PHUKET - THE SOUTH PEARL OF THAILAND

Located in the sparkling turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea and just 70 minutes flying time south of Bangkok, Phuket Thailand's most popular beaches and IDC destination has everything you could possibly want for your scuba diving holiday:

• Beautiful beaches with tropical sunshine.
• Some of the finest resorts and hotels.
• Mountains, forests and temples.
• Exquisite Thai, international and seafood.
• Coral reefs and world top class diving sites.
• Best Thailand PADI IDC facilities.

Whether you are looking for a quiet corner to enjoy the scenery while studying for your IDC or for an action time with plenty colourful fishes and corals, Phuket has it all...

Phuket, Phuket Town especially, was first mentioned in Malaysian's literature in 1'200 AD and has had an interesting history with influences from both East and West. This includes British and three hundred years ago Portuguese communities and this is a reason why, you can even find Sino-Portuguese style architecture in Phuket down town.

In 1785 a five weeks invasion by the Burmese was repulsed by the ingenuity of two sisters, since elevated to national heroines. Realizing they were outnumbered "Chan and Mook" persuaded all the island's women to dress up as men, this fooling the Burmese into believing that Phuket was still too well defended. In fact, the governor had just died and the Thais were leaderless. As you drive to the 5-stars IDC, diving centre or to your accommodations from the airport, you will pass a statue located in a roundabout honouring the two sisters.

During the last hundred years, Phuket has established its economic importance with the mining of tin and growing rubber plantations. Nowadays most activities have been replaced by the tourism and the Phuket people really depend on this main resource. Diving has emerged in Thailand about 20 years ago and it is easily you will find here in Phuket PADI IDC, diving education courses and liveaboards to the Similans islands.

So you are most welcome here in Phuket for your IDC and scuba diving holidays.