Asia's biggest sailing regatta, held in honour of His Majesty the King of Thailand's birthday, is a five-day regatta usually held in the first week of December in the waters off Kata Beach, Phuket.
Competing yachts sailing past the committee boat, waiting for the course to be posted
The first regatta, held in 1987, saw racing between a selection of keelboats, multihulls, even dinghies and windsurfers, and was considered a huge success. It has grown steadily over the years due to the beautiful surroundings, Celsius temperatures in the mid to high 20s, dry weather, relaxed atmosphere, spirit of camaraderie and spontaneous pontoon parties - and today up to 140 yachts, dinghies and traditional sailing vessels compete to receive a King's Cup.