taipan III’s crew members are from local areas in Thailand. They seem to be constantly smiling, always eager to please, which is an excellent attitude worth noting.
     However, they are new to the luxury yacht charter industry, and as such do not yet offer the caliber of service that you will typically find onboard yachts of the same size in more developed destinations like the Caribbean and Mediterranean. For instance, the stewardesses serve dinner with tin foil-wrapped plates instead of covered dishes. In one instance, covers were forgotten on well-used pillows in a guest cabin. And in several cases, stewardesses knocked and then entered cabins without waiting for a reply, interrupting guests who were dressing.
     There also seems to be a language-barrier issue. While the American owner of Taipan III says he insists on English-speaking crew, the guests who were onboard during my charter (including me) felt as though the stewardesses did not understand basic requests.
     With proper training, this crew has the potential to provide excellent service. But additional training is necessary at this yacht’s base rate of $160,000 per week.

Chef
Swiss-German Chef Marcel Ackle has been working in Thailand since October 2004, primarily in land-based resorts. He has learned where to get the finest provisions available in the islands, and his repertoire included everything from broiled lobster to perfectly broiled, medium-rare filet mignon.
     It is worth noting here that Taipan III’s galley lacks air conditioning, which during the warmest months in the islands can make for an intensely hot cooking environment. This affects the types of foods that can be prepared and served safely onboard, though Ackle did a good job of varying the menu during my stay.
     With a properly outfitted galley, this chef would have a true chance to shine.

Accommodations
All of Taipan III’s guest cabins are on the bottom level. The large master cabin with king-size bed is all the way forward, while the VIP cabin with queen-size bed is all the way aft. The rest of the cabins are in between with twin-size beds that are large enough to accommodate adults. I slept in one of those twin cabins, and had plenty of space.
     As previously noted, the accommodations deck is comfortable but in need of refitting. Carpeting, fabrics, and woodwork all show their age with frayed edges and markings, which is inappropriate for a yacht in this price range.

 
Destination
Thailand is an example of an emerging destination in the worldwide charter market. Some international charter yachts pass through the islands from time to time, but Taipan III is the first charter yacht to call the area home year-round. The services to support yacht charter are still developing, and should continue to develop as more yachts discover the beautiful islands off the coast of Phuket in particular.
     This area was hard-hit by the tsunami of December 2004, but reconstruction has been swift to accommodate the budding tourist industry. Resorts are up and running, beaches are scrubbed clean, and shops are bursting with souvenirs.
     The islands themselves are numerous and spectacularly beautiful, with secluded beaches and towering cliffs—a combination you don’t see in many other cruising destinations. The water is truly aquamarine, with almost a bright green hue in many places.
     If you enjoy water sports, sunbathing, or beachcombing, then this part of Thailand is a destination you don’t want to miss.