It is absolutely possible to hire or buy these boards in Thailand! In fact, Thailand is arguably one of the best places in the world to do so.
An interesting industry secret is that Thailand is the manufacturing hub of the global windsurfing industry. Almost every major windsurf board brand—including Starboard, JP Australia, and Severne—is manufactured at the massive Cobra International factory in Chonburi, Thailand. Furthermore, Starboard, the maker of the Starboard GO, is headquartered right there.
The main locations where you can easily buy or rent a modern equivalent to the Mistral Maui include:
1. Phuket (Best for Buying & High-End Rentals)
Phuket has a massive windsurfing community, particularly around the southern beaches.
- Phuket Windsurfing (Rawai Beach): Established in 1985, they are an official Starboard distributor. They sell brand-new equipment and maintain a large rental fleet featuring modern progression and freeride boards.
- Freedom Boardsports (Chalong): A massive retail store in Phuket that stocks an extensive inventory of windsurf, SUP, and wingfoil gear, including entry-level and intermediate progression setups.
2. Pattaya / Jomtien Beach (Best for Day-Hires & Lessons)
Located just a two-hour drive from Bangkok, Jomtien Beach is the historical home of Thailand’s windsurfing scene due to its reliable cross-shore winds and protected waters.
- Amara Watersports (Na Jomtien): Run by Thai windsurfing legend Amara Wichithong, this center offers a fully equipped rental shack with the latest beginner, progression, and advanced gear.
- Clubloongchat Watersports (Na Jomtien): A massive beachfront watersports hub that offers hourly and daily rentals of top-quality windsurfing gear, perfectly suited for testing out wide-style progression boards.
💡 A Tip for Hiring
If you visit any of these centers asking for a “modern Maui,” just ask the rental staff for a “wide-body progression board with a daggerboard” or specifically request a Starboard GO or Starboard Start. They will instantly know exactly what you are looking for and get you out on the water.