Thailand lies at the very heart of the orient and has many attractions for the traveller seeking a unique experience. For the travelling diver Thailand has the attraction of already being a mature diving destination, but it is only in the last few years that it has gained in popularity with divers from Europe and in particular from the UK. This is no doubt due partly to the fact that many divers are seeking a new experience beyond the familiar destinations such as the Red Sea. The structure of Thai diving is somewhat similar to Egypt in that you can choose between a shore based programme or a dedicated live aboard. Similarly, to enjoy the best diving and find some solitude, the live aboard choice is the more popular particularly for photographers who want to maximise their in water time during a short trip.

The appeal of Thailand is of course not merely limited to diving and many divers will make the most of their visit and spend some time exploring the country or just relaxing at one of the many exotic mainland or island beach resorts. The diving is mostly centered on several groups of offshore islands in the Andaman sea, many of which are tropical paradises in themselves and offer the opportunity for some exciting exploration between dives and at the end of the day perhaps for a beach barbecue. The most popular island groups are those of the Similans and Surin islands to the north of Phuket and the islands of Koh Phi Phi and the neighbouring reefs Hin Daeng, Hin Muang to the south. These areas are renowned not only for their coral reefs and fish life but also for the opportunity to encounter the larger species of marine life, namely sharks, mantas and whale sharks.

This collection of nine islands were declared a Marine National Park in 1982 as protection from the ravages of over fishing by trawlers and the more destructive method of dynamiting. The topography of the islands is granitic with huge boulders lining the shores which extend below water to many of the dive sites. Above the water line the islands are covered with lush rain forest and are worth a visit for the wildlife that they harbour. Two of the islands have fully staffed offices of the Royal Forestry Department whose rangers patrol the islands to enforce the park rules. It is possible to stay overnight on some of these islands, although accommodation is somewhat rudimentary or limited to camping.

On the eastern shores of the islands, which are sheltered from the ravages of the summer monsoon winds, you will find reef structures constructed entirely from coral. Many of the reefs comprise massive boulders or outcrops of granite which form the base for hard and soft corals to adhere to. The jumbles of boulders are truly massive and create all sorts of magnificent swim throughs, gullies and caves to be explored.

The Surin islands lie a further 60km north from Koh Similan, just a few kilometres from the border with Burma. This area is again a Marine National Park established in 1981 and consists of five granite islands and two rocky islets. The larger islands are covered in lush primary rain forest and also have extensive areas of mangroves in their sheltered bays. There is a Royal Forestry Department headquarters and small exhibition centre on Koh Surin Tai and even a telephone box which rather shatters the illusion of island solitude! Another 14km to the east and still closer to the Burmese border is the famous Richelieu Rock, renowned for it’s whale shark encounters. Below water the topography in Surin is similar to the Similans and there are stunning  shallow water coral reefs here, particularly at Koh Torinla which has a magnificent staghorn reef. These islands are the last area in Thailand you can encounter the Moken sea gypsies who live most of the year in small precarious house boats and subsist on the fruits of the sea.

The islands of Koh Phi Phi Don and Koh Phi Phi Ley lie some 48km south east of the island of Phuket and are a popular tourist destination and so don’t have quite the same atmosphere of the uninhabited islands. However, the islands are also part of the Marine National Park system and the diving, particularly around the offshore limestone karsts, is equally good. There is even a wreck dive here, that of the King Cruiser car ferry lost in 1997 which is fast becoming engulfed by marine life.

Pushing another 45km to the south of Koh Phi Phi brings you to the two submerged reefs of Hin Daeng (Red Rock) and Hin Muang (Purple Rock). These are a series of pinnacles which have been named after the colour of the soft corals (Red Rock) and carpet anemones (Purple Rock) which cover them. These are open water sites which attract many pelagics and sharks and are a popular destination in the spring months when the increase in plankton attracts mantas and whale sharks.

The Mergui Archipelago comprises more than 800 islands stretching 320 kilometres north from the southern Burmese border with Thailand. The diving to the south of this area in Thailand's Surin and Similan islands is well established and the potential of the Mergui islands islands has become increasingly popular for live aboards operating in this area. The majority of these islands are uninhabited and until early this century were known only for their remoteness, selection of wild animals and potential for attack by pirates. The independence of Burma (or Myanmar as the country is now known) in 1948 brought with it isolationist policies and the closure of strategic areas which has preserved these islands and reefs until recently. The only inhabitants you are likely to encounter are the Moken (sea gypsies), who have communities in the southern islands, and the occasional Burmese long tail fishing boat who travel hair raising distances offshore in their fragile craft.

The sunrise over your first island anchorage reveals soaring hills capped by dense rain forest fringed by perfect white sandy beaches most of which have not endured a single tourist footprint. These islands are still wild in the truest sense, inhabited by elephants, black bears, rhinos, monkeys, sea eagles, brahminy kites and hornbills, any number of snakes and insects and even leopards and tigers. There are even reports of both elephants and rhinoceros swimming between islands, so be prepared for the unexpected!

The topside island charms also extend below these nutrient rich waters which offer a dazzling diversity of flora and fauna from mantis shrimps to mantas and whale sharks. The topography and coral formations are similar to those found further south in Thailand but there are still numerous sites that remain to be explored. On many sites the density of coral growth and invertebrate life means that there is little room to rest a finger, but when you do watch out that you don't choose a scorpion fish instead of the rock surface - they are literally everywhere in vast numbers, a real contrast to "maybe" finding one during a dive in areas like the Red Sea. The macro life here is stunning and it is all too easy to be come absorbed in a small patch of reef and miss what is happening around you or in the open water off the reef. Seeing sharks, large bull rays, eagle rays and dense shoals of fish is common on many dives - so keeping an eye on the open water is essential to see what has come to investigate these strange noisy creatures on the reef.

The Workshop

There have been many changes in underwater photography in the past few years but the improvements in digital photography have perhaps had the most significant impact on image making. However film is far from dead and the workshop is open to both digital and film users. Past workshops have offered E6 film processing but as it is becoming increasingly difficult to be certain that E6 processing chemicals will be available sadly film processing will not be offered during this workshop. The techniques used in capturing film and digital images underwater are very similar, the big difference with digital is of course that you can see your results immediately.

As with past workshops the emphasis will be on informality and everyone is free to ask questions throughout the day. During the workshop there will be some themed presentations suitable for users of both media and Mark will be on hand to help and advise on the best techniques and solutions whatever equipment you choose to use.

Information:

Most of the major airlines have routes to Bangkok with one or more connections en route. Thai Airlines flies direct from London – there is a connecting flight to Phuket.

The north east monsoon between October and May presents the best diving conditions with mostly calm seas and water temperatures of 28º C. 

Visas: Not required for visits up to 30 days

Currency: Thai Baht - all major credit cards and travellers cheques widely accepted.

Language: Thai but English widely spoken

Voltage: 220v European style two pin. 

Similan National Park Fee $26

Mergui Archipelago fee $ 140 (bring 4 passport size photos, four photo copies of the main page of your passport and four copies of the page with your Thai entry visa – this is for the Myanmar entry permit).

Tourism Authority of Thailand: Tel. 0171 499 7679 Fax. 0171 629 5519 

www.tourismthailand.org

Please contact Oonasdivers for booking and full details of all workshops:
Tel. +44 (0)1323 648924 Fax. +44 (0)1323 738356
E-Mail: info@oonasdivers.com

Visit the Oonasdivers Website: www.oonasdivers.com

E-mail Mark: markwebster@photec.co.uk