| Thailand is sandwiched between The Gulf of | | | | Andaman Sea as it has slightly less variety |
| Thailand on its eastern coastline and the | | | | of marine life. Marine parks such as the Ang |
| vast expanse of the Andaman Sea on its | | | | Thong Marine Park include spectacularly |
| western coast. It is in these body of waters | | | | formed limestone islands with lush rainforest |
| that scuba divers can explore the marine life | | | | covering them and many of these islands are |
| of the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean | | | | actually uninhabited. |
| without having to cross continents. | | | | |
| | | | World famous resorts of Pattaya, Phuket and |
| The waters in Thailand have one of the | | | | Koh Samui offer excellent scuba diving |
| richest and diverse marine life in the world | | | | facilities as well as other reacreations and |
| because conditions here for coral growth is | | | | entertaiment. |
| almost perfect with an average temperature of | | | | |
| 28C all year round and fantastic underwater | | | | The Andaman Sea was already thriving |
| visibility. | | | | thousands of years ago with Chinese, |
| | | | European, Thai and Indian trading vessels |
| Because of these almost ideal scuba diving | | | | plying its waters. Today, the Andaman Sea is |
| conditions and attractions, the scuba diving | | | | more of a playground for dive boats and |
| industry in Thailand is thriving robustly | | | | sailing yachts rather than for trading |
| with the proliferation of first class scuba | | | | vessels. |
| diving facilities, services and diving | | | | |
| schools. | | | | One of the better known playgrounds for |
| | | | divers in the Andaman and is often rated |
| When you throw in what the tourist industry | | | | amongst the top scuba diving destinations in |
| has to offer in Thailand such as fantastic | | | | the world are the Similan Islands. Divers can |
| entertainment, a spread of accommodations, | | | | explore Similan, the Surin Islands and the |
| hotels and resorts for every budget and | | | | Mergui Archipelago in liveaboard diving |
| Thailand's renowned delightful cuisines, you | | | | cruises. |
| can be assured of an enjoyable scuba diving | | | | |
| vacation. | | | | Thailand's Andaman Sea stretches 870km (541 |
| | | | miles) from Tarutao National Park on the |
| The Gulf of Thailand has hundreds of islands | | | | border of Malaysia to the Surin Islands on |
| on its 1,840km (1,143 miles) long coast. The | | | | the border of Myanmar (formerly known as |
| gulf is a shallow bowl shaped body of water | | | | Burma). It is part of the Indian Ocean and is |
| separated from the South China Sea by a pair | | | | separated from the Bay of Bengal by the |
| of underwater ridges that extend from Vietnam | | | | Andaman-Nicobar Ridge. Quaint formations of |
| on one side and Malaysia to the other. | | | | granite outcrops can be senn in the Surin and |
| | | | Similan Islands. |
| The sea bed bottom here is mostly mud mixed | | | | |
| with sand and shells. Corals are usually | | | | Other island groups such as Koh Phi Phi are |
| found around the fringes of the gulf islands. | | | | shaped by massive limestone and calcium |
| There are several rivers in the north | | | | carbonates since prehistoric time. |
| bringing enough sediment and freshwater to | | | | |
| inhibit coral growth until to the south or | | | | The only problem when you travel to Thailand |
| the eastern side of the Gulf of Thailand. | | | | for scuba diving is where to start your |
| | | | diving vacation since there are so many |
| The underwater scenery in the gulf is perhaps | | | | excellent dive spots to choose from and you |
| not as visually appealing as those of the | | | | will be spoilt for choice. |