Pattaya Dive Festival Nov. 13-14

[red_barbarian]

I think what's being charged is in line with a standard price, you just get the feel good benefit of doing some volunteer work. I hear prices between 2400 - 3000 Baht being charged for the daily trip fee on normal days. Let's not get off topic on the negatives, I think we need to celebrate what few positives there are in the Pattaya diving scene. The fact the shops can actually pull together and do something together should be recognized as a step forward. If they can also start to do some buoy maintenance on the wrecks, make the clean up more often than once a year, and work harder on the new wreck projects Pattaya may yet become a place people come to dive instead of a place they dive because they are already there.

 

[stevenl]

Agree with you, it is a good initiative.

 

[lord khram]

Without giving an opinion on whether profit is allowed/good for events like this, at 2400 baht it sounds like profitable.

These events on phuket are foc.

2400 bt is a significant reduction on normal Pattaya rates for a days diving. (last time I enquired about 12 months ago I was asked for 3700bt for a trip to the far islands, obviously I declined the offer).
But if someone does make a little proffit from the event and at the same time the environment benefits, everyone wins. That little proffit (if there is one) may even encourage further such events to be organised.
Also as Red Barbarian quite rightly states it is a good thing that for once some shops seem to be working together for the good of diving. I have never heard of such before in all my years around Pattaya, and hope this is just the start of a better future for diving in the area.
We can only wait and see and hope the outcome is a positive one.

 

[Ex-Aquanaut]

Normal dive rates (including gear) have been 2,900 or less at virtually all shops for at least a year. No idea who'd be charging 3,700.

To StevenNL and others curious, we six shops will be lucky to break even. Steven, keep in mind it's not only diving, but the after-party/buffet event as well.

Costs for this include rental of as many as 16 boats, equipment over and above what we shops have, tanks needed above those which the dive centers have, weights (and you know a bunch of those are going to get lost) as well as offering breakfast and lunch, plus dinner and beverages at the party.

There's also six entertainment acts booked at the party, plus the hiring of a professional organizing company and the substantial marketing and print collateral (and website design) that has been commissioned.

Mermaids has really has to be given credit and they did the vast majority of the work. This is Aquanauts' first mass-scale event of this kind, but MM has two years plus experience organizing 200 or 300 divers at a time for an event.

It's not a small -- nor inexpensive -- exercise.

 

[Arizona]

I was happily part of the big Clean up the Reef events in previous years with my school club. Mermaids' did a fabulous job. I hear the one in Sept was very good as well. Really wish I could join you. Will dive dive this weekend but a bit colder.

 

[Ex-Aquanaut]

I've learned today Adventure Divers has joined the Dive Festival and will be taking divers on their boat as well.

 

[limbo]

Excellent intitiative and all of Pattaya (and bangkok) seems to win!

Kudo's to Mermaids, Aquanauts and Adventure Divers in Pattaya and the 4 DC's in BKK.

 

[lord khram]

Kudo's to Mermaids, Aquanauts and Adventure Divers in Pattaya and the 4 DC's in BKK.

Yes I agree, and hopefully in the future some more of the other dozen or so shops in the Pattaya / Jomtien area might even join in or organise their own such event.
Indeed why should such things stop at just dive shops, there are many others in the area that would greatly benefit from having cleaner beaches and seas.

 

[h90]

Without giving an opinion on whether profit is allowed/good for events like this, at 2400 baht it sounds like profitable.

These events on phuket are foc.

I was diving at a special offer 4500 Baht for 5 day trips (own equipment) = 900 Baht/day.
When I purchased it I was joking with the owner and he told me "don't worry we still make profit on it".
So 2400 Baht is a shame. If taking 500-900 Baht it would be OK.

 

[Thai_Diver]

I’m sceptical about any event organized by the Pattaya diving cartel. Seems to me like it’s just another way to try and fill their overpriced (and often empty) bath tubs @ ฿2,400 a head