Myanmar diving departing from Bangkok?

[Splint]

Hi,

it seems most livaboard trips depart from the Phuket area. I am considering a trip to Bangkok and want to know if it's possible to get directly from Bangkok to a dive location or livaboard in the Myanmar area. I'd prefer not to bother flying down to Phuket to depart for a trip and then have to fly back to Bangkok. I guess my other dive option near Bangers is Pattaya, but the diving isn't as nice there.

Thanks
Splint

 

[lemon]

You could take a bus direct from BKK to Ranong. Some liveaboards leave for Burma from there.

 

[stevenl]

Yes, go straight to Ranong. Most boats will leave from there, even from the ones based on Phuket.

 

[Divehappy]

...although the bus from Bangkok to Ranong will take at least 10 hours if not longer - probably overnight. It'll be a cheap but not particularly comfortable ride. Buses depart from the Southern Bus Terminal in BKK for around 600 Baht

AirAsia.com do cheap flights to Ranong from BKK but not on a daily basis.

To be honest, to keep it hassle free and quicker, I'd say get a cheap flight with AirAsia.com to Phuket ( 1 hour flight) and get the liveaboard to pick you up from the airport. (1 hour or less drive to boat). It's easier despite Ranong being geographically closer to BKK.

I'm off to Burma myself in January on the MV Jazz - I was there this January and it was great, looking forward to doing it again. I had to get from BKK to Ranong to join the trip - it was a major pain in the backside.

Cheers
Chris

 

[stevenl]

(1 hour or less drive to boat)

If the boat leaves from Tap Lamu (Khao Lak). If it departs from Ranong, add a couple of hours.