It all seems to be happening in Phuket this summer. It’s not long since I was talking about the scuba party in Patong and now for water lovers, all be it surface water lovers, there’s a surfing competition being held in Kalim bay on the island of Phuket.

the Monsoon Riders event at Kalim Beach is the first of the three international surfing competitions that will be held this year in the Phuket area of Thailand. The second event, named The King of the Jungle will be held at Kamala Beach from 14-16 August, and the third and final event will be the Island Crown at Kata Beach from 4-6 September. (src)

Kalim Beach is situated just north of Patong Beach, and although a beautiful long strip of white sand. it isn’t the best beach in Phuket for children. Exposed to the western winds this beach does get strong currents often but if you find it on a good day it is a wonderful place to spend some time. It has some wonderful coral heads just off the shore so on the good days you could spend it snorkeling from the beach.

From June to September large storms in the Indian Ocean can generate enough swell to create surfable waves up to 6 feet in height. According to Phuket Boardriders President Chanin “Joob” Aiyarak, “Already this early in the season we’ve had some very good days of surf, and so we are very confident that over this three day period we’ll have waves that will give the competitors in all divisions great conditions in which to compete.”(src)

This is yet another reason to visit Thailand and Phuket especially during the “Green Season”, with bargains to be had from Phuket hotels, biker festivals, blues festivals, scuba parties and surfing competition it would seem now that the summer is the best time to visit Phuket.

If anyone happens to be on holiday in Thailand and visiting Phuket with the aim to do some scuba diving you would be advised to check out a company called Scuba Cat. It is their 2 year anniversary of new ownership on the 1st June and is promising parties but more importantly discounts on scuba trips.

Scuba Cat has 2 liveaboard boats the MV Scuba Cat and the MV Scuba Adventure, both of which drop divers on the coral of the Similan Islands, off the west coast of Thailand. One unique feature of the MV Scuba Cat is that it stays out in the waters up and down the Similan Islands and you are transferred to and from it by a speed boat from Tap Lamu. This reduces your sailing time to the sites on your 1st day and home again on your last, keeping your premium dive time to a maximum and not wasted travelling. Transfers occur on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays only so a little planning is required if you don’t want to stay in any hotels in Phuket or Khao Lak.

Unlike the MV Scuba Cat the MV Scuba Adventure travels a little further north and visits Richelieu Rock, Koh Bon and Koh Tachai. It also has some trip dates the visit the southern dive sites of Hin Daeng, Hin Muang, Koh Ha and the dive sites around Phi Phi Island, Koh Bida Nok and Koh Bida Nai. The MV Scuba Adventure is a travelling boat so you will most likely join this off Patong beach and travel over night to your chosen destination and the travel back again at the end.

Both the Scuba Cat liveabaord boats still operate during the summer season just not in the Similan Islands which become un-divable, almost, during June to October each year. MV Scuba Cat is moored at Racha Yai just south of Phuket, and the MV Scuba Adventure travels to the more sheltered dive sites around Phi Phi Racha Yai and Racha Noi.

If you’re lucky enough to be on holiday in Thailand during June make sure you stop by Scuba Cat and see what the party’s like and take them up on some of their offers. Just because it’s the green season doesn’t mean you don’t have to bee diving still!

Thailand Travel Situation Update – Official Statement from Thai Government

As many of you will know, shortly after the yellow shorts ended their protests the red shirts started planning theirs. So once again Thailand was in the news for not such pretty reasons, but again the troubles were mainly concentrated in and around Bangkok. It has now all subsided and the following is an official Statement from the Thai Government aimed at tourists arriving to Thailand or already there.

Current Situation Update

The messages Thai Government would like to convey to all the tourists who are planning a visit to Thailand.

• The situation in Bangkok has returned to normal. Residents and visitors to Thailand are enjoying the Songkran Thai New Year celebrations throughout the Thai kingdom, including in Bangkok. (The Thai Government extended the Songkran festive holiday this year)
• On 14 April, the leaders of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) called off their anti-government protests. By mid-afternoon, all of the protesters had dispersed.
• Shopping malls in Bangkok re-opened as of 13.00 hrs on 14 April and have continued to operate on a normal schedule since.
• Hotels throughout the country are operating as normal.
• The BTS SkyTrain, subway services, public utilities and communication services continue to operate uninterrupted.
• The Emergency Decree is only a temporary measure. Representatives from Thailand’s travel and tourism-related trade associations are scheduled to meet with the Thai government on 17 April to discuss the lifting of the Emergency Decree at the earliest possible time. (src)

Lets hope this wonderful country sorts out these political battles without destroying the great holiday destination. From what I’ve heard from friends still in Krabi and Phuket you would hardly notice the country was in turmoil.