For those prices how do you get 3 tanks each and still cover the boat fees? Do you lug your own tanks as well? Do you have O2 on board? Is the captain reliable and what kind of surface protection do you have? I'll pay a bit more for not having to lug tanks around and going with a skipper I know and dive with on a regular basis. Having good food I don't have to worry about cooking is also a good thing. Knowing your cost beforehand is also very useful. Your arrangement sounds cheap but a bit fishy IMO. Now I see what is bugging you so much and your reluctance to go more mainstream. If it works for you great but let the diver beware.
Your still welcome to join the BKK Dive outing but it won't be 500-1000 baht. Sorry...
I dont have a reluctance to go 'mainstream', as you call it, and it's not done to save money, this is entirely the result of the poor service we have become so fed up with around Pattaya, it is the only way we can get the diving we want, its just a small group of friends that want to go diving. we dont actively look for others to join us, but if someone wants to come, then fine. Join in and enjoy?
Yes we all have our own equipment, including cylinders and weights now. The price does not include for anything other than the boat ride, and like I said before nobody makes anything out of the deal we just want to go diving.
Its not a regular occurence, just a day out with friends every now and again.
The skipper we usually use is excellent, speaks good english and has some knowledge of diving his self, so him and his boat boy are sufficient for surface cover. Usually 4 or more of us go, if necessary, just stagger the diving, so all of us are not in the water at the same time.
If we feel the need, depending what dives we are doing, we can borrow o2 equipment, but must admit we dont take this every time, we are infact looking at making a joint purchase in the near future.
Should larger groups want to do a similar thing, Larger boats are available in Pattaya that can comfortably take 20+ divers are available for around 4000bt per day to the near islands, and many for a small extra charge can provide food, there are so many options available.
Also at Samae san we can hire a boat for 1500bt to do a 2 dive trip, however this is a small boat and not really suitable for more than 4 divers.