Thailand's complete scuba diving information source: dive centres, dive courses, dive equipment, dive sites

Introduction to Thailand

•	Overview	•	Central Plains
•	Tourism	•	The Andaman Sea
•	Bangkok & the regions	•	The Gulf of Thailand
•	Isan

Principal diving destinations

Overview

At the heart of South East Asia, Thailand is an independent kingdom combining 20th-century sophistication with an ancient culture that has evolved over the past 700 years.

Covering just over 500,000 sq km it is bordered by Malaysia to the south, Myanmar to the west, Laos to the north and Cambodia to the east. It is unique amongst Southeast Asian nations in that it has never been occupied by a foreign colonial power. Largely as a result, it has maintained a cohesive sense of national identity and traditional culture.

Tourism

With over five million annual visitors, Thailand is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia. It has an enormous amount to offer, from ancient temples to rainforests and remote islands with palm-fringed beaches – and, of course, coral reefs teeming with life for divers and snorkellers. Tourism is an important part of the kingdom’s service economy.

The country has also recently become a bit of a golfers’ paradise. In relation to its neighbours, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea and Japan, it’s excellent value for money. As a result, many Asian and European tourists now visit in the winter months from November to March and enjoy a wide range of impressive golf facilities all around the country.

For the best information and insight on where, when and how to play, see Pocket Guide GOLF Thailand and its online version, www.golfguidethailand.com

Bangkok and the regions of Thailand

The population of Thailand is around 60 million, with approximately 10 million people living in the capital, Bangkok. This massive, vibrant, traffic-bound city dominates the country’s central region and functions as the cultural, religious, economic and political centre of the country.

Thailand is divided into four distinct regions: the mountainous north, the vast northeast plateau, the central plains, and the narrow Isthmus of Kra to the south, stretching down to the border with Malaysia.

Once covered in teakwood forests, the mountainous northern region appeals to the adventurous traveller, with one of the main attractions being the prospect of trekking through remote – and not so remote – villages inhabited by a diversity of tribal peoples. The main focal point for the region is the growing centre of Chiang Mai, Thailand’s ‘second’ city.

Isan

Separated from Laos by the Mekong River, the northeast plateau is dominated by agriculture (rice, fruit and vegetables) and is one of the poorest regions in the country.

Known as Isan, this region has a distinct culture and dialect (reflecting its proximity to Laos), and although it is the least developed area in Thailand, this part of the country is well worth visiting, with ancient stone temples dating back almost 10 centuries. Isan is growing in importance as the gateway to Laos.

Central Plains

The central plains are another important rice-growing area and, although most visitors tend to pass them by on their way further north, there are ancient cities, such as Ayutthaya and Sukhothai, which repay exploration.

The Andaman Sea

It’s the islands and beaches of southern Thailand that hold the greatest appeal for tourists and, whether you’re looking for solitude or sophisticated nightlife, there is plenty of choice.

The Andaman coastline, to the west of the Kra Isthmus, boasts fabulous scenery and dazzling beaches. The largest and best-known of the island destinations here is Phuket, which has been attracting tourists for a number of years and is now in full swing, high-rise hotels appear inexorably above the palm trees.

Further south, the island of Koh Phi Phi and the beaches around Krabi on the mainland are slowly but surely building a foothold on the tourist map and, although not as established as Phuket, they are geared up to welcome all visitors – from independent travellers to families – as is the more remote and charming island of Koh Lanta Yai further south.

The Gulf of Thailand

In the Gulf of Thailand, on the other side of the Kra Isthmus, the most established destination is the island of Koh Samui; the other islands within the Samui Archipelago, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, are also popular tourist and diving destinations.

To the east of Bangkok, the beach resort of Pattaya bears little resemblance to the real Thailand and has a notorious reputation, but further east still there are several virtually untouched islands awaiting the adventurous traveller – Koh Chang, for instance, which is the country’s second largest island offers miles of beaches and unexplored forest along with its less developed neighbour, Koh Kut.