stevenl

It is also legal.

The problem is spearfishing is very much accepted in the USA, so I doubt (and regret) that PADI will take action.

In general though, in my experience it is not the Japanese that do spearfishing, but much more the Thais. Plus I doubt they brought the gun with them, so my suspicions would be aimed first at Thais, they have been providing the gun for a minimum, and were probably the ones spearfishing.

I also receive a couple of these every day. Another tell tale sign is the mention of credit card payment up front.

I used to thin like that the first year I got here. Now it's becoming harder and harder to "adapt" to the Thai culture, because I understand their culture a little bit more and actually dislike it (note for the flamers: dislike not despise and I didn't say I didn't respect it).

You might ask why I live in Thailand, well, I like Thailand because of it low taxes on foreign earned income and because of its cheap cost of living. I'm really struggling with their culture... There, I said it.

Chalong has everything except touts and ripoff shops and bars.

Koh Lanta and Koh Lipe have some nice diving as well. problem with both locations; the highlights are not really suitable divespots for beginners.

Why do you call snookerstyle tables small? Snooker is played on very big tables.

Won't be long before neighbouring Thai owned resturants report him to police & immigration. I would guess he will be in a whole heap of trouble, even if he has a WP (which is unlikely).

Yes, won't last a week. probably without WP, and even with WP: it won't cover touting.

I would love some kroketten, buut would prefer the original ones. So no chicken, and for sure no veggies.

Well, at least they're honest about the quality of their food.

You are blaming what? Video games, movies, TV, classes, farangs, housing, language and cultural differences?

You quote but you only quote half of the quote.

Hobox: read what is said.

Present day video games, violence in movies and now on TV, the huge separation between the classes, all are contributing factors.

Part of the problem is also the great influx of farang, and their tendencies not to integrate, separate housing complexes with big gates, not speaking any Thai, etc. In the long run this is going to kill Phuket.

It is not only a police matter, it is much more a mentality problem, both with farang and Thai.

Travel the road from Kata to Rawai every day, occasionally also by night. Never had any problems there. Where the problems seem to be at the moment though is not on a deserted stretch of road, but close to Icon, so almost in Ban Sayuan already.

Agree with some of the things said here. I don't like the tailors, the tuktuks are a pain the ass and the aggressive sales tactics of especially the small shops at the beach road are irritating.

But: changing reservations and not telling guests there will be construction going on: will happen anywhere in Thailand, and also in other countries. Tuktuks and taxi's trying to make more money than reasonable: will happen anywhere, I still recall a transfer from JFK to Manhattan where they tried to rip me off.

More meter taxi's all over the island would be excellent, and there are more points for improvement, but where not? All in all I am very happy living here, and most tourists I speak to are very happy coming here.

I feel very safe here already.

Just a matter of perspective. You could also look at it as an (very) attractive low season price, and normal high season rates.

Dekka,

Thanks for the very useful insights, much appreciated.

3. Are you sure? Chance taking depends solely on the pilot(s) flying the plane, their experience levels and overall judgement. I think if one were to investigate, one might find that the experience levels of manyof 1-2-Gos pilots is seriously lacking and I, for one, would question the judgement and abilities of manyof their pilots.

4. True, fuel should not have been an issue. However, once past a certain level those diversion options go away fast. Orient Thai's fuel policies have not always been known to be the best and I for would would suspect that maybe their alternate fuel was not sufficient - IF - fuel was an issue.

It is an automated system, but I presume they can also override it/give commands.

I said it did not fail because it was not triggered, I have no idea whether it would have worked if used, maybe they even tried to use it. The tests have not been a great success IMO, and were hardly audible, plus I don't think there have been tests all over the island.

So anyone hear a warning from any tower ??

Did the whole system fail ?? Police evacing beach Rd etc means they wanted it to work.

No the system did not fail.

The tsunami alarms from the towers are triggered by higher waves in the sea. Since there were no higher waves, there was no tsunami risk, so no alarm.

The problem is not the bank, the problem is weather immigration excepts the fixed accounts as basis for your required money in Thailand.

Agree with you, except for this:

Better to do this course seperately - can certainly be done in Phuket in September - course involves some theory, some beach time or pool time and a day trip on the boat.

I live in Rawai and normally watch it at home (at least the games that are scheduled at for us reasonable times.

UBC tends to broadcast different games during the week at nice times also, without commercials, so good watching.

If you have a group, let me know, I'll join in.

PS the superior attitude doesn't suit you.

You're right with Hin Daeng and Hin Muang BTW, excellent diving. Also possible on a daytrip, albeit a bit far.

Percy, I think it is time you relax a bit, and learn more about the dive industry here on Phuket before posting here about diving.