| THAILAND – ONE OF THE WORLD’S | | | | Surin Islands group and the Similan Islands group |
| TOP-10 DIVE DESTINATIONS Although they are | | | | Central – near shore Transect sites in Phuket |
| no longer a secret to the diving community, | | | | (at North and South Patong) and Phi Phi Islands |
| Thailand’s marine attractions remain among | | | | South – offshore Transect sites at the |
| the best-loved in Asia. Here are some reasons | | | | Adang-Rawi Islands group Data collected from |
| why… Natural history Undersea pinnacles host | | | | permanently marked transects on the upper reef |
| large pelagic fish, rays and whale sharks Reefs | | | | slopes at these 60 locations revealed the following |
| feature a great diversity of corals, fish and other | | | | findings. 30 of reef sites showed damage from |
| marine life, especially along the Andaman coastline | | | | environmental factors followed by good recovery |
| Feeding this diversity are mangrove forests, | | | | 31.7 of sites were damaged by the tsunami and |
| which protect coastlines, and serve as nurseries | | | | are predicted to show recovery within the next |
| for marine fish and other animals Sea grass beds | | | | 3-10 years if conditions remain favourable for reef |
| stretching along the Andaman coastline from | | | | growth. ACCESSIBILITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE |
| Ranong to Satun, as well as in the Gulf of | | | | Thailand’s position at the geographic |
| Thailand, provide critical habitat for dugongs and | | | | crossroads of Asia makes it both a travel hub |
| marine turtles REEF STABILITY AND HEALTH | | | | and destination. The marine realm is very |
| Thailand reefs are more stable than reefs in some | | | | accessible with international and domestic |
| other parts of Asia. The impact of the 2004 | | | | connections to dive take-off points at Phuket, |
| tsunami were limited to 13 per cent of Thailand's | | | | Ranong, Krabi, Trang, Satun and Koh Samui. Diving |
| reefs. Dynamic Change of Coral Reefs in the | | | | in Thailand is possible year-round, with Andaman |
| Andaman Sea, Thailand Findings from a study | | | | Sea sites accessible during November to May, and |
| undertaken by the Phuket Marine Biological Center | | | | Gulf of Thailand sites available in other months. A |
| in Phuket, Thailand to monitor the long-term | | | | plethora of registered dive businesses makes |
| status of coral reefs in the Andaman Sea, | | | | organizing dive tours easy, certification possible |
| Thailand and the pattern of dynamic change of | | | | for beginners, and specialty instruction (e.g. deep |
| the reefs and causes of change. Proportions of | | | | water, wreck, nitrox diving) available to advanced |
| live/dead coral cover provide a visual indicator of | | | | divers. A Google search on the words “diving |
| reef health in the Andaman Sea. Please click to | | | | courses Thailand” returns 2,060,000 links. |
| expand Sixty study sites were grouped into 3 | | | | Story by Antony J. |
| regions. North – offshore Transect sites at | | | | |