steve_r0binson
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How much is the going rate for a DM in phuket ? I am thinking of taking my DM course then getting more experience and working as a DM.
Dive master wages
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Not a heck of a lot. I would imagine around $US300 a month (according to one friend on Koh Samui). Granted that you can live on $300 a month in Thailand (many locals do, but it is not exactly comfortable). Beside, a job as DM is not easy to come by as there are many many dive centers around the country that produce DM by the dozens. Many shops also hire foreign DM illegally (and often it is the only way to get a job as DM here) so there is always a risk of deportation. I heard that a few months ago, immigration swept through Koh Tao and deported DMs by the bus load.
Personally most locals only work as DM/dive guide/instuctor part time as it is difficult to find legitimate full time position in this field and still make decent money (in comparison to many other jobs, unless you have your own dive operations).
Of course may be I am wrong here as Koh Tao, Similans etc seem to be overrun by divers/DMs etc. Just have no idea how they all manage to survive on the kind of salary they make.
Personally most locals only work as DM/dive guide/instuctor part time as it is difficult to find legitimate full time position in this field and still make decent money (in comparison to many other jobs, unless you have your own dive operations).
Of course may be I am wrong here as Koh Tao, Similans etc seem to be overrun by divers/DMs etc. Just have no idea how they all manage to survive on the kind of salary they make.
OP
steve_r0binson
Guest
I think i'll stay at my desk in london and visit to get my cert. Are you based in Phuket? if so whats the weather like today. It say's 80 something but cloudy !
I live in Bangkok. I am sure whatever the condition is in Phuket, it is a lot warmer than England currently. Did not want to make sound so discouraging but the reality I think that most people who comes over to do DM course and hope to find work here are usually one who already have some saving and just want to stay here and dive for a few to several months and using the income to supplement whatever they already have. I think it would not be a good idea to hope to get a job and depends entirely on the salary.
You're looking at in the region of 15-18 thousand baht, depebnds on where you are but it's very easy to live on that in thailand as long as you look for cheap accom... most dive centres will know where and as long as you avoid tourist restaurants and 'eat local' I got by on 200 baht a day for food... booze n fags are also very cheap!!
OP
steve_r0binson
Guest
Did you stay near Kata
stevenl
Contributor
Hi Steven,
Most DM's here work free lance, and they earn about 800 Baht a day, provided of course there is work. And work for a DM is not easy, since most operators will prefer to hire an instructor for the same money over a divemaster.
On liveaboards divemasters are more wanted, but also there: if possible they will hire an instructor.
And if you find a job, you will most probably be working without a work permit, so if you're caught, you get a fine the first time, the second time you're deported and can't come back any more.
So in gereal: don't count on work as a DM.
If you want to stay for a longer period, I would recommend to stay in Chalong, it is cheaper than Kata. You kan stay for as cheap as 3000 Baht a month in Chalong. Chalong it not as nice, but it is the place from where the boats leave, so can be quite convenient.
Most DM's here work free lance, and they earn about 800 Baht a day, provided of course there is work. And work for a DM is not easy, since most operators will prefer to hire an instructor for the same money over a divemaster.
On liveaboards divemasters are more wanted, but also there: if possible they will hire an instructor.
And if you find a job, you will most probably be working without a work permit, so if you're caught, you get a fine the first time, the second time you're deported and can't come back any more.
So in gereal: don't count on work as a DM.
If you want to stay for a longer period, I would recommend to stay in Chalong, it is cheaper than Kata. You kan stay for as cheap as 3000 Baht a month in Chalong. Chalong it not as nice, but it is the place from where the boats leave, so can be quite convenient.
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