A NEW breed of tourist is invading Thailand, but instead of backpacks and sandals, these newcomers are wearing docksider shoes to stop them slipping on wet decks, and gloves to protect their hands while hauling on ropes.

They aren�t interested in riding elephants around mountains or hanging out in the country�s bars and brothels, they are chartering sailing boats and either entering one of the six major regattas now staged every year in Thailand, or simply cruising around the hundreds of beautiful islands which dot the vast coastline.

The sailing scene in Thailand is booming, partly thanks to the Thai government relaxing its laws relating to importing boats and other marine items, and partly because the Kingdom has become the centre of yacht racing and cruising in Asia.

Many foreigners have set up shop in Thailand, teaching tourists how to sail, and renting out yachts to the cashed-up sailor-tourists, whose numbers are growing rapidly every year.

Since the Thai government relaxed its rules on importing boats and spare parts a few years ago, the sailing industry has been one of the Kingdom�s fastest growth areas.

And Thailand�s reputation for staging good sailing races and great parties, has resulted in record entries for the regattas, including the jewel in the crown, the Phuket King�s Cup Regatta.

The regatta has the royal endorsement of Thailand�s revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who, in his younger days, was a champion sailor.

It is held in the first week of December to coincide with His Majesty�s birthday, and attracts a fleet of up to 100 yachts every year.

The King�s Cup was born 22 years ago when a group of local sailors staged the first event to commemorate His Majesty The King�s 60th birthday.

All types of boat, from the giant maxi yachts to the live-aboard cruisers in which families sail around the world, enter the Thai regattas.

Thailand�s regattas are renowned for their after-race parties, and for those who want to kick on after the parties, the bars, clubs and pubs of Phuket are not far away.

�Where else in the world can you race a yacht through some of the most scenic waters in the world during the day, then come ashore to a beach party on the beach?� said former world junior sailing champion Scott Duncanson.

Weekend sailors have also found they can charter a boat and sail around the Andaman, discovering deserted tropical islands on the way.

To charter a yacht in Thailand, you don�t have to be an experienced sailor, you don�t even need to know how to sail.

Almost all the yacht charter companies provide a skipper and crew, if needed.

Welshman Simon James, runs Sunsail, which is now one of the world�s biggest yacht chartering companies, and boasts an impressive fleet of yachts-for-charter.

�Our fleet keeps growing, but sometimes, we still struggle to keep up with demand,� said Sunsail�s fleet manager James.

�A lot of people fly into Phuket and charter one of our yachts to enter either the King�s Cup, Phuket Race Week or the Phang Nga Bay Regatta.

�People who can�t afford to buy their own yacht, but who love to sail, now have a viable alternative.

�If they get a few friends together to share the cost of chartering a yacht, it�s probably even cheaper than staying in a hotel.�

For information on how to charter a yacht in Thailand, visit www.gulfchartersthailand.com or www.sunsail.com