In the heart of Southeast Asia, the Kingdom of Thailand boasts a land-anchored territory while also being open to the sea. A popular tourist destination for many years, the country often highlights its historical and cultural wealth, but the beauty of its marine depths is also worth a visit.Head submerged…With its two maritime fronts, Thailand has two facets. To the west, the Andaman Sea offers a tropical climate suitable for diving from November to May with visibility up to 50 meters; to the east, the Gulf of Thailand features calm waters from May to October, but offers diving year-round. Many travelers choose Thailand for their first dive, but there are also sites that will delight experienced divers (Boonsung wrecks, Koh Bon and its breathtaking drop-offs) as well as snorkelers who will find around the islands of Koh Lanta and Koh Phi Phi plenty to satisfy their appetite for discovery.
On the fixed fauna side, gorgonians, acropora tables, staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) or giant clams set the scene for your dives. On the mobile fauna side, numerous species are present, from very small tropical fish to leopard or white-tip sharks, as well as barracudas. The Thai marine authorities (Department of Marine and Coastal Resources) are committed to protecting coral reefs and have invested in artificial reefs (often created by artists like the French sculptor Val with her work Ocean utopia) distributed on sites like Koh Tao or around Phuket. This is partly why the fauna is so rich and diverse.
…and head above waterTraveling to Thailand and staying underwater would leave you missing out on much of the country’s charms. Grab your backpack and travel to different regions: idyllic southern beaches, breathtaking rice fields and the art of massage in the north (Chiang Mai), the city of Ayutthaya in the heart of the country with its ancient Buddhist temples. Discover in the north of the country theElephant Nature Park, a place where elephants (emblematic animals of the country) who have been mistreated are taken in and spend a peaceful retirement. Enjoy rich and varied dishes, indeed the quality of Thai cuisine is well known: rice cooked in all its forms, spicy curries perfectly seasoned with spices, fried noodles with pork or beef, the hardest part will be choosing!Practical information
Best time to visit : from November to April in the Andaman Sea, from May to October in the Gulf of Thailand.Water temperature : 27°C on average all year round. 3 mm wetsuit.Minimum required level : from beginner to advanced.Time difference : +5h in summer and +6h in winter.Formalities : carry a valid passport, no visa for a stay not exceeding 30 days, and no mandatory vaccines.
For more information: www.tourismethaifr.com