Very good question, given that Thai law also require anyone who works as a 'guide' to be a Thai national. I've been told that foreigners cannot have their work permits include roles/responsibilities listed as 'dive guide' for this reason (the law states the the occupation of 'guide or conducting sightseeing tours' is prohibited to foreigners). Maybe there's some way of phrasing it so that dive guides are listed as 'dive leaders' or something. But then the question remains, what is the definition of a dive guide according to the law cited by the operator the OP used? Would a 'dive leader' suffice?
No matter how interesting the issue may be to us here in the industry, the real point is, John, that for all intents and purposes, even if there is such a regulation about diving (in a Marine Park?) being permitting only under supervision, there has been no enforcement in living memory, so there is something odd about the dive op giving you this information--maybe as Ayesha suggests, there's been a misunderstanding somewhere along the way.... between some "enforcer" and the shop management, or the management and the staff, or just a confusion in the staffer's mind?
