Travel and Dive Insurance Links

Since Siam Dive n' Sail can take no responsibility for scheduling or itinerary changes due to changing weather, political situations, natural disasters or other events beyond our control, we recommend that you purchase travel insurance for any kind of trip you do anywhere in the world. This is good advice for booking with any dive shop, agency, or other travel service whether online or in person or the telephone in any country in the world. There have been too many changes in insurance coverage in virtually every country to simply assume you are covered.

Travel insurance can also cover lost items such as that nice new iPod, digital camera, or mobile phone someone gave you for your birthday. It covers a lot of personal items that may be lost or stolen while you're on the road.

If you are diving, we also highly recommend that you have DAN or other diving accident insurance up to date and current in case of an unanticipated evacuation or other treatment that may not be covered by your regular medical insurance. Chamber treatment is expensive, so why take the risk for such a small sum and in DAN's case, such a good cause?

Finally, please check with your own insurance company before buying additional insurance. Sometimes credit card companies offer insurance as well. so give your bank a call and see what they say. All links below should open in a new window.

Current Thai National Park Fees

All visitors to Thailand's national parks are--as of November 2001 then revised in November, 2006--required to pay an entry fee of 400 THB per person. This are similar to fees you'll find in other countries which are struggling to maintain the financial health of their national parks.

Divers are also required to pay a user fee in many marine national parks of 200 THB per day. These fees currently apply and are enforced in both the Similan Islands National Park and the Surin Islands National Park. Now fees are collected at Hin Daeng, usually 400 baht per day, but it depends on how long you stay there, have 800 THB if you are not sure. Other marine national parks such as the ones around Krabi (Phi Phi Islands) and Koh Lanta are not always enforced. Welcome to Thailand.

As of December 1, there are some fee changes, and it's a little confusing exactly what happens. But, a four-day Similan trip seems to be between 1600 and 2000 THB now depending on who you talk to. I will update this as I get more information.

The amount will vary according to how the boat plans their trips and where the collection is being done.

We would appreciate it if you would have these fees ready in exact change, cash only. This saves time and hassle, and gets you underwater where you belong, faster.

Current Burma Entry Requirements

Dive boats make special arrangements to enter the Mergui Archipelago, which is a part of Burma or Myanmar. We do not use the same procedures as you would if you actually entered Burma by plane or overland.

• A Myanmar Visa is not required.
• Mergui (Burma) entry fees are currently between $200 and $250 US per person, per entry (not per day) in CLEAN, CRISP, NEW BILLS. This is an increase from last season. The Burmese set this fee, not us, but it does vary slightly between boats as different itineraries have different fees.
• This fee is required in US cash only, new bills please (no checks, credit cards, or other currencies are accepted for this fee). This is the policy of the Burmese, not our policy)
• Please buy the US dollars before you arrive in Thailand. Foreign currencies are difficult if not impossible to buy here without a lot of work and wasted holiday time.
• If your country of citizenship requires you to have a Thai visa, please make sure you get a double entry visa as in most cases you will be leaving Thailand. So, please check with the Royal Thai Consulate in your country for further information.

• Full name as written in your passport
• Passport number, nationality, and place of issue
• Date of issue and date of expiry
• Date of birth
• Gender

These must be emailed or faxed to us at least one week before the trip departs. Contact us or your travel agency for more information. If you are are from a country which requires you to have a Thai visa, or a "Visa on Arrival" (not the same as the free 30 day automatic entry most countries are eligible for), then please make sure you get a double-entry visa for Thailand as the immigration in Ranong does not issue any type of visa. They are only an exit and entry point. For a list of countries, please go here. If you do not see your country on this list, you MUST apply for two Thai visas to join a trip to Burma.

Note: These rules change from time to time. Most of the time we can sort it out upon your arrival, but please have the above paperwork ready in a clean envelope separate from your other travel documents. Please have the US cash in this envelope as well, exact change and new bills. This makes our entry and exit procedures much quicker and easier, so you get more diving in. The officials are, well, rather official acting. So, please have patience with the process and be polite. We do our best to make it as painless as possible! Thanks for your cooperation.

Current Indonesia Requirements

Dive boats sometimes have certain Government fees that passengers are required to pay in US cash before boarding. They also require certain documents. We will inform you at the time of book whether or not you need any money and in what currency. Also, it's a good idea when traveling to Indonesia with the intent of doing a liveaboard, to have the following with you.

• An Indonesian visa if your country currently requires it. These rules have been changing a lot recently, so it's best to call the Indonesian Embassy or Consulate in your home country (or the country you're currently traveling in) to be sure. Airlines will also have the most current information. Much of the information on the various websites around is outdated or incomplete. Indonesian government websites are not updated as often as they change the rules...

• Port fees can run as high as $100 US. Please ask if you are concerned or not sure.

• These fees, if required, are payable in US cash only, new bills please (no checks, credit cards, or other currencies are accepted for this fee).

1. Full name as written in your passport
2. Passport number, nationality, and place of issue
3. Date of issue and date of expiry
4. Date of birth
5. Gender

These must be emailed or faxed to us at least one week before the trip departs. Contact us or your travel agency for more information.

1. FOUR copies of the front page of your passport.
2. FOUR recent color passport-size photographs (Polaroid's are fine).

Note: These rules change from time to time. Most of the time we can sort it out upon your arrival, but please have the above paperwork ready in a clean envelope separate from your other travel documents. Please have the US cash in this envelope as well, exact change and new bills. This makes our entry and exit procedures much quicker and easier, so you get more diving in. The officials are, well, rather official acting. So, please have patience with the process and be polite. We do our best to make it as painless as possible! Thanks for your cooperation.

Komodo Liveaboard Park Fees

Park fees for Komodo and the other areas we visit are now $30 USD, payable in cash on board:

"All contributions to the Conservation Fund will be used to support nature conservation, community development and eco-tourism infrastructure development in the Park as well as to support destination-marketing programs, regionally and internationally... Dr Fidelis Pranda -  Head of West Manggarai Regency"  

Taxi Services and Transportation Thailand

We offer different kinds of transportation from the airport to your hotel or to the boat. Usually airport transfers are not included in the price of the liveaboard trip, and if they are, they only apply if you fly in the same day that you depart on the boat. The exception to this is when you fly into Ranong. There we normally pick you up from the airport and return you there free of charge. If you're concerned, please check with us for your specific trip. These fees are no more than 100 THB anyway, so they are pretty much inconsequential.

We currently charge 700 THB (~$20 US) for airport transfers from Phuket to any hotel, boat pier, or our office. This is for a car for maximum 2-3 people. If you have more in your group, or have a lot of luggage, then we'll arrange a comfortable minivan with or without a roof rack for 1,000 THB (~$31 US). The local minivans hold up to 11 people not counting the driver. However, with six to eight it's comfortable for Western bodies; more it's a bit cramped.

This is currently the same or cheaper than the rates charged at the airport, and our drivers will not take you shopping or to another place than where you planned to go, unlike some of the more unscrupulous taxi operators in Phuket. We have been using the same transportation service for the past four years with no problems whatsoever.

Our drivers generally speak enough English to get by, but please keep your language and questions simple and clear. If you have trouble, the drivers always have mobile phones. You can call John or Bent at the phone numbers listed below and we will explain if necessary. If the driver is reluctant to let you use his or her phone, tell him to call our office at 076-330-967.

John Williams: 081-892-0474; Bent Posejpal: 081-892-0643

Taxi Services and Transportation Indonesia

Taxi services vary from place to place and boat to boat. Please email us for specific information about how to get where you need to be. We use various ground staff agencies to get you around. Normally English is not a huge problem in most Indonesia islands.

Important Notes on Credit Cards

Recently we have discovered that some credit card companies put a surcharge on credit cards that are used overseas. Please check with your credit card company before making payment this way, as we take no responsibility for extra charges imposed by your bank or credit card company.

We never charge you a surcharge or service charge for using a credit card unless we have informed you beforehand. If you receive an unusual charge, contact us and we will research it and make the appropriate adjustments if necessary.

Due to our bank's policies and boat's policies, there are no refunds on credit card payments or any other payments. Contact us if you have any questions about this.

Finally, sometimes credit card companies do not allow overseas transactions without prior approval by you, their customer. Before you pay us, please call your bank and tell them that you will be making an overseas charge. It's also a good idea to let the bank know that you will be traveling to Thailand, and give them the dates you'll be here. This way you don't have approval code problems during your holiday, and helps the banks to prevent credit card fraud.

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