good dive centers Koh Phangan
- Thread starter h90
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h90,
Looks like you got your answers on Thaivisa already, Phangan isn't that big!
Looks like you got your answers on Thaivisa already, Phangan isn't that big!
limbo:
not really. Can't be true that I can get a bus from BKK to Pattaya, get a boat out to the islands or wreck, lunch, 2 dives and pay 1300 Baht everything together, but pay for Koh Phangan 2500.
Sure in Koh Phangan are also prices for locals and for foreigner ripp off prices and I still search for the real ones. For Pattaya I also needed 2 years to find it out.
h90:
Only two years
Mind to share where it's so cheap in PTY? How are the tank fills, ever try to clean your reg afterwards?
Why are you so convinced that on KP thee are so many Thais diving?
Prices look reasonable to me, considering what we charge on Samui in order to go to the same dive sites.
the last times we dived, where do you think we got the tanks(private)?
The drivers of the so called farang (means western foreigners) diving companies brought us some of these diving companies which do not give tanks for rent.
Many of the foreign companies (and it seems as well you), try to discredit the Thai companies, for poor safety, bad equipment and dirty.
In fact thats not true, some are really perfect and a lot of the foreigner companies have these zero to hero divemasters/instructors who are zero interested in making a good job, or these alcoholism instructors who run away from at home.
While for half the money you can get a Thai Doctor.
The drivers of the so called farang (means western foreigners) diving companies brought us some of these diving companies which do not give tanks for rent.
Many of the foreign companies (and it seems as well you), try to discredit the Thai companies, for poor safety, bad equipment and dirty.
In fact thats not true, some are really perfect and a lot of the foreigner companies have these zero to hero divemasters/instructors who are zero interested in making a good job, or these alcoholism instructors who run away from at home.
While for half the money you can get a Thai Doctor.
limbo:Only two years
Mind to share where it's so cheap in PTY? How are the tank fills, ever try to clean your reg afterwards?
Why are you so convinced that on KP thee are so many Thais diving?
Prices look reasonable to me, considering what we charge on Samui in order to go to the same dive sites.
h90,
Hold your breath, nowhere do I try to discredit Thai owned diving companies, although the only time I did dive on a Thai owned and run dive boat from PTY, I did need to service my regulator, since it was black on the inside.
Funnily enough, that never ever happened on any of the other dives I have ever done in Thailand over a 10+ year period.
I'm sure there's well run and reputable Thai owned dive centers in Thailand, I've no problems with that.
I'm just a bit baffled with your dedication to find the cheapest rates around. A lot of times cheap does not go well together with safe.
Hold your breath, nowhere do I try to discredit Thai owned diving companies, although the only time I did dive on a Thai owned and run dive boat from PTY, I did need to service my regulator, since it was black on the inside.
Funnily enough, that never ever happened on any of the other dives I have ever done in Thailand over a 10+ year period.
I'm sure there's well run and reputable Thai owned dive centers in Thailand, I've no problems with that.
I'm just a bit baffled with your dedication to find the cheapest rates around. A lot of times cheap does not go well together with safe.
sorry didn't want to sound rude!
Many foreign companies try to tell in an indirect way that you are at risk with an Thai owned company.
Expensive also does not mean automatic that something is safe.
Maybe 8 month ago I wanted to go diving with a friend (he has a big boat), we thought that we just borrow the tanks from the next dive shop. And belive it or not, nearly no shop gives tanks for rent. And thats for sure not a safety thing (for safety it would be for example that they only give for Divemaster or only if you have at least xxx loged dives), it is just a make money thing, because diving without them is loosing a customer.
Of course I know that everyone needs to earn his living, but in many places in Thailand it gets far to commercial the fun is gone. The dive center is not your friend anymore.
Where is that now: "Whats here on the beach? Nothing, but here take the tank and have a look. How much for the tank? Nothing, but if you see me on the evening pay me a beer."
That has complete disappeared. Instead you have that smart salesguys with the charming of an italien secondhand-car-salesguy, all have the biggest boat, hottest shower coolest classroom.
I haven't been in Koh Phangan yet, so I don't know if it is there in that manner, but in Pattaya it is.
I don't need a shower on a boat or a foreign handsome Instructor who can talk 5 languages, instead I prefer to go 10 times diving instead of finishing my money after 3 times.
Many foreign companies try to tell in an indirect way that you are at risk with an Thai owned company.
Expensive also does not mean automatic that something is safe.
Maybe 8 month ago I wanted to go diving with a friend (he has a big boat), we thought that we just borrow the tanks from the next dive shop. And belive it or not, nearly no shop gives tanks for rent. And thats for sure not a safety thing (for safety it would be for example that they only give for Divemaster or only if you have at least xxx loged dives), it is just a make money thing, because diving without them is loosing a customer.
Of course I know that everyone needs to earn his living, but in many places in Thailand it gets far to commercial the fun is gone. The dive center is not your friend anymore.
Where is that now: "Whats here on the beach? Nothing, but here take the tank and have a look. How much for the tank? Nothing, but if you see me on the evening pay me a beer."
That has complete disappeared. Instead you have that smart salesguys with the charming of an italien secondhand-car-salesguy, all have the biggest boat, hottest shower coolest classroom.
I haven't been in Koh Phangan yet, so I don't know if it is there in that manner, but in Pattaya it is.
I don't need a shower on a boat or a foreign handsome Instructor who can talk 5 languages, instead I prefer to go 10 times diving instead of finishing my money after 3 times.
Hi Michael,
No sweat.
I hear you. I think the problem you're facing is inherent with the development of places in Thailand (or the world over, for that matter) like Pattaya, Samui or Phuket.
From our point of view, as a dive operator, if we don't provide a shower on the boat, people complain. Trips from Samui are around 2 hours each way, so it also nice to be able to take that shower after the dive! Just my two satang worth.
People in general are looking for more quality and service compared to let's say ten years ago.
As for the guy who can speak 5 languages, besides English, Irish, North American, Australian and Kiwi, it's a god send gift for any dive shop in a resort settings like Thailand has, especially if he has a good attitude!
Don't like that Italian second car salesman approach neither and most surely it does happen here. Not too sure if they have conquered Koh Phangan yet, doubt it tho.
Good luck for with your search of Holy Dive Grail though.
No sweat.
I hear you. I think the problem you're facing is inherent with the development of places in Thailand (or the world over, for that matter) like Pattaya, Samui or Phuket.
From our point of view, as a dive operator, if we don't provide a shower on the boat, people complain. Trips from Samui are around 2 hours each way, so it also nice to be able to take that shower after the dive! Just my two satang worth.
People in general are looking for more quality and service compared to let's say ten years ago.
As for the guy who can speak 5 languages, besides English, Irish, North American, Australian and Kiwi, it's a god send gift for any dive shop in a resort settings like Thailand has, especially if he has a good attitude!
Don't like that Italian second car salesman approach neither and most surely it does happen here. Not too sure if they have conquered Koh Phangan yet, doubt it tho.
Good luck for with your search of Holy Dive Grail though.
Ringo
Contributor
limbo:
Yup, finding good Instructors with many languages are undoubtedly invaluable. At the moment we manage to cover 7 languages inc Thai and it is still not enough for the high season demand.
One way you can possibly save some cash on phag ghan is via cheaper accomidation then put the money towards the diving.
I agree that its very difficult if not impossible to get diving for under say 1000bht per tank.
But the reality is Fuel prices have gone up,staff are now required to have more expensive visa and work permit etc etc.
Another alternative is sporttime divers in bangkok,Thai owned and often has short liveaboards out of Chumporn around Tao phangghan,I also hear that the prices are good.In one hit you have travel accomidation diving and normally decent Thai company,not a single smooth talking saleman in Site....
all the best and enjoy your diving.
I agree that its very difficult if not impossible to get diving for under say 1000bht per tank.
But the reality is Fuel prices have gone up,staff are now required to have more expensive visa and work permit etc etc.
Another alternative is sporttime divers in bangkok,Thai owned and often has short liveaboards out of Chumporn around Tao phangghan,I also hear that the prices are good.In one hit you have travel accomidation diving and normally decent Thai company,not a single smooth talking saleman in Site....
all the best and enjoy your diving.
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