Komodo National Park
06-Jul-2024 to 11-Jul-2024
Labuan Bajo Flores to Labuan Bajo Flores
8 spaces available
06-Jul-2024
embark: 
Labuan Bajo Flores
    
8 spaces available
11-Jul-2024
disembark: 
Labuan Bajo Flores
embark:
Labuan Bajo Flores
disembark:
Labuan Bajo Flores
Lower Deck Cabin 1 
$2,148
2 spaces
Lower Deck Cabin 1 
$2,148
2 spaces
Lower Deck Cabin 2 
$2,148
full
Lower Deck Cabin 2 
$2,148
full
Lower Deck Cabin 3 
$2,148
2 spaces
Lower Deck Cabin 3 
$2,148
2 spaces
Lower Deck Cabin 4 
$2,148
2 spaces
Lower Deck Cabin 4 
$2,148
2 spaces
Lower Deck Cabin 5 
$2,148
2 spaces
Lower Deck Cabin 5 
$2,148
2 spaces

Mandatory extra charges per person

Itinerary
What's Included
Booking Enquiry

Diva Andaman offers outstanding journeys into the romantic past of the early 20th century, aboard a classic sailing yacht. During the tour you will appreciate our broad range of activities and be delighted by our fine Thai, Asian and international cuisines within the worldwide renowned Thai hospitality and sense of service. SY Diva Andaman is 35 meters long with a 7 meter beam and offers 7 comfortable cabins (5 doubles and 2 twin) fully furnished with air-conditioning, en-suite bathroom and LCD screen.

Her capacity of a maximum of 14 guests guarantees that each guest can experience a real feeling of privacy any place aboard. Besides scuba diving, you can also enjoy island tours and kayaking . Also offered on board is traditional Thai massage services, relaxing cocktails as well as a selection of fine wines and Grands Crus.

On arrival and departure, you can also benefit from our exclusive lounge in Phuket where you can relax and refresh. For transfers to and from the airport or hotels, transportation can be arranged by our staff for a nominal charge - Diva Andaman does not have Nitrox at this time.

Diva Andaman - schedule

Diva Andaman - Video

Diva Andaman - prices and what's included

Exact pricing is available on the schedule here as prices vary dependant on the time of year and the length of the trip and sometimes special offers are available.

Prices are per person and are charged in Thai baht and based on 2 persons sharing a cabin
Please visit this link to see the amount in your currency using the ‘buy’ rate

The trip price includes :

All meals and snacks;
Tea, Coffee, soft drinks;
Insurance covering accidents aboard;
Leisure equipment including full dive equipment including dive computer;
Transport from and to the hotel or airport
English speaking Trip Leader and Dive Instructor(s).

The trip price does not include :

National Park fees 600 thb per day;
Beer, Wine, cocktails, liquors and cigars;
Traditional Thai Massage

Single occupancy cabin, non sharing cabin +50% - note : this is only applicable is you want the cabin to yourself, if you are happy to share the price is as above for per person sharing.

Booking and Cancellation Terms and Conditions.
Booking deposit: 30% of your invoice total is required within 7 days of booking to confirm your booking.
Final payment of 70% is due to 90 days prior to the departure date to complete your invoice payment.
Individual bookings made less than 90 days before the departure date will be payable in full upon booking to confirm your booking.
Cancellation at any stage involves forfeit of monies already payed.
Payment can be made via bank transfer, Wise, Credit or Debit card (Visa, AMEX, Mastercard) or Apple pay at no extra charge.

Group charter:

Booking deposit:
10% - within 7 days of booking - non-refundable
Second deposit:
20% 180 days prior to departure - non-refundable
Balance due
90 days before departure - non-refundable

On board course Prices

Course Price in Thai Baht
Discover scuba diving (max 12 metres) B 5,200
Open water certification B 13,000
Advanced open water certification B 10,400

Diva Andaman - cabins

To see photos of the cabins please visit the schedule and click on the cabin name to see the photos of each cabin, availability and price.

Cabins

Diva Andaman has 7 cabins for 14 guests in 5 double cabins for couples and 2 twin single bed cabins.
All cabins are air conditioned and have en-suite bathrooms.
Toiletries, towels and hairdryer are provided and all cabins have Portholes.
There is a video and music system cabinet, a reading light, minibar and refrigerator and a safety box.
All cabins also have life jackets, fire extinguisher and an emergency warning system

Diva Andaman - itineraries

Similans - Richelieu Dive Cruise (5 D / 6 N) - Day 1

Activities From To
Boarding at Taplamu pier 7:00 PM 8:00 PM
Welcome Drink, Safety Trip Briefing followed by Dinner on Board while Sailing to the South Similans 8:00 PM 7:00 AM

Similans - Richelieu Dive Cruise (5 D / 6 N) - Day 2

Activities From To
Breakfast on Board - 1st and 2nd Dive in the South Similans 7:00 AM 12:00 PM
Lunch on Board 12:00 PM 2:00 PM
3rd and 4th Dive in the South Similans 2:00 PM 8:00 PM
Dinner on Board While Sailing to the North Similans 8:00 PM 10:00 PM

Similans - Richelieu Dive Cruise (5 D / 6 N) - Day 3

Activities From To
Breakfast on Board - 5th and 6th Dive in the North Similans 7:00 AM 12:00 PM
Lunch on Board 12:00 PM 2:00 PM
7th and 8th Dive in the North Similans 2:00 PM 8:00 PM
Dinner on Board While Sailing to Koh Born 8:00 PM 11:00 PM

Richelieu Dive Cruise (5 D / 6 N) - Day 4

Activities From To
Breakfast on Board - 9th and 10th Dive at Koh Bon 7:00 AM 12:00 PM
Lunch on Board while Sailing to Koh Tha Chai 12:00 PM 2:00 PM
11th and 12th Dive at Koh Tha Chai 2:00 PM 8:00 PM
Dinner on Board While Sailing to Richelieu Rock 8:00 PM 1:00 AM

Similans - Richelieu Dive Cruise (5 D / 6 N) - Day 5

Activities From To
Breakfast on Board - 13th and 14th Dive at Richelieu Rock 7:00 AM 12:00 PM
Lunch on Board while Sailing to Koh Surin 12:00 PM 2:00 PM
15th and 16th Dive at Koh Surin 2:00 PM 8:00 PM
Dinner on Board Whilst Sailing backto Taplamu 8:00 PM 4:00 AM - dis-embark 9am

The Top 10 reasons to go to the Similan Islands:

1. Stunning Marine Life: The Similan Islands are known for their rich and diverse marine life, with over 500 species of fish and 250 species of coral.
2. Manta Ray Sightings: The islands are a prime location to spot manta rays, which are known for their majestic presence.
3. Whale Shark Encounters: Divers in the Similan Islands have the opportunity to see whale sharks, the largest fish in the sea.
4. Visibility: The crystal-clear waters surrounding the Similan Islands offer excellent visibility for divers, often reaching up to 30 meters.
5. Vibrant Coral Reefs: The coral reefs in the Similan Islands are in excellent condition and offer a wide variety of colors and shapes.
6. Pristine Beaches: The Similan Islands are also known for their beautiful beaches, perfect for relaxing in between dives.
7. Varied Dive Sites: The Similan Islands offer a range of dive sites suitable for all levels of divers, from shallow reefs to deeper wrecks.
8. Island Hopping: Visitors to the Similan Islands can also explore nearby islands such as Koh Bon and Koh Tachai.
9. Night Dives: The Similan Islands offer unique and exciting night diving experiences, where you can see different marine creatures than during the day.
10. Top-Notch Dive Operators: The Similan Islands have a number of experienced and professional dive operators to choose from, ensuring a safe and enjoyable dive experience.

Overall, the Similan Islands are a must-visit destination for any diving enthusiast looking for stunning marine life, beautiful beaches, and a range of exciting dive experiences.

The Similan islands

Fifty-two miles north-west of Phuket lies Koh Similan Marine National Park. This is an archipelago of nine granite islands offering some of the best diving in south East Asia. Similan islands liveaboard diving provides a huge variety of topography and boast the richest variety and abundance of reef fish in Thailand.

The eastern Similans dive sites feature lush coral gardens with sea anemones and a host of colourful reef fish. Seas are calm and dives are at moderate depths, suitable for all levels of divers and also for snorkellers. Western dive sites feature enormous granite boulders, descending down to 40 meters with swim throughs, caves and tunnels, making the diving more challenging. Currents provide nutrients for a colourful variety of soft corals and seafans.

The Similan Islands are part of anational parkestablished in 1982 and are covered in lush rainforest withan abundance of bird life. The Similan islands national park was established after the one-year exploration by the Foresty department. The park is the archipelago consisting of nine islands which are Ko Bon, Ko Bayu, Ko Similan, Ko Payu, Ko Miang (two adjoining islands), Ko Payan, Ko Payang, and Ko Huyong. Recently, the park was expanded to include the two stunning islands in the north Ko Bon and Ko Tachai. The Similans are situated 70 kilometres from Phang Nga town. "Similan" is a Yawi word which means "nine". The Similan islands are considered the best dive sites in Thailand.

Islands 1, 2 and 3 are closed for public due to turtle hatching protection program and reef conservation efforts. Island number 3 belongs to HM the Thai Princess. All the other islands are open to diving.

Diva Andaman - diving

Similan islands dive sites

Thailand liveaboard trips to the Similan islands and Richelieu rock generally last 4-6 days and leave either from Phuket island on the west coast of Thailand or Thaplamu one and half hours north of Phuket.
Travelling overnight they arrive in the Similan islands on the following morning to begin your first days diving. Continuing north over the course of the trip to Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and finally the amazing Richelieu rock. These liveaboards encompass the best diving that Thailand has to offer on the best boats Thailand has to offer.?
All our boats are liveaboards for people enthusiastic or serious about their diving but also welcome snorkellers and non-divers who will have their own separate itinerary.

Boulder City (Island Three - Koh Payan)

Boulder City lies some 200 meter south of Koh Payan. The dive site is completely submerged with two mooring buoys to mark the location, one at the north end and one at the south. Descending down the north line takes you to 20 meters and the south line to 30 meters. This is a dive in the 20 to 30 meter mark making it not a long dive but the underwater scenery here is spectacular with large granite boulders some bigger than a house, with swim-throughs and the chance of swimming with large pelagics. Eagle and manta rays cruise around the large boulders while large fan tail rays rest in the sandy bottom. This is also where I have been lucky enough on two separate occasions last season to witness the mating of leopard sharks. With a family of large humphead parrot fish and napoleon wrasse living in the area the beautiful soft corals and large gorgonian sea fans make this an eye opening dive site with the occasional whale shark cruising past.

Koh Miang # 4 Honeymoon Bay

Honeymoon Bay is a beautiful bay on the back side of island 4 with its quiet beach and tranquil bay it’s the perfect place for a snorkel or our sunset dives on the gentle slopping reef down to 24 meters. In the shallows around the coral heads you will find octopus, crabs and mantis shrimps on the hunt for food.

With the occasional hawksbill sea turtle and white tip reef shark patrolling the reef will keep you busy on your dive.

Koh Payu # 7 Deep Six

Deep six lies on the northern tip of island 7 and has a buoy line running down to 18 meters there as the name implies you can descend down to over 60 meters. Here the dramatic underwater boulders have formed some excellent swim throughs, tunnels and canyons that make this an exciting dive. But down in the soft coral garden the largest gorgonian sea fans in the Similans survive untouched. With the occasional manta ray gliding passed in the blue will make for an enjoyable dive.

Elephant Head, Hin Pousar

Deep six lies on the northern tip of island 7 and has a buoy line running down to 18 meters there as the name implies you can descend down to over 60 meters. Here the dramatic underwater boulders have formed some excellent swim throughs, tunnels and canyons that make this an exciting dive. But down in the soft coral garden the largest gorgonian sea fans in the Similans survive untouched. With the occasional manta ray gliding passed in the blue will make for an enjoyable dive.

Koh Bangu #9 North Point

North point lies on the west side of the island with a dramatic underwater scenery of large boulders with canyons and swim throughs. As you descend down the line passed the tall fin bat fish and head through the tunnels, keep your eyes open for a pair of Napoleon wrasse. In between the large canyons grow large gorgonian sea fans with excellent soft corals hiding harlequin ghost pipe fish but a look out into the blue can be rewarding with frequent visits from the graceful manta ray passing over head.

Koh Bon - The Pinnacle

Koh Bon island lies 12 nautical miles south of Koh Tachai island and the dive site is located around 150 meters north west of the island and has no bouy line so location is by GPS. When the captain signals its time to jump into the blue and descend down to the pinnacles. The top is around 18 meters and continues to run down to over 50 meters to the sand bottom were the docile leopard shark sleeps while white tip reef sharks patrol the reef in search of a meal.

These amazing pinnacles are covered with colourful soft coral trees, large gorgonian sea fans and barrel sponges running down the walls. With 5 species of clown fish in the magnificent anemones and their shrimp and porcelain crab hosts its difficult to keep your eyes of the pinnacles but a look out in to the blue can be rewarding with manta rays gliding around and the occasional whale shark. But don’t forget to keep a check on your air supply as its time to head back to the surface and leave these beautiful creatures behind.

Koh Tachai Island - The Dome

Koh Tachai lies 22 nautical miles south of Surin, the dive site is located around 200 meters south of the island and is marked with a bouy line which descends down to 16 meters to reach the top of the plateau. From here you decide which way to go ? North or South. North takes you over the plateau to the beautiful coral garden at around 22meters to 26meters with some of the best soft corals and sea fans in the area, which will keep underwater photographers busy. South takes you down over the large boulders to between 36meters and 40meters to reach the sandy bottom looking for the docile leopard shark and large stingrays. Up above schooling great barracudas with tunas and trevallys darting down to catch the baitfish hanging around the reef. With a multitude of small creatures to look at try not to forget a look into the blue to see the manta rays gliding past and the occasional whale shark make Koh Tachai a spectacular dive site.

Richelieu Rock

Richelieu lies 7.5 nautical miles east of the Surin islands national marine park. Here this large rock pinnacle just breaks the surface at low tide and descends down to around 33 meters to the sandy bottom. The northern side has an excellent wall with lots of cracks and holes for you to look inside. The wall is covered with coral and zig zag oysters where you can find over ten species of moray eels like the commonly spotted white eyed, giant, yellow edged, and bartail morays or the shy dragon, leopard, honeycomb and zebra morays.

The wall is all so home to many species of shrimps from the cleaners, anemone, saron, squat and the colorful harlequin shrimps. The west side contains mostly soft corals and sea fans with ghost pipefish and tigertail sea horses hiding in between the branches. But its here where we all so encounter large schools of silver jacks and bluefin trevallys with chevron and great barracudas too.

Its also home to the gentle giant the whale shark anywhere from 2 meter babys to 8 meter subadults. The walls seem to move with so much life or look closely at the camouflaged scorpion, stone and lionfishes that blend in to the rock. A truly spectacular dive site no matter what the visibility.

Koh Bida Nok and Koh Bida Nai Islands - Koh Phi Phi

These two uninhabited islands lie south of Phi Phi and are a Mecca for leopard sharks. These harmless and docile creatures are usually sleeping around the sand and coral banks of the islands usually no deeper than 20 meters. With Bida Nok as the larger of the two it offers great hard and soft corals with turtles and sea snakes passing bye. The deeper of the two with depths to 30 meters on the west side wall teeming with life from lionfish to baby morays poking there heads from the cracks and well camouflaged octopuses blending in to the rocks will keep your eyes busy on this dive site.

Bida Nai island smaller and slightly shallower offers the chance to see the sleeping leopard shark anywhere from 1 to 10 sharks resting on the bottom in between the staghorn corals. Here the soft corals are abound with their beautiful colors but look closely at the sea fans to find the Tiger-tail sea horse. With two swim-throughs covered in small baitfish and shrimps, lots of colorful reef fish and schools of barracuda and trevallys darting over the reef, and not forgetting the many nudibranches along the way make this a wonderful dive site.

Diving License Logbook
As a safety precaution for all our guests, as well as to identify the experience level of each diver, it is required that all divers possess proper and valid diving license / certification card, as well as the most updated logbook, which will be checked upon boarding the ship.

Diva Andaman - faqs

I am an open water diver.Can I join the Thailand trips?

Yes, most trips are for all levels, even non-divers are welcome to snorkel or even learn on board.

Is Hotel or Airport pickup provided?

Pick up time from your hotel in Phuket and the airport pick up on the sailing day. After the trip, you will send you back to your hotel in Phuket or the airport, which ever you prefer.

What happens if I arrive in Phuket Airport on the morning of sailing day?

We recommend you get somewhere for the day, the Airport hotel - //www.phuketairporthotel.com/ has day rates, might save you sitting around all day, it would be money well spent or you could hang out on the beach at Nai Yang beach near the airport - //www.phuket-photos.com/frameme.php?page=nai-yang-beach.htm

Can I request a larger (15 litre) tank?

Yes, there will be a charge for this

Do you have any tanks with a DIN valve?

Yes, we have adaptors.

Are there any extra fees to pay onboard?

Marine park fee, alcohol and massages dependant on the boat

Can I fly on the final day of trip?

You can, provided you skip the final 2 morning dives on the last day.

How long is the boat ride from the pier to the Similan Islands?

4 hours.

Is Insurance included?

no and DIVE insurance is mandatory

Is there phone reception throughout the trip?

Only around the Similans, Island 4, 5 and 7 at the moment.

Is there power onboard for battery charging?

Yes, most of the cabins have 220V

Is there a camera rinse tank?

Yes

Where is the nearest Recompression Chamber?

In Patong Beach, Phuket.

Is there Oxygen onboard?

Yes

What are the dive sites covered in a normal 4 day itinerary?

East of Eden, West of Eden, Elephant Head Rock, Rocky Point, Christmas Tree Point, Koh Bon, Pinnacles, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock.

Getting to Thailand

Flying to Thailand and Phuket International flights There are two airports in Bangkok, with all international flights arriving to the new international airport of Suvarnabhumi (airport code BKK).

Most major airlines fly direct to at least Bangkok, and often to Phuket.

Thai Airways International (THAI) is the national airline and is regarded as one of the best airlines in the world, with another great carrier being Singapore Airlines who have multiple flights to Bangkok and Phuket daily.

Phuket also has an international airport, with at least five flights a day (this varies from high-season to low-season) arriving from Bangkok year-round. Phuket also welcomes planes from Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, and even Europe to its airport.

Internal Flights

If you have a connecting flight to Phuket then it can leave form Suvarnabhumi or from the old international airport of Don Muang (airport code DMK, which is now purely domestic). Please check your tickets, transfer times, and lay-over times between flights as passage between the two airports can be time consuming.

Thailand has a number of discount and budget domestic airlines which can be good as long as you don’t want to change your travel plans.

You can save 50% or more using these carriers if you book early but keep in mind that they usually limit your luggage weight to 15kg or 33lbs.

For many divers this is simply not enough and by the time you pay the over weight fees, you may not end up saving any money.

Note: It is strongly advised that you arrive in Phuket at least one day prior to boat departure in order to avoid potential problems and to allow you time to acclimatise before heading out on the trip. Also remember the ‘24 hours after diving’ rule when booking your return flights.

Visa Requirements

All travellers to Thailand must have a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date of entry into the Kingdom. Although nationals of most countries in Southeast Asia, Europe, America, and Oceania are granted visa on arrival for up to 30 days, some are only granted 15 days, and others must have visa before arrival.

See the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for an up to date list of what is required. If in doubt please contact the Thai embassy in your country for more information.

Accommodation upon Arrival in Phuket

It is highly recommended that you arrive at least one day prior to your cruise to recover from your jet lag and / or to avoid any possible delays or complications.

Electricity Supply

In Thailand 220Volt/50Hz is standard with sockets mixed between 2 and/or 3 pin flat and/or round pins. To avoid confusion or disappointment we suggest guests bring at least one travel adapter.

Currency

The currency of Thailand is the Thai Baht (Thb). Visa and Mastercard are commonly accepted in most stores (though American Express is less so) and cash machines are widely available in tourist areas.

Currency exchange is also widely available, though we suggest using banks (where you will get a fair exchange rate and often pay no commission) rather than hotels or others who generally provide poorer rates.

You will sometimes find that US Dollars, Euros, and the GB Pound are accepted in larger hotels.

Eating out and Thai Food

No matter what your gastronomical tastes there is something for everyone in Phuket with world wide fast food outlets, street carts, fine international restaurants, and wonderful traditional Royal Thai Cuisine all available. With all the major resorts and Phuket City offering a wide choice you can eat somewhere new every night!

There is a wide variety of Thai food, and contrary to popular belief it is not all very hot. There are many curries available and they can be spicy, though a simple request for “not too spicy” will make it more than bearable to the western palate.

Also beware of ‘Thai Spicy Salad’ as this is not salad in the traditional western sense and can be hot enough to make your brain leak through your ears (though papaya salad is delicious once you are accustomed to the heat!). Northern curries tend to be milder, with ‘Massaman’ being a particular favourite.

Sea food is very popular in Phuket, for obvious reasons, and is very reasonably priced in western terms. Most sea food is generally fresh and cooked beautifully, though take the sensible precaution and beware of shell fish if you have lots of travelling to do the day after.

Climate

Thailand’s tropical climate is influenced by the southwest and northeast monsoons. There are three basic seasons: Dry (November through Feb), Hot (March through May) and Rainy (June through October).

Day trip diving is possible all year round, though the liveaboard season is restricted to the ‘dry’ and ‘hot’ seasons; often referred to as high season.
For up to date weather in Phuket see Yahoo weather.

Air and Water Temperatures

Air temperature: 23°C - 35°C (73°F - 95°F), always warm and can be very hot and humid, nights sometimes a little cooler. Water temperature in the Andaman Sea averages around 27°C to 30°C (80°F - 86°F), very pleasant although sometimes thermo clines occur.

A 3mm short wetsuit is normally enough, though with 4 dives per day you may want to think about a full length suit particularly if you are susceptible to the cold. Please contact the office a week or so prior to the trip for current water temperatures if you are concerned.

Clothing and Dress Codes

In all tourist resorts shorts and t-shirts are acceptable attire. This is also appropriate at night, though ‘smart casual’ is preferred in the better eating establishments.

Jackets and ties are not required anywhere. Ladies are expected to dress appropriately when visiting temples, for example, cover your shoulders and wear dresses or trousers below the knee at the very least. Aside from this, light natural fibers are advised as they are comfortable and allow the air to circulate, man made fibres can cause you to sweat in this humid climate and can cause heat rash or worse.

Health

Health services are excellent in Thailand with modern, well equipped hospitals in all major towns.

Although Thailand is officially a malarial area, most of the country (including Phuket) is Malaria free, though Dengue Fever is not unknown. We recommend you check the status of your vaccinations and seek your doctor’s advice on inoculations and medication.

Normal sensible precautions with food should keep you out of trouble, and be sure to drink lots of bottled drinking water to prevent dehydration (especially if your best laid plans have still left you with a bout of diarrhoea).

DO NOT drink tap water in Thailand! Also, be sure to wash regularly and wear light, loose clothing made from natural fibres as heat rash and fungal infections for visitors are not unusual in this humidity.

Religious Matters

Nearly all Thais are Buddhist (somewhere approaching 90%) with a small percentage (some 5%) being Muslim, though the south has a higher proportion of Muslims. The remainder of the country is made up of various religions with Christianity, Hinduism, and Confucianism making up most of the 5 or 6% left. There is a great tolerance between religions symbolised by the fact that the King is the Protector of All Faiths

Simple Etiquette

The King is the head of the constitutional monarchy in Thailand and is, along with the whole royal family, held in the highest esteem. The family has the love and respect of the entire nation and showing disrespect can get you into trouble. Joking about the Royal Family is simply not done!! Do not point your feet at people, especially monks or representations of Buddha, as this seen as highly disrespectful, as is touching adults on the top of their heads.

If you are in a situation that leads you to be in contact with the police for ANY reason, you must remain calm and respectful at all times. Raising your voice, displaying anger, making demands will get you nowhere, in fact will probably make matters worse no matter whether the problem is your fault or not. Good humour and patience will get you a long way in any situation.

Time Zone

Local time is GMT+7 hours throughout the year. Thailand has no daylight savings time and sunrise and sunset are pretty regular year round with sunrise between 6:00am and 6:45am and sunset between 6:00pm and 6:45pm.

Postal Services

The Thai postal service is mostly reliable, especially if posting abroad, though speed does not seem to be a priority. Post offices in Thailand are open from 9:00am until 3:30pm.Important items can be sent by Express Mail Service (EMS) from most post offices which is both faster and more reliable (with a proportionally higher cost). Both DHL and UPS have offices on Phuket if you want to be sure of their international standards.

Telephone and Internet Services

International dialling is available from almost all major hotels (and many smaller ones), as well as many offices offering travel and/or internet services.

To make an international call, dial 001 plus Country Code plus Area Code plus Phone Number.

Services tend to be very reliable. Internet is also widely available with everyone from hotels to coffee shops offering computers with internet service and WIFI. The speed of internet is still not up to western standards but internet calls via Skype are mostly clear and consistent.

Shopping and Bargaining

There is a massive amount of shopping available in Phuket. Regular purchases such as clothing, perfumes, shoes, sunglasses, souvenirs, computer gaming hardware and software are all available. Beware when buying (especially anything designer or software) that you are buying the real thing when paying ‘real’ prices. Tailors are also very very popular in Phuket, and rightly so. Within 24-48 hours you can have a bespoke dress, shirt, coat, or three piece suit made in the material of your choice at an incredibly low price!

There are also, genuine, traditional Thai wares available outside of the resorts, especially in Phuket City. These include wood carvings, teak ware, porcelain, paintings, and Buddha imagery. Thai silk products are very popular too with outlets such as the legendary Jim Thompson now available on Phuket. If you want something traditionally ‘Phuket’, look out for pearls, tin, and pewter ware, all of which are widely available outside the resorts.

Jewellery is also very popular on Phuket with gold, diamonds, and coloured gems particularly prevalant. Be aware when buying since authentic gems should come with a certificate that states the value of the object and a statement of its value, if this is not present and you are not in the business yourself be very careful.

Contrary to popular belief most establishments will not engage in bargaining, or ‘haggling’, for goods, and prices are set. This is especially true in such places as pharmacies, bars, supermarkets, department stores, public transport, and restaurants.

Elsewhere, in places like jewellery stores and with street vendors, bargaining is almost part of the game. Simple rules include keeping the bargaining friendly and remembering exactly how much you are haggling over (is 30 Baht really so important to you?). Getting angry or drawing the haggling on for too long over small amounts will be met with irritation. The best way to see if you are getting value for money is to be prepared to walk away. If you are not followed then the vendor really isn’t willing to drop his price any further…have a think and go back later to buy.

Crime and the Police

Known as the land of smiles Thailand is a very safe place to travel around, as demonstrated by the high volume of young backpackers flocking here every year. The police keep a very high profile, with dedicated Tourist Police in all tourist areas designated to looking after the rights of foreign visitors.

As in almost all countries, pick-pocketing happens in crowded areas such as bus and rail stations, tourist spots, and busy gatherings (festivals and bars) so watching your valuables in these areas would be wise. It is not unknown for things to go missing form hotel rooms, but by the same token it is very unusual. By enlarge, Thai staff are very polite and honest. By taking sensible precautions you should have no problems while in Thailand.

It is also worth noting here that drugs are very much to be avoided in Thailand. The government has a very vocal and well known harsh system for dealing with people it considers to be involved in this business (including their infamous ‘shoot now ask later’ system from several years ago), and penalties are very strong.

If you are involved in any kind of incident then the police must be informed (ideally tourist police if they can be contacted). As stated in ‘Simple Etiquette’, when dealing with the police remain calm and polite in order to get the best help and co-operation. Return to top of FAQ’s