Enjoying the Islands of Thailand

Thailand is one of the greatest vacation spots in the world It is inexpensive, has affable people, delicious food, a diverse culture and an amazing variety of sites to visit. You can relax on amazing beaches, hike large mountains, dive impressive coral reefs, visit ancient historical sites, explore great caves, and hang out in energetic and fast paced cities. However, most tourists come to Thailand for the beaches and, these tropical islands are the best reason to come to Thailand. However, Thailand has hundreds of tropical islands to choose from. Most tourists stick go to a few popular Thai islands and with good reason. They wouldn’t be popular if they weren’t good.

Each island has it’s benefits, from Thailand Snorkeling to the Best diving in Thailand.

However, despite Thailand being firmly on the tourist trail, there are still some undiscovered islands in Thailand. Here are seven islands in Thailand that are relatively not very touristy:

Koh Lipe is a small island located in the southern Thai province of Satun and is situated in the Andaman Sea. The island is located in the Tarutao National Marine Park. The name “Ko Lipe” means paper island in the local Sea Gypsy language. Though Ko Lipe is gradually becoming more touristy, it is still a relatively quite place for now. There are coral reefs for diving right off the island, white sand beaches, inexpensive food, and nice locals. Most places only have electricity until midnight, giving you a place to watch the stars at night. Avoid the holiday season when the crowds peak.

Ko Tarutao National Marine Park consists of 51 islands located in the Andaman Sea. Ko Tarutao is the main island and is where the park headquarters is located. There are no lodges, resorts, restaurants, or bars on the island. There is just the park’s canteen and a small store that is only open until 8pm. Accommodation here is simply cheap bungalows or tents. For those looking for a cheap and rustic island in Thailand, this place is it.

Ko Chang is a tropical marine national park. Situated in the east near the Cambodian border, it’s Thailand’s second largest island after Phuket. Recently, with the surge in development and popularity, Ko Chang is Thailand’s new popular tourist destination. With its chain of white sandy coves and beaches, pristine rain forests, abundant wildlife, coral reefs, high mountain peaks, waterfalls, and great nightlife, Ko Chang is one of Thailand’s most sought after holiday destinations. If you stick to the east side of the island, there is very little development and you can still enjoy a holiday away from the crowds.

Surin National Park is found some 60 km off the west coast of Phang Nga province. The excellent diving, snorkeling, hiking and game fishing are what most visitors come for, and those hoping to find a quiet refuge from the tourist traps will be delighted with the lack of “development.” Surin Nuea is also home to a community of around 150 Moken, or “sea gypsies”, who have settled there on a semi-permanent basis for several decades. The Surin islands are protected and can only be visited by organized tours, which helps keep the diving good and the crowds thin.

The Similan Islands are composed of nine granite islands washed by a clear blue tropical ocean and blessed with some of the world’s finest beaches. Despite a rough start, the Similians and all its reefs have recovered from earlier calamities and overuse. Boats entering the Similan Islands have to follow strict rules imposed and controlled by the national park officials, have to use the moorings prepared by the national park and use closed waste water systems to avoid any pollution.

Ko Lanta is popular with tourists seeking a holiday away from the parties. It’s popular with a more relaxed crowd than nearby Ko Phi Phi: more walking on the beach and watching the sunset than drinking and dancing. And even when the island is at its fullest, there will be a quiet place for you to relax – the beaches are never full.

Ko Mak is one of Thailand’s best kept treasures. It is an ideal destination for visitors who want a tranquil environment unspoiled by mass tourism. Amongst 10,000 palm trees, there’s a temple, three fishing community villages, rubber plantations, and two uninhabited beaches. Hardly anyone comes here, except couples and divers. Koh Mak is the perfect place to relax, explore, calm your mind and soothe your senses.

Jellyfish sting “prevention creme” is NOT – dangerous

As taken from the Wicked Diving Website….please repost!

 

 

The season has begun and diving is great! However some unscruplous marketers are trying to exploit people’s fears. Trying to sell divers, snorkelers and visitors some “magic cream” that prevents jellyfish stings – people can be put at risk of injury or death.

Avoid this cream, let any dive shop or retail outlet that supplies it know how they are endangering their clients and please avoid it at all costs!!!

If you think this is just opinion…please read the email below regarding this product. Written and signed by the world’s leaders in Jellyfish stings, envenomation and the head of DAN. I guess they might know a bit more than someone who makes and sells magic creams?

From: JOHN LIPPMANN
Sent: 03 November 2009
To:
Cc: ‘Lisa Gershwin’; ‘Andrew Jones’; ‘Peter Fenner’; ‘Dr. Kenneth D. Winkel’; somchai.bussarawit; potjaman; lthaikru
Subject: FW: Marketing of Safe Sea in Thailand

We have been following the recent renewed correspondence about the proposed marketing of Safe Sea in Thailand. As you are aware, there are a group of us, including some well-known medical and marine biological jellyfish experts, who have been closely monitoring the situation with dangerous jellyfish in Thailand and we are all very concerned about the introduction of Safe Sea at this point in time.

Let us re-state some important facts:

1. There is definitely at least one variety of potentially lethal box jellyfish found in Thai waters. This includes the Chironex species as well as other chirodropids, currently unidentified, but probably just as venomous . There is absolutely no doubt about this as we have received good photographic evidence of these jellyfish, and have extensive evidence from numerous cases over more than a 20 years of the distinctive scarring caused by the stings of these particular jellyfish.

2. There have been numerous documented deaths caused by jellyfish in Thailand over many years: we currently have an article in print with details of a number of documented deaths and “near-misses”. The death of the Swedish girl last year was certainly not an isolated case, although to date it was the one that received the broadest media attention. We also have a steadily increasing number of case reports of life-threatening stings, including those with permanent scarring as well as those producing Irukandji syndrome.

3. Substantial experience from northern Australia over many years has shown the importance of effective prevention strategies. To date these have included the wearing of protective clothing, suitable netting, appropriate signage and education. As a result, despite the presence of large numbers of dangerous jellyfish at certain times of the year, there are very few serious stings.

4. The Safe Sea may have been shown to be an effective barrier to the stings of certain species of jellyfish. However, it appears that there is absolutely no evidence that it is effective in the prevention of stings from life-threatening box-type jellyfish, especially Chironex.

5. We are further concerned that even if Safe Sea should someday be demonstrated to be “as effective” for Chironex-type box jellyfish as it claims for other species (i.e., 75% efficacy, in reducing the frequency and severity of stings), this is still unacceptably high for otherwise unprotected exposure to lethal species.

In light of the above, we consider it to be irresponsible and dangerous to promote an unproven product in an area where the consequences of using the product could prove fatal. It is likely that tourists and Thai locals would be lulled into what could well be a false sense of security by using Safe Sea instead of taking preventative measures that have proven to be effective. Severe stings or deaths occurring without added protection of these preventative measures we suggest could have ongoing consequences.

Receiving FDA approval from Thailand does not indicate that the product is effective against Chironex-type box jellyfish stings and can be misleading in this context.

For all the above reasons we implore you to refrain from marketing Safe Sea in Thailand until such time that it has been independently demonstrated to be effective against the potentially lethal species found there and it is established that this product effectively prevents envenomation when interacting with these species.

Sincerely,

John Lippmann OAM Dr. Lisa-ann Gershwin Dr Peter Fenner AM
Executive Director Director MD (London), DRCOG, FACTM, FRCGP
DIVERS ALERT NETWORK (DAN) ASIA-PACIFIC Australian Marine Stinger Australian Marine Stinger Expert and author
PO Box 384 (49A Karnak Rd) Advisory Services
Ashburton VIC 3147
Australia Dr Ken Winkel Andrew Jones
Tel: +61-3-9886 9166; Fax: +61-3-9886 9155 Director Father of jellyfish sting survivor
www.danasiapacific.org Australian Venom Research Unit

Please feel free to contact us, DAN or any of the above with questions regarding this and other products promising to “prevent jellyfish stings”

-Similan Diving

Flying Fish Diving

Now open and ready to serve your needs!

Flying Fish Diving

Your new Favorite Similan Divers!

Our Khao Lak dive school teaches all PADI scuba diving courses from Open Water Diver (beginner) to Instructor and a variety of Specialty diver lessons using the PADI system of diver education and their latest training materials.

You or your group gets your personal dive instructor. He/she will take as much time as necessary to insure that everybody gets the best training possible. We want people to have a fun class and a good time rather than pushing them through. All our scuba dive instructors have several years of teaching experience.

Our courses are conducted in  Khao Lak and on the Similan Islands

We teach in several languages.

Come join us for a world-class adventure

The economics of Thailand

Statistics

• GDP: US$176.3 billion (2005).
• Main exports: Rice, food and live animals, office equipment, textiles and clothing.
• Main imports: Cars, machinery and electrical machinery, and plastics.
• Main trade partners: USA, Japan, China (PR), Singapore and Malaysia.

Economy

The Thai economy expanded very rapidly during the 1980s and early to mid 1990s; average annual GDP growth between 1990 and 1996 was 8.5%. The economy was already slowing down when the Asian currency crisis struck in the late summer of 1997. In 1998, the economy contracted by 11%. After a strong initial recovery, the Thai economy stuttered in 2001/2 following 9/11, and in 2003 suffered because of the reaction to SARS, the war in Iraq and fears of terrorism.

Steady growth in 2004, because of domestic demand and strong exports, gave the economy resilience to the outbreak of Avian influenza and soaring oil prices and growth had recovered to 6.1%. However, following the tsunami in December 2004, growth slowed to 4.3% in 2005. The inflation rate is 4.4% with unemployment down to 1.8%.

Following the financial collapse in 1997 the government launched the Amazing Thailand campaign which increased tourist arrivals dramatically, all keen to take advantage of the favorable exchange rate. Arrival numbers peaked in 2002 but were down by 10% in 2003 with the occurrence of SARS. However, visitor numbers have improved steadily and were more than 13 million in 2005, over 2 million more than 2002.

Business Etiquette

Most people in senior management speak English but in very small companies, or those situated outside the industrial belt of Bangkok, English is not as widely spoken. Most businesses of substantial size prefer visitors to make appointments. Business cards are essential. Punctuality is advisable.

Office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1700.

Government office hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1200 and 1300-1630.

Commercial Information

Department of Export Promotion
22/77 Rachadapisek Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
Tel: (2) 511 5066.
Website: www.thaitrade.com

Thai Chamber of Commerce
150 Rajbopit Road, 2146, 10200 Bangkok, Thailand
Tel: (2) 622 1860.
Website: www.thaiechamber.com

Thailand Incentive and Convention Association (TICA) (Information on Conferences/Conventions)
99/7 The Legacy Vipawadee Building, Soi Lardprao 8, Lardyao, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
Tel: (2) 938 6590.
Website: www.tica.or.th

Conferences & Conventions

The Thailand Incentive and Convention Association was established to aid the growth of Thailand as a destination for meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions. Members include tour operators, hotels, airlines, advertising agencies, lawyers, convention centers, convention organizers and local attractions. Bangkok has the two largest venues for conferences and exhibitions – the Bangkok Convention Center and the Impact Muong Thong Thani Exhibition and Convention Center. There are also many other venues (including hotels) in Bangkok and elsewhere.

Dive Perhentian Islands

How to travel around Thailand

Getting Around Thailand

Getting Around Thailand By Air

Thai Airways International (TG) (website: www.thaiairways.com) runs services to all major towns, using a total of 12 airports including Phuket and Chiang Mai. Bangkok Airways (PG) (website: www.bangkokair.com) flies several additional routes including Ko Samui. Discounts are available in off-peak seasons and during special promotional periods. PB Air (website: www.pbair.com) and Nok Air (website: www.nokair.co.th) and Air Asia (www.airasia.com) also fly domestically.

Getting Around Thailand by Water

Thailand has, depending on the season, up to 1,600km (1,000 miles) of navigable inland waterway. Services operate along the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok between Rajburana and Nonthaburi by taxi-boat ferries operated by the Chao Phraya Express Boat (tel: (02) 623 6143; website: www.chaophrayaboat.co.th). In addition long-tailed motorboats ply the river.

Ferry services operate between the mainland and several islands including Surat Thani to Ko Samui, Phuket to Phi Phi and Trat to Ko Chang and can be booked in person at the dock. Strong competition on all of the major routes ensures that fares are kept low. Reduced services operate during the monsoon season from May through to October along the east coast and Andaman coast, and from November until January on the Gulf coast. The more remote spots become inaccessible in these periods.

Getting Around Thailand by Rail

The excellent railway network extends over 4,600km (2,860 miles), linking all major towns with the exception of Phuket. It is run by State Railways of Thailand (tel: (02) 222 0175; website: www.thailandrailway.com). There are four main routes to the northern, eastern, southern and northeastern regions, and also a line serving Thon Buri, River Kwai Bridge and Nam Tok.

There are several daily services on each route, with air-conditioned, sleeping and restaurant cars on the principal trains. The journeys are leisurely and comfortable, and traveling by train is certainly one of the best ways to get around the country. The Southern Line Express stops at Surat Thani for those who wish to continue by bus and ferry to the islands off the east coast. Most railway timetables are published in English.

Rail Passes

Thailand Rail Pass: available for 20 days travel in second or third class.

Getting Around Thailand by Road

There is a reasonable road network comprising many highways, designated by numbers, and 52,000km (32,300 miles) of national and provincial roads. All major roads are paved. Traffic drives on the left.

Coach: There are inter-urban routes to all provinces. Fares are very cheap and buses very crowded. Privately owned air-conditioned buses (seats bookable) are comfortable and moderately priced. Coaches can be booked in person at the bus stations.

Car hire: Available in all main towns and cities from both international and local companies.

Regulations: The minimum age for driving in Thailand is 21 years and the wearing of seat belts is compulsory. The speed limit is 60kph (35mph) in towns and cities and 90 to 100kph (52 to 60mph) on expressways and country roads.

Documentation: A national licence and International Driving Permit (IDP) are required. IDPs are valid for three months, after which a Thai driving licence is required.

Getting Around the Towns and Cities of Thailand

Conventional bus services in Bangkok are operated by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority, but there are also extensive private minibus operations. Premium fares are charged for air-conditioned (cream and blue buses) and express buses. The ordinary buses are cream and red or white and blue and charge a flat rate regardless of distance travelled. Fares are generally low and are collected by conductors.

In Bangkok, taxis displaying the TAXI-METER sign are metered. Samlors or tuk-tuks are three-wheeled taxis without a meter; the fare must be negotiated before the journey commences. These are cheaper than taxis but are only suitable for short distances.

There are express, rapid and ordinary motorboat services on the Chao Phraya River between Nonthaburi pier to the north of Bangkok to Rajburana pier in southern Bangkok. The express boats, marked with a yellow flag, are more expensive than the rapid orange flag flying boats. The ordinary flagless boats are the cheapest.

The Skytrain (BTS), an elevated mass transit system in Bangkok, runs from 0600-2400. The Metro runs from Hualamphong to Bang Sue. Trains leave every five to seven minutes between 0600 and 2400.

Chiang Mai public transport is limited to red minibuses (songtaews), tuk-tuks and rickshaws, although taxis with meters have now been introduced.

Dive Perhentian Islands

What to do while visiting Bangkok?

Entertainment in Bangkok

Food and Drink

There are many Asian and European restaurants. Thai food is hot and spicy, but most tourist restaurants tone down the food for Western palates. Most Thai food is prepared with fresh ingredients and lemon grass and coriander are often added to enhance flavours. Rice is commonly eaten with most meals and generally the various dishes ordered are shared by all the diners. Excellent food can be found at the stalls of the many street vendors around the country. Popular fruits are papaya, jackfruit, mangosteens, rambutans, pomelos (similar to grapefruits) and, above all, durians, which farangs (foreigners) either love or hate. Owing to the strong smell of durians, the majority of hotels do not allow them onto the premises.

Things to know: Bars have counter or table service. There are no licensing laws.

National specialities:
• Tom yam (a coconut-milk soup prepared with makroot leaves, ginger, lemon grass, prawns or chicken).
• Gang pet (hot ’red’ curry with coconut milk, herbs, garlic, chillies, shrimp paste, coriander and seasoning) served with rice.
• Pad Thai (stir-fried rice-noodles) served with shrimp or chicken garnished with peanuts.
• Desserts include salim (sweet noodles in coconut milk).
• Well worth trying is sticky rice and mangoes (rice cooked in coconut milk served with slices of mango). This is a favorite breakfast dish in the mango harvest season (March to May).

National drinks:
• Local whisky, Mekhong and rum SamSong are very popular.
• Singha and Singha Gold are locally made beers which dominate the domestic market.
• Coconut milk straight from the shell during the harvest season is particularly refreshing in the heat and humidity.

Legal drinking age: The post-coup government has proposed raising the legal drinking age from 18 to 20.

Tipping: Most hotels and restaurants will add 10% service charge and 7% government tax to the bill.

Nightlife in Bangkok

Bangkok offers a wide range of entertainment venues, from nightclubs, pubs, bars, cinemas and restaurants (many of which are open air), to massage parlors, pool halls and cocktail lounges. The nightlife is concentrated in two districts of Bangkok – Patpong (between Silom and Surawong roads) and Soi Cowboy (Sukhumvit Road) and every night both areas are thronged with people. Bangkok’s sex industry is as blatant and booming as ever.

Many venues are open all day and late into the night, although bars and clubs are supposed to close at 0200. Sometimes there is an admission fee but this usually includes one or two drinks. The dress code is very relaxed, although a few of the nightclubs do enforce smarter dress. There are no casinos in Thailand as gambling is illegal.

Performances of traditional religious and court dances can be seen at the Thailand Cultural Center and Patravadi Theater in Bangkok. Elsewhere on the mainland, nightlife takes the form of traditional dances. The islands are renowned for their nightlife, and attendance is almost exclusively by foreigners. The full moon parties are notorious and continue well into the following morning. Performances of the infamous katoeys (lady boys) are worth a visit, with the most famous at the Calypso Cabaret in the Asia Hotel in Bangkok.

Shopping in Bangkok

Thailand is one of the best places in Asia for bargain hunting and visitors will be spoilt for choice with the huge, glitzy shopping malls, department stores, small shops and bustling street markets. Both Bangkok and Chiang Mai have excellent night markets. Good buys include Thai silks and cottons, leather goods, batiks, silver and gold, pottery with celadon green glaze, precious and semiprecious stones (in particular rubies and sapphires are indigenous to Thailand), pearls, dolls, masks, painted umbrellas, lacquerware, pewterware, bamboo and wood artifacts and bronzeware. The weekend market at Chatuchuk in Bangkok is a regular cornucopia with hundreds of stalls stocking items ranging from genuine antiques to fighting fish. Tailor-made clothes are also good value and can be made in a matter of days, yet the standard is very high.

Duty-free shops are located throughout the country and items can be purchased there and delivered to the airport in time for the departure flight. Value Added Tax (7%) can be refunded on goods bought in shops labeled ’VAT Refund for Tourists’, where there is a minimum transaction of ฿2,000 including VAT. VAT Refund Application for Tourists forms are completed at the time of purchase and it is necessary to show one’s passport. Cash refunds (minimum ฿5,000) can be obtained in the airport departure hall and often the goods purchased must also be shown. Shopping hours: Mon-Sun 1000-2100/2200.

Dive Perhentian Islands

Banks and Currency Exchange in Bangkok

Currency

Baht (THB; symbol ฿) = 100 satang. Notes are in denominations of ฿1,000, 500, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of ฿10, 5 and 1, and 50 and 25 satang.

Currency Exchange

Foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks (which have the best rates), hotels (which charge high commissions) and, in larger towns, bureaux de change (generally open 0800-2000). Outside large towns and tourist areas, notes higher than ฿500 may be difficult to exchange, so visitors are advised to carry small change.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs

American Express, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted. ATMs are found in all major cities and almost all provincial banks.

Traveler’s Cheques

Accepted by all banks and large hotels and shops. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take traveler’s cheques in US Dollars, Euros or Pounds Sterling.

Banking Hours

Mon-Fri 0830-1530.

Duty Free

Overview

The following goods may be imported into Thailand without incurring customs duty by any person, irrespective of age:

• 200 cigarettes or 250g of tobacco or equal weight of cigars.
• 1l of alcoholic liquor.

Prohibited Imports

There are restrictions on the import and export of illegal drugs and all firearms and ammunition, and the export of items of archaeological interest or historical value, without a certificate of authorization from the Department of Fine Arts in Thailand. The export of images of the Buddha and other religious artifacts is also subject to this ruling. Radio transceiver equipment, plant and living materials, live animals or products, medicines and chemicals also require a permit from the relevant government agency.

Warning: Any drug-related offenses are severely punished and may result in life imprisonment or even the death penalty.

Dive Perhentian Islands

Bangkok Airport – Information

Bangkok Airport General Info:

Address: Bang Phli, Samutprakarn, 10540 Bangkok, Thailand
Location: The airport is located in Racha Thewa in the Bang Phli district of Samut Prakan province, 30km (18.5 miles) east of Bangkok
Website:
E-mail: aotpr@airportthai.co.th
Telephone: (0)2 132 1888
Country Code: 66
Time Zone: GMT + 7
Number of Terminals: 1 (The Domestic and International terminals are located in the same building. There are plans for the construction of a second terminal building for low-cost airlines.)

Bangkok Airport Help Desk:
There are information counters on the departure level (tel: (0)2 132 9324/5/6/7) and just outside the luggage pick-up area on the arrival level (tel: (0)2 132 9328/9).

Bangkok Airport Disabled Facilities:
Facilities and arrangements for disabled travellers are in place, but the airport’s designers have been criticised for not making the airport sufficiently accessible for disabled people. For example, it has been argued that the restrooms designed for people with special needs are not spacious enough for wheelchair users.

Bangkok Airport Facilities
Money and communications: Bureaux de change are located in the Arrivals hall on level 2. There are ATMs in several places throughout the terminal building. Public telephones are available on all levels. Eating and drinking: There are plenty of restaurants, food outlets and bars in the terminal building, on level 1, 2, 3 and 6. In addition, there are four restaurants and two bars in the airport hotel nearby. Shopping: Shops selling everything from freshly cut flowers to designer clothing are available on levels 2, 3 and 4 of the terminal building. Duty free shops are on the departures level (level 4). Luggage: Luggage trolleys are available in the Arrivals and Departures halls. Lost and found services can be reached on (0)2 134 221. Other facilities: A wide variety of facilities are available in the terminal building, including traditional Thai massage and luxurious spa facilities. The Airport Medical Center is available on (0)2 132 7777. Airline lounges are located on level 3, some of which offer first class and business travellers luxury spa and massage rooms, a fine-dining area, slumber rooms with full-size flat beds, a business centre, a host of private meeting rooms, state-of-the-art video and visual entertainment rooms, shower rooms, deluxe seating areas and built-in check-in facilities.

Renting A car at Bangkok Airport
Car rental service counters can be found at the Arrivals level. Travellers can book their rental car there and take the airport shuttle bus express route to the Transport Center, where the car can be picked up. Car rental services at the airport are provided by international and local operators.

Driving to Bangkok Airport
Road access to the airport is provided by five new highways connected to Bangkok’s outer ring road. The main access road (and the most convenient route) is an elevated two-by-five lane road going north from the passenger terminal to the new Bangkok-Chonburi Expressway.

Car, Taxi or Public Bus To Bangkok Airport
Driving by taxi or bus from the airport to downtown Bangkok takes around 50 minutes. Road: Taxi: Public taxis can be found on Level 2 (Arrivals). Alternatively, travellers can take a complimentary airport shuttle bus to the Transport Center taxi stand. Limousine: To get a limousine, travellers should contact the Limousine Service Counter at the Arrivals level (second floor). The limousine pick-up area is by the outer curb on the Arrivals level. Six types of limousine are on offer with a total of 380 cars available around the clock. Bus: Public bus service is provided from the bus terminal at the airport’s Transport Center (which can be reached by taking a free airport shuttle bus). Public buses depart frequently to Bangkok and the surrounding area. Buses go to Minburi (no. 549), Happy Land (no. 550), Victory Monument (no. 551), On Nut BTS station (no. 552), Samut Prakan (no. 553) and Don Muang Airport (no. 554). In addition, Airport Express provides air-conditioned bus services between Suvarnabhumi Airport and Bangkok hotels, operating four bus routes to downtown Bangkok. The pick-up area for buses is by the inner curb on level 2 (Arrivals), while the drop-off area is by the inner curb on level 4 (Departures). Rail: Work on a city airport terminal in Makkasan and a 28.5km (17.5 miles) high-speed rail link to the new airport started in July 2005 and is due for completion by early 2008(now 2010!). When operational, the high-speed link is expected to take travellers from city to airport in 15 minutes.

Bangkok Airport Hotels:
The 612-room Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel (tel: (0)2 131 1111) is the airport’s official hotel. It is located in front of the passenger terminal building and connected to it by a 300m (328 yards), air-conditioned underground walkway. The hotel is situated straight above the underground rail station that upon completion (expected in early 2008) will be connected to the city of Bangkok by a high-speed rail link. Hotel Ibis Huamark Bangkok (tel: (0)2 308 7888), Avana Bangkok Hotel (tel: (0)2 744 4280), Royal Princess Srinakarin (tel: (0)2 721 8400) and Kanary House (tel: (0)2 374 5544) are some hotels that are located within 30 minutes from the airport.

Thailand Dive sites – east of eden

As part of our site development and growth – we have moved these dive site descriptions over to the main site…

Similan Island Dive sites – Elephant Head Rock AKA Hin PusarIf you have any questions or concerns – please fell free to contact us

Elephant Head Rock is part of the itinerary for our Similan Islands Liveaboard North Tours

Between islands seven and eight lies Elephant Head Rock – or ‘Hin Pusa’.

A beautiful collection of submerged boulders, ranging from large slabs of rock to smaller stones. The relative isolation of the site between Islands 7 & 8 leaves it open to strong cross currents.

Conditions permitting drop down on the south side between the two large rocks which the break the surface. Stay close to the rocks until the strength and direction of the current has been gauged, and if necessary use the boulders as shelter. The south side of the dive site drops along a series of rock plateaus to a graduating sandy bottom which starts at about 30 meters and goes deeper – more than 50 Meters.
Keep the boulders on your left and work eastwards. Look beneath rocks for lobsters and large rays. A large channel can provide a good introduction to the dive, which sits at around 18 meters. Follow the opening through and then turn left into a smaller series of swim-throughs which bring you towards the north of the dive site.

If you skip the swim-throughs and head outside the site (rather than through) you will find some big fish hunting. Also spend some time looking for Frogfish, Flabellinas and other little stuff. You will be surprised by all that you find.
Conditions permitting continue swimming out towards the Northern-outer edge of the dive site over a sandy plateau where large White tips, Grey and Black tip reef sharks can sometimes be seen.

Turn back towards the rocks shallowing up to around 12 meters, where some inviting swim through bring you towards the center of the dive site characterised by smaller rocks and many small fish. Oriental and Harlequin sweetlips can often be found in the swim through as can larger groupers.

Also keep an eye open for some weird and wonderful nudibranches and in particular for flabbelina’s. Octopus, sea snakes and cuttlefish can also be found amongst the dead coral. Head south and you should come to an opening which begins at 12 meters and extends south to around 6 meters, where the current usually gains force. Beneath the large rock to your left is a long crack. Use a torch to look for baby white tip reef sharks. This can be a good place to end the dive, swimming back out to the north-east during the safety stop for one final look for Sharks, Rays, Giant Trevally and Great Barracuda.

Similan Diving

Similan Islands

Surin Islands

Similan Scuba

Thailand has one of the world’s most diverse marine habitats, with more than 300 major reef groups covering an area of over 4,500 square miles. From pinnacles and submerged rocks, through to stunning coral gardens and sheer walls, the scuba diving in Thailand has something to offer scuba divers of all levels of experience. It is this diversity in marine habitats and diving environments which attracts so many divers to the waters around Thailand every year, and today the region is one of the world’s most popular scuba diving destinations.

There are a number of major diving destinations in Thailand, all offering a wide selection of diverse dive sites. Throughout all of these major destinations is a network of well equipped, knowledgeable and experienced dive centers, offering a range of diving from leisure dives through to a selection of scuba diving courses.

It would be impossible to discuss Thailand, without looking at the scuba diving in Khao Lak and the nearby Khao Lak with the surrounding areas. Without doubt, the diving from Khao Lak is of the highest standard, and the surrounding dive sites host a plethora of great diving. Similan Islands Scuba Diving is frequently listed as one of the ten best diving opportunities on earth. The are also underwater treasures that lie slightly further afield. Dive sites such as the Burma Banks, The Surin Islands and the Mergui Archipelago are often found high on the wish list of many discerning scuba diver and offer some of South East Asia’s finest dive sites.

The scuba diving on the Western Gulf of Thailand sees a different emphasis, and the small islands found here have become one of the world’s most popular areas to learn to scuba dive. In fact, the island of Koh Tao has developed a complete tourist industry from introducing people to scuba diving, and today large numbers of would be scuba divers travel to o Koh Tao every day to begin their diving education. Other islands within the Western Gulf of Thailand are also home to developed scuba diving industries, and destinations such as Koh Samui and Ko Pha-Ngan are both home to a large number of dive centers and divers. However the dive sites are very overwhelmed and the diving here is often referred to as “champagne diving” – all bubbles.

Throughout Thailand there are a number of exceptional dive sites, and sites such as the Richelieu Rock and Shark fin Reef are widely acknowledged as being world class dive sites. However it is the sheer volume of excellent dive sites that makes Thailand such a popular destination. Destinations such as Koh Lipe Krabi, Phi Phi and the Surin Islands are all home to a number of exceptional dive sites and dive centers. For a good reference try the Best Dive Sites in Thailand.

Today, Thailand is one of the world’s most popular scuba diving destinations, and large numbers of scuba divers travel long distances to dive in the waters surrounding this stunning country. The sheer diversity of the diving on offer here ensures that there is something to cater for all tastes and levels of experience. From vertical wrecks, through to submerged pinnacles, from the largest sharks, through to the smallest nudibranches, the diving in Thailand has something for everyone.