Am comming to Thailand, have been a few times before, want someone to recommend where to go to learn as much as possible and progress as far as I can on a PADI basis.

Have 65,000bht to spend and a month+ available.

Any recommendations appreciated and also how far can someone get in that time/moneyspan?

Am comming to Thailand, have been a few times before, want someone to recommend where to go to learn as much as possible and progress as far as I can on a PADI basis.

Have 65,000bht to spend and a month+ available.

Any recommendations appreciated and also how far can someone get in that time/moneyspan?

Depends when you are coming and what part of Thailand you are planning on staying? There are many good DC's offering Padi courses located all over Thailand.

One bit of advice - take each step at a time and do not rush into those zero to hero programmes.

Whatever you decide - enjoy!

"Depends when you are coming and what part of Thailand you are planning on staying?"

I am quite flexable...my wife will be visiting friends and staying with family in BKK, so I have free reign to go where ever...

Will be around probably September onwards....could be up to 6 months...

Are some areas more beautiful or beneficial to learn than others?....any particular advantage to going to any particular area?

For obvious reasons I like Phuket. Reason being that from October/November onwards there is more variety for dive tour options. Ranging from local shore and longtail boat dives to sites 5 minutes off Kata, Karon and Kata Noi beaches, daytrips to sites 1 and 1/2 hours off Phuket, Overnight cruises to Phi Phi and around as well as Liveaboard cruises (4 days - 10 days) to the world famous Similan/Surin/Burma and southern islands (Hin Daeng/Hin Muang).

If you can you must do at least a 4 day/4 night cruise to the Similan and Surin Islands. The Liveabord boats range from backpacker style to medium and sheer luxury class. My advice would be to spend a little extra to get the cruise of a lifetime. But first get certified (Open Water and Advanced) and do some fun dives. Build up a little experience.