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 Thailand
is a place that has something for everyone. For those interested
in foreign and ancient cultures, Thailand boasts of having more
visible historical evidence of past eras than any other Southeast
Asian nation, so take your pick of the ubiquitous historical
ruins and temples to visit.
Diving is available at all times of the year, although visibility
changes according to the season. In the Andaman Sea, the best
time to dive is from October to April, and in the Gulf of Thailand
from May to September.
Scuba diving in Thailand has always been considered world-class.
If you’ve ever dreamed of swimming with a whale shark, this
is the place to do it. Not only is the land diverse above water,
but below as well with huge boulders that create havens for
both large & small fish. Keep an eye out into the blue for
schools of tuna and other large pelagics cruising around. You
will find everything in this underwater paradise from large
pelagics to ribbon eels.
One of the first and still one of the most popular dive areas
is Pattaya on the Gulf of Thailand, just two hours drive from
Bangkok. The main beach is located on a scenic bay, but facilities
are available all along this coast. the Ang Thong Islands National
Marine Park, a group of more than 40 beautiful islands off the
west of Surat Thani province and near Ko Samui. In Pattaya,
scuba divers can organize daily trips from the resort to the
offshore islands of Ko Lan, Ko Sak, and Ko Krok.
The other major water sport center is the southern island of
Phuket in the Andaman Sea. The majority of diving destinations
close to Phuket are located in nearby Phangnga , where hundreds
of limestone islands rise up from the blue waters. Also popular
are the largely uninhabited Similan Islands, recently listed
among the world's ten most beautiful spots for underwater scenery
and the spectacular Phi Phi Islands near Phuket.
Climate:
70 - 93F (21 - 34C)
Water Temperature: 80 - 87F (27-31C)
Visibility: 30' - 130' (10 - 40m)
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Dive
Services
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Feature
Services
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Siam
Dive 'n' Sail
68/14 Patak Road
Mu 2, Karon 83100 Phuket
Thailand
Ph. +66 (0)76/330-967
Fax. +66 (0)76/330-990
info@siamdivers.com
http://siamdivers.com
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Additional
Services
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Blue
Planet Divers
3 Moo 1 Ban saladan, Koh Lanta, Krabi 81150 Thailand
Ph. +66 ( 0 ) 75 684 165
Fax. +66 ( 0 ) 75 684 165
scuba@blueplanetdivers.net
http://www.blueplanetdivers.net
Scuba Diving in Koh Lanta, Krabi with Blue Planet Divers. Padi
Courses and Daily trips to the south of the Andaman Sea.
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Narima
Diving - Scuba Diving Thailand
98 Moo 5, Klong Nin Beach,
Ko Lanta
Krabi, 81150
Thailand
Ph. +66 (0)75 607 700
Fax. +66 (0)75 607 709
info@narimadiving.com
http://www.narimadiving.com
Based in the South of Ko Lanta, near the National Marine Park,
Narima’s experienced dive team has a wealth of local underwater
knowledge built up through thousands of dives in this area. Our
love of diving combined with our personal approach mean we can
offer you rewarding dives regardless of your level of experience.
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Phi
Phi Scuba Diving Center
Ton Sai Village
Phi Phi Island, Krabi, 81000, Thailand
Phone: ++66 75 612655
Fax: ++66 75 612665
info@phiphi-scuba.com
http://www.phiphi-scuba.com
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scubafish
72 Moo 5, Kan Tieng Bay, Ko Lanta Yai, Krabi, 81150, Thailand
Ph. +66 (0)69 468 262, +66 (0)94 825 898
Fax. +66 (0)75 665 093
info@scuba-fish.com
http://www.scuba-fish.com
Scubafish offers you a relaxed and safe environment from which
to dive. We offer the full range of PADI Scuba Diving courses,
using the latest multi-media learning resources. You'll receive
expert supervision and guidance from our team of PADI professionals.
You can expect a relaxed and personal service both above and below
the water.
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ScubaNana
215 Sukhumvit 103 Prawet, Bangkok 10250
Thailand
Tel. +668 7505 4004
Fax. +662 713 5227
info@scubanana.com
http://www.scubanana.com
More than 20 Liveaboards to best destinations, Similan, Richelieu,
Burma and around. Private Charter is available.
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Sea
Bees Kata
96 Thaina Road, Moo 4, Kata Beach
Tambon Karon, Muang Phuket 83130
Thailand
Ph. +6676 284044 - +661 8255259
Fax. +6676 284044
info@phuket-scuba.com
http://www.phuket-scuba.com
All divesites including Similans every day, Liveaboards to Similans
and Hin Daeng, all PADI courses. Nicely located in Kata Beach,
where we can also find you accommodation.
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Sea
Dragon Dive Center
5/51 Mu 7, T. Khuk Khak,
Khao Lak, A. Takua Pa,
Phang Nga 82190
Thailand
Ph. +66 (0) 76 485 420
Fax. +66 (0) 76 485 418
info@seadragondivecenter.com
http://www.seadragondivecenter.com
PADI 5 Star Dive Center specialising in liveaboard dive trips
to the Similan Islands, Surin Islands and Richelieu Rock.
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South
East Asia Scuba Divers
P.O. Box 15
Patong Beach
Phuket 83150
THAILAND
Ph. +66 076 281 299
Fax. +66 076 281 298
info@phuketdive.net
http://www.phuketdive.net
PADI 5 Star diving centers providing all courses, day trips and
liveaboard trips to Similan Islands and Richelieu Rock.
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Travel/Tips
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Travel
to Thailand
With Bangkok serving as the international travel hub of
SE Asia, the capital serves as the landing port for numerous
international airlines, most with direct flights from their
destinations. Some chartered and regional flights may land
at one of the other international airports within Thailand,
consisting of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Hat Yai, Phuket, and
Ubon Ratchatani. The country's national airline is Thai
Airways. Airport departure taxes for international departures
costs 500 baht/person. The check-in counters open 2 hours
and close half an hour prior departure time.
Airlines Serving Thailand
(links are to Thailand sections)
KLM
Northwest
Airlines
United
Airlines
Lufthansa
Airlines
Aeroflot
Air
France
Japan Airlines
Those traveling from neighboring countries may enter Thailand
via road, rail, ships, or ferries.
Domestic Travel
Domestic travel during public holidays and on weekends,
particularly to popular destinations, should be booked well
in advance for all modes of transportation. Booking is particularly
difficult during the Songkran Holiday and New Year's Holiday.
Local air carriers Thai Airways(TG) and Bangkok Airways
(PG) fly to most major provincial airports beyond 250 km
distance from Bangkok. Thai Airways' 2 most popular routes
are Chiang Mai and Phuket. Services to Koh Samui and Sukhothai
are only provided by Bangkok Airways. Other smaller local
carriers include Angel Air (mainly servicing Phuket) and
PB Air which flies to fewer destinations. Air Andaman services
is limited to the Southern cities only.
The domestic terminal is located at the southern end of
the Bangkok International Airport. Normally, check-ins for
domestic flight is one hour prior to departure time and
closes half an hour before flight time. Departure tax has
already been added to your ticket fare.
Domestic Airlines
Angel
Air
Bangkok
Airways
PB Air
Thai Airways
Thai Air
International
Air
Andaman
Tickets can be purchased through travel agencies (cheaper
for international flights, same for domestic flights) or
by booking with the airlines themselves, either via phone,
internet, or e-ticketing kiosks (Thai Airways only).
Buses
Inter-city bus services offer a fast means of transport
to all corners of the country. Air-conditioned buses service
many provincial areas and bookings for both regular and
tour coaches (private companies) can be made through major
hotels and travel agents.
The government bus company, called Bor Kor Sor (BKS), provides
the cheapest mode for getting around Thailand. Being frequent
and reliable, no advance booking is necessary. Both air-conditioned
ones and open-aired ones stop almost everywhere along their
route, with the latter being the cheapest and slowest.
Trains
The State Railway of Thailand runs an efficient rail service
linking Bangkok (Hua Lam Phong is the central train station)
to the rest of the country at very reasonable prices for
express, fast and ordinary trains. Limited western and southern
routes out of Bangkok also operate from the Thon Buri Station,
traveling to destinations as far as Kanchanaburi province
in the west and Chumporn province in southern Thailand.
On express trains, sleepers are available in three classes:
first and second class (air-conditioned), and second class
(non air-conditioned, but with fans).
Advance tickets are available at all principal stations
or the Bangkok Railway Advance Booking Office at (662) 225-0300
ext 5200-3.
Entry Requirements
Visa: Visitors to Thailand who hold valid passports or travelling
documents issued by any country included in an officially
issued list of eligible countries are permitted one-month
visa-free visits. If planning a longer stay, a Tourist Visa
valid for 60 days must be obtained from a Royal Thai Embassy
or Consulate abroad. Visa extensions can be applied for
at the Immigration Department in Bangkok.
Each traveler to Thailand may bring in the following duty
free: 200 cigarettes, one liter of wine or spirits, one
still camera (plus five rolls of unused film), and one movie
camera (plus three rolls of unused film). Thailand customs
strictly regulates the import and export of items such as
firearms, explosives, and narcotics. All books, magazines,
videos or tapes which may be considered obscene or subversive
are completely forbidden, as are certain species of fruits,
vegetables and plants.
Upon leaving Thailand, visitors may take out gold jewelry
free of duty, but export of any other gold is subject to
licensing by the Ministry of Finance. Exports of Buddha
images (except small ones), antiques and genuine works of
art require export license from the Fine Arts Department.
Ask for assistance at the shop where you purchase the item(s). |
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