Scuba Diving In Thailand

By Pauline Go

The diving possibilities in Thailand are nearly endless. Thailand is listed as one of the top ten sites for scuba diving and it is not surprising why when one sees the world class scuba diving sites, clean white sandy beaches and crystal clear water. In fact, Thailand is the perfect place for it.

This beautiful country is full of history and culture. The Thais are friendly and hospitable while accommodation possibilities vary from budget to luxurious. There over 50 scuba diving centers located in towns and islands along the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea.

Thailand offers a varied diving environment which ranges from deep underwater mountains to sheer rock formations rising above the sea, from coral gardens located in shallow warm waters to undersea formations created by granite boulders; and from limestone walls plunging deep into the sea to numerous dark caverns.

Thailand is blessed with both hard and soft corals. While diving one can often see large pelagic fish, whale sharks, silver tip sharks and manta rays. Thailand's scuba diving sites never fail to impress the most seasoned diver with its variety and species of tropical fish.

Scuba diving in Thailand takes place all year round. However, the best time of the year for diving in Andaman Sea and other diving sites is from October to June. During this period, the sea is calm and one can travel quite far into the sea in boats to enjoy the unique diving experience that Thailand has to offer.

Diving usually takes place in three areas across Thailand. One is Pattaya, which is quite close to Bangkok; the second place is the islands off the Gulf of Thailand. This includes the islands of Ko Samui and Ko Tao. The last place popular with scuba divers is the west coast of Thailand. Here Phuket, Ko Phi Phi and Krabi offer the best experience in the Andaman Sea.

Travel to Krabi and Phi Phi Islands - Amazing Thailand Attractions

By Siripong T

Krabi is a province of Thailand located in the southern area and has fantastic beaches along the shore plus many wonderful islands. You just can't imagine how beautiful they are. Phi Phi Islands is one of the very famous spots in Krabi that travelers can't miss.

About the weather in Krabi province, there are only two seasons in this region, which is different from other parts of Thailand. The summer season lasts from January to April, and the rainy season lasts from May to December. The temperature is between 16.9 and 37.3 degree Celsius throughout the year.

You can get to Krabi by car or by plane. If you drive there from Bangkok, you go along the highway number 4 through many provinces. The overall distance is approximately 946 kilometers. If you go to Krabi from Phuket, you can use highway number 402 connected to highway number 4 through Pangnga province and Krabi province. The total distance is approximately 185 kilometers. Also, the public transportation companies provide air-conditioned buses for people everyday from Bangkok and Phuket. If you decide to go there by plane from Bangkok airport, it takes about 1 hour and a half to Krabi province.

Diving at Krabi Sea is a very exciting activity that you can't miss. Scuba diving is very popular there. Many diving service companies provide the travelers boat services from Phuket and Phi Phi Don Island. Some famous diving spots are around Phi Phi Islands and King Cruiser shipwreck. Around Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Le Islands, there are many diving spots such as Nui beach, Maya beach, and sea caves. You may rent a small boat called Rue Hang Yao from Phi Phi Don Island to these spots. Bidah Islands and Ha Islands (Ha means five) are also popular diving spots.

Phi Phi Islands is one of the famous islands in Thailand located in Krabi province. The word "Phi Phi" comes from a tree named "Pi-a-pee." In 1983, the government of Thailand announced that Phi Phi Islands became a member of Nopparatthara - Phi Phi Islands national park. This park includes six islands which are Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Le, Bidah Nok, Bidah Nai, Yung and Phai Islands. The distance between Krabi beach and Phi Phi Islands is approximately 42 kilometers.

Lanta Islands is one of the most amazing spots in Krabi. It is located in the far south of the province. In the past, villagers called this islands "Poo-Lao-Sa-Tak" which means the islands with long beaches. Some famous islands are Lanta Yai Islands, Ngai Island, Rok Nai Island and Rok Nok Island. There are a lot of resorts and hotels on the islands. You can go to Lanta Islands from Krabi beach or Phi Phi Islands.

Ao Nang is a place that has wonderful scenario with beautiful beaches such as Rai Le Beach, Tam Pra Nang Beach and Nam Mao Beach. These three beaches cannot be reached by car because they are surrounded by mountains. You can go there by boat from Ao Nang.

How to Travel on a Budget in Asia (2/2)

Food and Drinks:

Eat at food stalls or buy food from food vendors. There are basically food stalls everywhere in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. And in India, you will have no problems in finding cheap restaurants. But be careful when choosing a place to eat -- the hygiene and the way they prepare the food is not always good for your stomach. Check the food before buying. Like, if there are flies swarming around the food -- that should ring a bell.

When it comes to alcoholic beverage, choose local beer (Singha, Chang beer, Lao beer, Angkor beer etc). Like in Thailand, Western-produced beers, like Corona, Budweiser or Guinness cost more because Thailand imports with expensive duty.

Transport:

To save time and money, you should consider asking the staff at the guesthouse or hostel about where you can find cheap transport and how much it should cost. This way you will avoid locals from tricking you. If you avoid scams, you save money!

Instead of using arranged transport with minibuses and VIP buses, I recommend that you take the local transport, like the bus and train. If you plane on moving around in a city you should also consider using a bike. Bicycle rental is usually cheaper than taking the Rickshaws.

Shopping:

Looking for cheap shopping? Where you shop is as important as bargaining. Shopping at the local markets is often cheaper than the huge malls. But have in mind that most of the markets are popular tourist spots, so they're usually crowded. It's usually harder to bargain at these places because the sellers know that if YOU don't buy their products - someone else will.

Bargaining is the key to cheap shopping. But before you do that, I recommend that you stroll around to compare prices. If it's your first time in a foreign country, it's sometimes hard to know what things should cost. You can't bargain for something when you even don't know if it's cheap/expensive.

Another tip is to sell things you don't need any more at street shops, like on Khao San Road or Soi Rambuttri in Bangkok in Thailand.

Money:

Avoid exchanging money at the airports. If you do this, you will get the lowest rate of exchange. Go to a bank instead as they can give you the best exchange rates available.

If you're planning on traveling to several neighboring countries, avoid exchange too much money if you're leaving the country in just a few days. You may not have enough time to spend it.

Communication:

Instead of using your mobile phone for international calls, you should track down a payphone or use Skype at an internet café. To save money on domestic calls, don't use your mobile phone with your original SIM-card. I suggest you buy a local SIM-card. Have the owner from where you bought the card from help you activate the SIM-card.

Tours:

Visiting some attractions? If I were you, I would skip the package tours and rent a bike or a Rickshaw for a day. If you decide to rent a bike, it's cheaper and you get to see the things you want to see in your own pace.

For free information on history and sights, ask the local staff at the guesthouse or a fellow traveler. Otherwise, you can print it out from the internet. A couple of print-outs are cheaper and lightweight than a book. Practical when you're on-the-go!

How to Travel on a Budget in Asia (1/2)

By Amanda Villaruel

One of the best things about backpacking in Asia is how cheap almost everything is - from food, activities to accommodation. However, the common pitfall for most backpackers is this:

Spending too much money without thinking.

Have in mind that the locals in Asia can trick you into paying more than the real costs, and sometimes you get so blinded by all the cheap things there that you end up spending more than what you planned on in the first place!

Lack of money during a backpacking trip results in drastically cutting down on your activities (which means less fun), decisions on traveling back home a few weeks earlier or have someone to transfer money to your account.

But don't worry. I am going to provide you with tips on how to backpack on a budget so that you can enjoy your backpacking trip to the fullest!

Let's start!

Your travel budget highly depends on several factors:

Where and when you're traveling

What kind of activities you're considering (diving, climbing, snorkeling, cooking classes etc.)

How many beers and cocktails you buy

What kind of accommodation you choose

What and where you eat

How often, what and where you're going to shop

So the questions are:

"How do you survive on a tight budget? What happens when you use too much money -- how can you balance your budget again?"

Here are some simple steps on how to travel on a budget:

Accommodation:

Choose a hostel because it's your cheapest option. You will share a room with up to 10 people. Meals are often not included in the price, but that shouldn't be a problem because buying groceries in Asia is fairly cheap.

Hostels are very affordable, convenient and a great place to meet other travelers. Have in mind that hostels are popular among young backpackers and even families, so the rooms fill up quickly. I advise you to travel during the low-seasons. But if you want to backpack during the high or peak season and you're planning to stay at tourist-packed hotspots like Koh Phi Phi in Thailand or Siem Reap in Cambodia, remember to book a room in advance. If you don't do this and all the budget places are fully-booked, you will likely have to crash at an expensive 5-star hotel as a last solution.

Phi Phi Festivals

by wikitravel

Krabi Boek Fa Andaman Festival (งานกระบี่เบิกฟ้าอันดามัน)

This is annually held in November to inaugurate the province’s tourist season. Water sports competitions, cultural shows, and good-natured fun are the schedule.

Laanta Lanta Festival (เทศกาลลานตา ลันตา)

The festival is usually held in March every year at the Old Community in Ko Lanta called Ban Sanga-Au, which has a very old history of more than 100 years. Ancient Chinese style houses can still be seen here. In this festival, tourists can see the traditional culture, previously unseen ceremonial demonstrations, Southern local performances, folk games, water sports competitions and enjoy the tastes from various kinds of food booths which are provided by prestigious hotels on the island

Sat Duean Sip Festival or Festival of the Tenth Lunar Month (งานประเพณีสารทเดือนสิบ)

This is the southern traditional merit making occasion to honour one's ancestors. Food offerings such as Khanom La, Khanom Chohu, Khanom Phong, Khanom Ba, and Khanom Kong or Khai Pla, are made offer to Buddhist monks.

Chak Phra Festival (งานประเพณีชักพระ)

The original waterborne procession, where Buddha images are put on elaborately decorated pulpits on boats are pulled along on the river, has been replaced by a land procession. The festival was formerly accompanied with a performance of traditional boat songs. However, the traditional waterborne songs have since disappeared.

Loi Ruea Chao Le Festival (ประเพณีลอยเรือชาวเล)


This old ritualistic tradition takes place on Ko Lanta during the full moon of the sixth and eleventh month in the lunar calendar. This is a religious rite performed by the sea gypsies of Ko Lanta, as well as, from other neighbouring areas, who gather on the beach near Sala Dan Village. They dance their famous "rong ngeng" round the boats of misfortune to be set adrift. Ceremonies feature singing and dancing. This festival is expected to bring prosperity and happiness to the participants

Getting to Ko Phi Phi

by kophiphihotels.com

By Car

1. From Bangkok, proceed on Highway No.4, passing Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Ranong and Phang-nga Provinces for a total distance of 946 kilometers.

2. From Bangkok, proceed on Highway No. 4, on reaching Chumphon Provinces take Highway No. 41 passing Amphoe Lang Suan in Surat Thani Province to Amphoe Wiang Sa, and then take Highway No. 4035 to Amphoe Ao Luek and continue on Highway No. 4 to Krabi. This route is 814 kilometers from Bangkok.

By Bus : There are daily air conditioned coaches operate from Bangkok to Krabi/Phuket in the evening. Fare for air-conditioned coach would be approximately 750 Baht. The journey takes about 12 hours. Arrive Krabi/Phuket in the next morning, then take the express boat to the Phi Phi island . Contact Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal (Borommaratchonnani Road) at :Tel. (662) 435-1199, 435-5061 (air-conditioned coach)

By Train : From Bangkok: There is no direct train service to Krabi. But it is possible to take a train from Bangkok's Hua Lamphong Station to Trang or Nakhon Si Thammarat and take a bus or taxi to Krabi. For more information on trains, contact the State Railways of Thailand at tel. 1690, 223 7010, 223 7020 or visit http://www.railway.co.th/.

For Trang, an express train leaves Bangkok daily at 5.05 p.m. and reaches Trang at 9.40 a.m. and a rapid train leaves daily at 6.20 p.m. and arrives at 12.20 p.m.

For Nakhon Si Thammarat, a rapid train leaves Bangkok daily at 5.35 p.m. and arrives at 10.45 a.m. and an express train leaves daily at 7.15 p.m. and arrives at 12.00 p.m. For more details, call 1690 or 0 2223 7010 or 0 2621 8701.

By Air : Take flight from Bangkok to Phuket or Krabi. Then take the express boat to the Phi Phi Island .

Boat Transfer Services

There are 2 daily schedules boat transfer service between Krabi/Phuket and Phi Phi Island, in the morning and afternoon.

From Krabi, there are two ways to get to the island either by minibus or express boat. There are busses leaving several times a day, the last one around 4 pm.

The two time daily express ferry leaves from the main pier in Krabi town, but departs only in the high season from Nov. till April. The boats leave 10.00 am and 13.30 pm.

Phi Phi Island Understand

by wikitravel

Slogan

The province of coal mines, Fossil shell beach, towering mountains, beautiful streams, an abundance of islands, palm plantations, sandy beaches, wonderful sea world, Emerald of Andaman, and heavenly Phi Phi Islands.

Understand

Ko Phi Phi (หมู่เกาะพีพี) is a small archipelago in Krabi Province
The named islands are:

Ko Phi Phi Don, the largest and only populated island

Ko Phi Phi Leh (also known as Ko Phi Phi Lai), a smaller island to the south, popularised when parts of the movie "The Beach" were filmed there. Uninhabited apart from bird nest harvesters and a few Maya Bay wardens; expect plenty of tourists during daylight hours, especially in Maya Bay, the beach of the eponymous movie.

Ko Phai ('Bamboo Island'), a small low-lying islet to the north of Phi Phi Don with several good beaches.

Ko Yung (Yung Island) is north of Ko Phi Phi Don. The island has a stone beach in the east and small sandy beaches at the foot of the hills. It is teeming with various kinds of colourful coral reefs

Bida Nok and Bida Nai, two small adjacent limestone karsts to the south of Phi Phi Leh, with near-vertical cliff walls rising from the sea.

Although rapidly becoming less and less attractive due to the masses of tourists as well as the construction on the island, it's still a very beautiful place to visit, and is one of those places everybody should go at least once in their lifetime. Although the beaches are not the best in Thailand, the place has a good vibe and nightlife and there are 18 dive shops to choose from.

Most of the (over)development of Phi Phi Don is situated in or around Tonsai village, which is on the low, sandy isthmus that joins the two hilly spurs that comprise the rest of the island. There are also other, quieter resorts on Long Beach, Laem Thong, and at other less accessible areas of the island.

Ko Phi Phi was devastated by the Indian Ocean tsunami of December 2004, when nearly all of the island's infrastructure was wiped out. Redevelopment has, however, been swift, and services like electricity, water, Internet access and ATMs are up and running again, but waste handling has been slower to come back online.

It should be noted that, while very laid back, many of the local islanders are Muslim. You will lose considerable respect if you walk around town in your skimpies (this applies to Buddhist areas of Thailand too!). While many tourists do in fact parade down Main Street in their Speedos or thong bikinis, to avoid offending your hosts, it's usually best just to throw on a pair of shorts or a sarong; similarly, topless on the beaches, while grudgingly tolerated by most locals, is also probably best avoided.

Map of Phi Phi Island

by ko-phiphi.com

About two hours from either Phuket or Krabi by fast boat, the Phi Phi Islands offer breathtakingly beautiful scenery and a number of good beaches for swimming and snorkeling. The two islands, together with Hat Nopparat in Krabi on the mainland, have been designated by the government as a national park

Phi Phi Lay Map

Ton Sai Bay Map