wondercul

Visibility Was not always this good but you can see why Koh Tao is second most popular For open water diver courses in the world.

I've done plenty of snorkling in my life so the open water course, which I've just finished, was a great next step. I enjoyed it.

I want to keep scuba diving as much as i can in the future.

A little tired since I just finished my 5th and 6th dive but it's a great way to keep active without risking any joint damage or over straining anything since its a gentle exercise but quite calorie intensive so ideal for trimming up !

I signed up with a small company, accommodation is included.

Dive point. Very small... I'm the only one doing the open water course tomorrow and they managed to squeeze the theory in today even though I just arrived. So definitely flexible! I agree about the big operators. I'm near the pier. Very. Is this a good place to be based to make the most of the little town here?

It's 9000 for 6 dives why

Which is brilliant including accommodation.

Should I get a diving certification? For those who have done it, what's so great about driving?

Can you recommend some nice instructors in koh tao? I'm not into drinking or drugs or trance music... Just unrelated lol... But I would hate to end up with a tough guy trance music addict as my instructor.

I have an opportunity plus I'm next to Koh Tao which I've read is one of the best places in the world to learn.

What do you think?

The reason I want to try is because i have no sport hobby and I need reasons to keep active. The more the better really.

It's obviously an expensive hobby... But maybe it's worth it. I'm not rich but I like being in the sea so hey.

What are the best airports (most served and cheapest to fly to) in southern Thailand?

Expedia are crooks.

They screwed me on a hotel booking. The agent is full of crap.

If you like sitting in traffic you'll love Chiang Mai.

I vote go somewhere nice. Fly to Samui. Everything you need and nothing you don't. Amazing Beach.Food. Peace. Party. It's all there.

It must have been hurting tourism giving only 15 days.

Evidently it seems broken logic to exclude the smaller wealthy countries from the 30 day deal though.

satun to Krabi is 276 km, so, 3 hrs. by first class bus; 4 hrs. by 2nd class bus.

Thanks allane.

Any idea the prices? What is a First Class bus like compared to 2nd class?

It's looking likely that I will go to koh lanta from lipe or satun or hatyai. I'll google the route later but if anyone has advice from experience that would be great.

I've been volunteering in a remote part of Langkawi. Just left the project last night and it's really nice to experience civilisation again. I'm looking forward to getting to Thailand.

30 Days for Brits.

And the rest of the g7 countries also still 30 days?

I'm currently in a Malaysian island really nearby to koh lipe. I'm thinking of heading into Thai soil to get a change.

How is the travel network from Satun to Krabi? And all surrounding areas. What's the cheapest most efficient way around? Bus I'm guessing.how long would Satun to Krabi be by bus?

I'm trying to decide which beach to visit. Recommendations on that would be great too.

Also since I'm coming over land or boat do i get 15 days visa waiver? - UK.

Is it 15 days or 30 days for UK passport holders as of now 2016?

The sad fact here is that the minimum income of 18,600 pounds a year is very hard to secure for average people returning back to the UK. Add in the visa fees and TB tests and English tests and it becomes near impossible for a lot of people to take their wives/husbands and kids to the UK.Famillies are split apart.

What really bugs me is when you read about Jihadi Johns family getting houses paid for costing 10's of thousands a year, dole, assistance and their kids piss off to Iraq beheading westerners and hating the west.

This is a crazy world we live in!

May I remind/inform you that it was the Tory(conservative) government who raised the limit to £18,500 per year.

You can vote for the future government in May this year!

Well the ATM get you 2 ways. Firstly they add around 5 bucks fee. This is global now. Then they offer to convert the transaction into your local currency. If you pull 300 dollars, they will possibly make an extra $30 out of you doing this. 10% roughly. This compares to my home bank who charge an exchange rate load of 2% plus £1.

You can choose. Unless your home bank charge some absolutely horrific exchange rate fees, then it's usually cheaper to get your cash withdrawal billed as in the local currency. But find out what they bill you. Your bank statement is not clear enough.

I've done the Mekong Express bus from PP to HCMC many times. Take Mekong Express from Orussey Market. Leaves 3-4 times a day. It's six hours, with ferry, lunch, border stops. You arrive in HCMC on the park side of Pham Ngu Lao (backpacker area). Leaves HCMC for PP 3-4 times a day. Go to address 275M for bus ticket. Mekong Express written large on the shop sign. Fare was something like $12, I think, but that was 3 years ago.

The bus goes through Svey Rieng, Cambodia and crosses at Moc Bai, VN, a major border point. Viet immigration is a pain and takes half hour to 1 hour.

Kaoboi thanks.

Anyway it's not worth wasting a moment of your time on a-holes.

also headed to HCMC soon, have never been though. Plan on getting a thai visa and spending some time along the southern/central areas and coming back, but I am considering migrating there as well (from Chiang Mai). Have fun!

you plan on getting a Thai visa, do you mean Vietnam visa?

What's your background by the way? I'm in my late 20's and had a varied upbringing... from England.

I'm in phnom penh and will shortly go alone to Vietnam over land. First stop maybe Ho Chi Minh. What do you think?

I'm over Thailand. And Cambodia has bad transport. I gather Vietnam is a bit better.

What's your experience in Vietnam? I'll be looking for travel buddies. I'll have my Vietnam visa tomorrow.

I'm heading there for 28 days, from April 7th. Will land in Jakarta alone and try to find a travel companion, a local girl or fellow travelers.

What's your experience in Indonesia?

If you wanted total chill out, take a bus or taxi from Cebu city up to the north end of the island then take the ferry over to the very quiet island of Bantayan Island.

In exchange for my qualified advice (I've been to over 30 locations over 11 months all over the Philippines), will you tell me what other places in SE Asia you have visited?

Philippines. The Number 1 island for tourists is Boracay. It's cheap, has nightlife, world class beaches and boat trips. Easy to access. Stay away from the middle of the island if you want to relax.

Number 2 is Bohol or more specifically Panglao island next to Bohol. Much much less foot traffic but still plenty of places to eat and a nice beach and a couple of nice boat rides. But for nightlife, not anything like as good as boracay. Fly into Cebu City and take the fast boat or fly direct to Tagbilaran - quicker.

I cross at Poipet regularly; it's no big deal as long as you ignore the endless queue of aggressive touts on the Thai side... after that, it's just another tedious border just like anywhere else. The free bus to the bus terminal is a scam. You can get a ticket to SR from one of the four bus companies on the road up from the roundabout for about $4-$5. The bus terminal is much more expensive. Not that I'd ever get a bus when you can hire a taxi for $25 (as many occupants and bags as you want to put in it) and skip the endless break stops (which are completely unnecessary in a two hour drive). And if you buy a bus ticket in SR - you can get back to Bangkok for $9.... so even $20 from Bangkok to here is twice as much as the trip actually costs.

The free bus is not a scam any more. Its the best option now.

Is the normal tourist visa a single entry?

Anyone done this border crossing INTO thailand?

1. When did you last do it? (month and year)

2. What time did you hit immigration? (1.30pm etc)

3. How long did it take you to clear Thai immigration?

4. What transport did you take once crossed into thailand?

5. How do you rate the experience?

Anyway as this is becoming boring ,I take it you read the Guardian as well,no offence ,but once again I don't give a monkeys,and judging by the response,neither do 99,% of the other readers,so best of luck hating those nasty Tory toffs

So By By

Yeah, stuff does get boring when your emotionally tied beliefs are challenged by actual facts.

Definitely buy some pesos in Thailand before you go. 3,000 (about $80 worth) will get you started. It's currently 45 pesos to the dollar. Or 67 to the £ GBP.

The philippines has money changers in every proper city, and the rates are often competitive. I never changed money at manila airport. A good philippine money changer will only take about 1.3 pesos off you per dollar/ £pound you change. It's EASY to buy pesos. If you need to shift them before you leave, buy dollars or whatever they give you a good rate on, because the pickings for foreign currency are often slim.

It's not hard to look up the exchange rate. I use an app on my phone to tell me.

The peso is experiencing investment at the moment and is too strong, in my humble opinion.

Philippines has ATMs. All charge for foreign cards now. 150 or 200 pesos. ($3-$4) Only HSBC is free. There is one HSBC in Manila, and one in Cebu. But it might cost you most than 200 pesos to reach the one in manila, because the city is huge.

I would not get a taxi to Angeles personally, I prefer the bus because they employ less heavy braking and accelerating, and it's like $3 !

By the way, I consider Angeles to be a miserable shit hole, and I've been 3 times, (I used to have a girlfriend there) but some guys like it.