Quick trip to Thailand. Where to go?

[joelpat]

I've got a business trip planned for late March/Early April, with enough time for 3 days of diving tacked onto the end.
I got my OW (I'm now AOW/EAD) at Koh Tao, and loved it, but I wonder if getting in and out on my limited schedule/budget will be tough.
I will be traveling alone, so I'm looking for somewhere friendly, but a party scene isn't really important. Good food and nice people is.

Any suggestions?

 

[Quero]

I would recommend a liveabaord to the Similans. You automatically get to be with a group of people with similar interests, have dinner companions, and the "party scene" consists of a couple of beers at the end of the day, and maybe watch a DVD.

 

[joelpat]

Is that realistic for a short trip? I'd be leaving BKK on Friday evening, and need to be back on a plane headed for North America by Tuesday night or Wednesday morning.

I'd just assumed it wasn't enough time for a liveaboard.

 

[stevenl]

That means you could go diving on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. So yes, a liveaboard is an option, provided there are options that go to Ko Tachai and Richelieu Rock in your timeframe. If not, I would prefer daytrips from Phuket to Bida Islands (Phi Phi) and Shark Point area over a 3 day liveaboard to Similans only.

 

[Quero]

Is that realistic for a short trip? I'd be leaving BKK on Friday evening, and need to be back on a plane headed for North America by Tuesday night or Wednesday morning.

I'd just assumed it wasn't enough time for a liveaboard.

Sure, it's possible. You won't do much other than dive, though, if that's an issue.