DCB,
Pinocchio diver, I don't think so. As you mentioned cabs are a real bargain, why make life difficult. The gear is not the real issue, but rather the timing of getting to the dive boat on a single day outing. I've done the singe day dive outing to Pattaya a few times already.
I agree it is a bargain. I went about 8 weeks ago via local BKK cab round trip. My latest trip was about a month ago. I took the bus to Pattaya and cabbed it back. That was an overnighter. A friend in Pattaya dropped me at one of the "cab stands" and I was able to book a cab back to BKK for 800 baht plus tolls. I made it back in 1.5 hours as we left at about 9pm.
Everyone has different preferences, but getting a ride in the morning and coming back that evening makes diving most manageable with work and other social commitments. Economically speaking, you can't beat the bus. But at 6am haggling with a cab or even finding one is not a pleasant thought. Lugging stuff to the bus station (i.e. walk to BTS) isn't either. To make the dive boat you would have to leave your flat at about 530am to catch a bus that would arrive in time to make the dive boat. If you are willing to spend the night and dive the next day this is a non issue. Hence an other alternative would be nice. Sharing a private ride with another diver or two would be great. As some of us have work commitments and non-diving significant others the day trip to Pattaya scenario is a better option.
AZ
Pinocchio diver, I don't think so. As you mentioned cabs are a real bargain, why make life difficult. The gear is not the real issue, but rather the timing of getting to the dive boat on a single day outing. I've done the singe day dive outing to Pattaya a few times already.
I agree it is a bargain. I went about 8 weeks ago via local BKK cab round trip. My latest trip was about a month ago. I took the bus to Pattaya and cabbed it back. That was an overnighter. A friend in Pattaya dropped me at one of the "cab stands" and I was able to book a cab back to BKK for 800 baht plus tolls. I made it back in 1.5 hours as we left at about 9pm.
Everyone has different preferences, but getting a ride in the morning and coming back that evening makes diving most manageable with work and other social commitments. Economically speaking, you can't beat the bus. But at 6am haggling with a cab or even finding one is not a pleasant thought. Lugging stuff to the bus station (i.e. walk to BTS) isn't either. To make the dive boat you would have to leave your flat at about 530am to catch a bus that would arrive in time to make the dive boat. If you are willing to spend the night and dive the next day this is a non issue. Hence an other alternative would be nice. Sharing a private ride with another diver or two would be great. As some of us have work commitments and non-diving significant others the day trip to Pattaya scenario is a better option.
AZ