News & Updates

News & Updates

All the latest Phuket news and updates. At Local Dive Thailand we are always trying to improve our customer service standards, boat safety and striving to make our dive tours the best in Phuket, so stay up to date with us by checking out our latest projects, improvements, staff and much much more in this section!

phuket news for august 2022 News & Updates

Phuket News August 2022

After the relaxation of the cannabis laws last month, unsurprisingly the Phuket news in August has been a little slow... An unfortunate dutch guy, great news on tourist visas and another crackdown on motorbike rentals. Not the brightest thing to do but a tourist went spearfishing inside the Phi Phi National Park and then posted his catch on social media. Outrage from Thai netizens ensued and the manhunt was on! The police did finally c [...]

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beautiful scenery in phuket to go with the july news News & Updates

Phuket News July 2022

The big Phuket news for July 2022 is the legalisation of cannabis. Laws are somewhat smokey but at the moment it's a free for all. Weed shops are popping up everywhere at such a rate they may takeover 7-11. A clarification of the law will come soon but at the moment you can spark up a fat one without the fear of being arrested as long as your not in a public space. Our dive boat is unfortunately a public space so smoking weed is not allow [...]

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a beautiful beach to visit when thailand travel restrictions are finally lifted News & Updates

Thailand Travel Restrictions Almost Finished

*Update: All restrictions and entry requirements for vaccinated travelers have been lifted as has wearing masks outdoors Thailand was one of the first countries to begin lifting travel restrictions. Since the initial opening phase back in July 2021, Thailand has somewhat dragged its feet, allowing other countries to gain a upper hand in the tourist markets. Economic pressure from within finally seems to have won through and all restriction [...]

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single use plastics banned in thai national parks News & Updates

Single Use Plastics Banned In Thai National Parks

From yesterday (06th April 2022) the Thai National Parks office has banned the use of single us plastics and styrofoam products in all National Parks. This includes marine parks so this may affect you on our Phi Phi day trip and Similan Island liveaboards. Although most of the plastics we find on the dive sites are not jettisoned from boats, it's still a welcome move. As a dive community, Phuket has long practised good environmental [...]

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a diver in the clear shallow water at Racha Noi News & Updates

New PADI DSD Elearning

The PADI DSD (Discover Scuba Diving) has been added to the long list of elearning options available through the PADI App. New divers will be able to learn some basic scuba diving theory before getting in the water. It's not extensive theory, just some basic safety rules and some insight into how pressure affects us underwater. Not at all, if anything it simplifies matters. The prospective diver will be able to learn the necessary basic [...]

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enjoy beautiful locations with the thailand test and go News & Updates

Thailand Test And Go Returns!

Despite initial reservations, the Thailand Test and Go scheme was a massive boost for the Phuket diving industry. Even though the tourist arrivals were way below normal. A lack of diving options in south-east asia especially drew a large number of divers to Phuket. Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines all still have heavy restrictions on international tourism. In comparison getting to Thailand and especially Phuket is relatively easy e [...]

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enjoy beautiful phuket with changes to the tourist sandbox scheme News & Updates

Changes For Phuket Sandbox From October 01st

The much heralded Phuket Sandbox scheme did bring in some extra income for Phuket's beleaguered tourism sector but it was nowhere near enough. Changes had to be made and from October 01st we will see some easing of restrictions. We're still not where we want to be but none the less the changes are welcome and we hope it will boost the appeal for a holiday and diving in Phuket. The changes for the Phuket Sandbox were officially published in th [...]

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Local Guides, Local Knowledge, Local Experiences

Don't trust your diving to amateurs or freshly minted dive guides, dive with local experienced experts from Local Dive Thailand. Our Scuba Diving Phuket Tours will take you to see the rarest of the rare critters, you will be amazed by the macro life our guides can find, in the secret places only they know. To put it in perspective, if you were going to climb Mount Everest you would certainly hire a local sherpa to lead the way & keep you safe. Diving is similar because there is absolutely no substitute for local experience & local knowledge, Local Dive Thailand's guides are Phuket's Sherpa's of the Andaman Sea!

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Scuba Diving Phuket, Phi Phi & Thailand

When talking about Scuba Diving in Phuket, you should believe the hype, many seasons we have had Whale Sharks grace us on our regular and easy to reach dive sites and on a good day you can add Sea Horses, Sea Moths, Snake Eels, Frog Fish & Octopus to what you can see on any given dive and so much more. If we are heading to Phi Phi Island for the day, you can possibly see Hawksbill Sea Turtles and Black Tip Reef Sharks, also don't forget the King Cruiser, 84 meters of beautiful wreck and the most amazing reef nursery for fish and nudibranch. Local Dive Thailand day trip tours to these locations are not to be missed when you are scuba diving Phuket, get in touch with us and book an 'awesome' day of diving.

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Latest News From Local Dive Thailand

See why we are Thailand's leading scuba diving Phuket tour provider, stay up to date & watch out for news & special liveaboard offers!

great discounts on the junk and phinisi liveaboards Diving Discounts & Special Offers

Discount On Junk and Phinisi Trips 2024

There's a great 20% discount offer for all remaining spaces on The Junk and Phinisi departures to the Similan Islands and the Southern Andaman in 2024. From now until the 09th May all trips on these fantastic boats are offering deals for all cabin types. A rare opportunity to dive the fantastic Similan and Surin Islands in style at a great price Similan and Surin Islands 4 nights 14 dives Departures: 08th - 12th April, 7 spaces in t [...]

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take a diving refresher in the clear waters at racha noi Scuba Diving For Beginners

Keep Your Skills Up To Date With A Diving Refresher

A diving refresher or a PADI Reactivate programme is something all divers should consider if they haven't had the opportunity to dive for extended periods. We're not all fortunate enough to be able to dive when and where we want. Logistics, finances, health can all make getting a dive in a bit of a struggle. The recent pandemic kept the majority of divers away from the hobby they love for years. Diving refreshers were in high demand in 202 [...]

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crown of thorns starfish Rare & Peculiar Critters

Crown of Thorns Starfish

Fortunately Phuket hasn't got a huge population of crown of thorns starfish. They're strange appearance and beautiful colours make them great to look at but high numbers can cause immense damage. Their diet of healthy corals and venomous spines don't place them high on the welcome visitors list which is incredibly unfair. The venomous spines is all on them but destroying coral reefs? In a healthy ecosystem they would be just another li [...]

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