So you’re thinking of going to Thailand and want the low down?  You are in for a rare treat to be able to experience the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of this exotic culture first hand.  Whether for business or pleasure, long stay or short visit, you will not want to leave Thailand when the time comes.  You will have memories for a lifetime and will always have a longing to return.

The most prevalent language spoken in Thailand is Thai.  This is another of the tonal languages from which many other languages of adjoining areas have been derived.  Just as the English language has many variations (dialects), so has the Thai language.

Written Thai is based on an alphabet adopted from the Cambodian Khmers and is thought to have been standardized during the Sukhothai period.  The Thai alphabet consists of 44 consonants, 18 vowels, and 4 diphthong (tonal) notations.

The differences often are word usages, pronunciation, intonation and/or enunciation.  The Lao, Isan, Cambodian and Khmer languages have much in common so when you learn Thai, you will be able to easily adapt to other dialects and many other Asiatic languages. Because of the differences in the alphabet, Thai will be a different learning experience, but definitely worth the time and effort.

Though many Thai natives speak English and many visitors manage well without speaking Thai, it is so much more enjoyable if you learn (at a minimum) some basic Thai before going.  For one thing, you can understand what the natives are saying (about you?) and that can be very helpful sometimes, especially in an uncomfortable situation.  You will be able to explore and shop on your own without the cost and bother of a guide.  And besides, you will be the visitor – it is only reasonable that you try to speak their language as a courtesy to them.  Even if you don’t do it well, they will appreciate your efforts and show you respect in return.

You might be apprehensive about trying to learn a new language, or think it is too expensive, or too time consuming.  But surprisingly enough, learning a language has become much easier over the past few years. This is due mainly to the internet and interactive learning. As speed learning has increased, cost has decreased so now you can go online an hour or so a night (at minimal cost) and before you know it you will be speaking like a native. If you’re unsure if this is the right way for you to learn a new language, not to worry. Transparent language offers free language software for you to download! Give it a whirl, and see if it’s right for you.

There are other reasons for learning a new language as well.  Think about the following points:

Brain Stimulation and Life Skills Improvement:

The brain is stimulated by learning a new language and cognitive/life skills are increased as well.  The old phrase “Use It or Lose It” is actually true when it comes to brain power.  As we age we must constantly challenge our brain with new thoughts and activities.  And this challenge has to begin early in life and continue as we age.

Simplify Your Life:

Learning the language of your host country makes your day to day life much easier.  You will not need a guide everywhere you go, you will be able to avoid the hassles of shopping for the best buys, you will be able to merge into the ebb and flow of native life without feeling like a stand-out, and you will become a part of the local landscape.  Imagine yourself in the crowd at an impromptu performance of native theater or dancing – you won’t have to wonder what the narrator is saying or when to applaud/cry/cheer, etc.  You will have an enhanced appreciation of everything Thai.

Communicate Directly With The Locals:

You will be able to learn first hand the Thai culture, habits, values and religion if you speak with them in their own language.  You will be able to better appreciate their attitudes and attributes.  You will be able to explain your own position on issues; remember what the people think of you is what they will think of all people of your country.

Improve Business Possibilities:

If you can speak the language, business can be transacted faster and without all the bother of translators. Business will increase and be more profitable when you are able to negotiate on your own, face to face.

Be Appreciated By The Locals:

Native people will appreciate the fact that you have made the effort to learn their language.  Whether you have mastered it or not, the effort you made to try will be noticed as it means you have a respect for the Thai people. Respect is very important to the Thai, both in public and in private life. If you respect them, they will respect you.

In conclusion, you are going to have a wonderful visit to Thailand.  Their relatively conservative values, their love of family, their exotic music and colors, their tolerance of religions, their industrious nature and their partiality to the tourism industry will all impress you. You will want to return again and again.  Your knowledge of their language will indeed serve you well and will have been worth the time it took to learn it.

This might be for a few innocent days, which is not the end of the world, but in the case of longer-term expats, it may end up becoming months or even years.

In the case of just a few days, you can usually settle up on your visa by going to the immigration office in whatever city you live in and paying a small fine—I believe it is about 500 baht per day. In fact, an even better idea is to get over there before your visa expires and pay for a one week extension. The fine will buy you a few days to get to the board and get a proper visa renewal—and
no problems.

Even the long-term overstays can just show up at the airport when they are ready to go, with a ticket in hand. In these cases, the ultimate maximum fine they can be subjected to is 20,000 baht—which for many people is worth just overstaying rather than constantly going on visa runs. In the great majority of cases, they have no problems just paying the fine, getting on the plane, and leaving the country.

But if the immigration officer is having a bad day, it can be worse. They have the right to arrest you and force you to go before a court, which means a couple days in jail. Even then, you will likely be forced to pay only 20,000 baht, but be aware that in these long over-stay cases, another option within the law is 2 years in jail.

This very rarely happens, and for that reason, many foreigners choose not to renew their visa and gladly pay their fine on the way out.

But the problem arises if you get stopped by the police before you turn yourself in and get busted for having an expired visa without turning yourself in. In these scenarios, even if it’s just a day or two, you will most likely be arrested, deported back to your home country, and it is possible to even be blacklisted—though this isn’t likely to happen for such a small overstay.

To make matters worse, and this isn’t confirmed yet, recent reports have surfaced of immigration announcing that the policy has changed and that anyone overstaying 42 days or more will not be let onto the plane when leaving. Rather, they will be put in jail and made to see a judge to have their case considered.

This announcement has caused an uproar online and many are saying a month warning would have given for over-stayers a chance to get out of the country due to the new policy. Now, other reports are now saying the first report was false to begin with. The matter has still not been cleared up as of writing this article.

So why have I mentioned it here at all?

The reason is that I want you to be aware of the danger of taking advantage of loopholes in countries you don’t necessarily understand. The best policy is to stay current on your visa at all times.

In fact, make sure you renew EARLY every time, and here’s a tip, set your date calendar in your cell phone so that you get reminded. Don’t have a cell phone while traveling? Use a Gmail account as your email and you can use Google Calendars to have an email sent warning you in advance.

If anything else, just watch the date like a hawk and don’t put yourself at risk.

You’ve been warned, and I’ll post in the comments when I get to the bottom of the truth with the recent overstay situation.

UPDATE: Before I even had the chance to post this, it was announced by one member on a forum that he left Thailand after the initial report that started the scare mentioned above. With a 7 month overstay, he was not only allowed to leave by simply paying a fine but came back that same evening and was stamped back in. I’m leaving the article as is to stress once again–because of the possible volatility of the situation, DO NOT ever overstay your visa.

Poker, specifically Texas Hold ‘Em, has gained a lot of popularity in the last decade as poker went mainstream, with games aired on ESPN and taking over dining rooms and garages all over the country. Introduce the growing popularity of the internet, and you’ve got poker like it has never existed in another era—devout players can find competitive action 24 hours a day 7 days a week simply by turning on their computer.

And while internet casinos are making a KILLING at the average citizen’s expense, they aren’t the only ones. Poker is not a game of luck; everyone should know that by now, and for those that still doubt, take this into consideration: Bluefire Poker, one of the top poker schools on the net, has made a (seemingly) bold move in an effort to break down the labels our society gives to poker.

They have challenged the President or any member of Congress to go up against any one of their pros and vowed $1 million would go towards the charity of the politician’s choice if they won the game, and if they lost they would only put up $1. Pretty good odds, eh—if poker was a game of luck…

But the reason Bluefire was willing to do so and the reason no Congressman is going to take them up on the offer is because they know Poker is really a skill that can be learned. Accepting the challenge would destroy Congress’ argument.

For those who know how to do it, making money playing cards online is easy.

Why?

Well, mainly because of people like you who watch it on TV or read an article like this dive in their blindfolded, thinking you will make some cash. The smart player educates themselves, reads book after book, studies the game and gains experience slowly so their money doesn’t disappear. They play the numbers game.  By applying the same exact unwavering strategy over the long run, the chips end up on their side of table, and people who still play it like it’s a game of chance walk away empty-handed.

But why do this in cold, expensive Britain or windy Chicago when you could be sitting in the Land of Smiles, playing online poker by the beach, palms tress swaying and a grin from ear to ear? This is what you call proper lifestyle design. What’s more—savvy players barely have to break even to make an income if they know how to move from online casino to online casino, taking advantage of signup bonuses to maximize their profits.

These guys are not just scratching by over here. Online poker is a lucrative endeavor. Groups of young guys barely out of high school are moving over here and pitching in their money to rent mansions in the tropical sun. With this cost of living, the good life comes at a deep discount.  Certain areas of Thailand are becoming havens for these guys, though it is still a bit of a secret actually where they lurk.

For some people out there, sitting in front of you computer all day doesn’t sound like the good life. But these guys love the game. They don’t mind living and breathing cards.

If this is the life you want to live, my word of warning is to be careful. These guys are out there making money, they are sharks, and new guys like you are the ones handing over their money. If you want to be a serious poker player, education should be your number one priority. Read some serious literature about playing cards before you even put yourself out there. Study it hard. Take notes, for god sakes. Learn the numbers and how to manage a bankroll.

Practice playing free games just to get a sense of how the cards work, but contrary to popular belief, playing free can be a dangerous way to learn because the game is different when players don’t have money on the line. It can become a good way to develop bad habits before moving onto the real games.

There are two ways to learn that I highly recommend. Number One: Pay for an online poker school. Be careful, because many are just out there to get your money, but there are some legitimate schools producing winning players. Through mentoring and real videos with audio commentary, players learn how to think like a winning poker player.

Number Two, and I think an even better way to learn, is to find a personal mentor. Find one of those guys who are out there winning. Most of us know at least one. What is an income and a mobile lifestyle worth to you? If they won’t teach you for free, offer to pay them. Demand results, and start learning. Winning poker on the internet is a very teachable thing to do, and many seasoned players are happy to train an eager student.

There you have it—one more way to live the Thailand dream. Pulling in a couple thousand US dollars per month is easy enough in internet poker, even at the lower limits of the game. But leveraging international currency differences in a country like Thailand is the ultimate addition to such a game plan. If you are already back home grinding it out in your parent’s basement, its time to come to your senses. And if you’re looking for a way to make this happen, its time for you to get serious about the game, pack your bags, and come play poker in the sun.

It might just be in the cards for you.

Disclaimer: Yeah, you’re completely on your own with this one.  People who do it know there’s a risk.  That’s where it becomes a game of luck, so if you get deported, taxed, or thrown in the clinker don’t send me a postcard.

For those who are struggling to live in Thailand without a retirement visa, things may have just gotten a little bit more difficult. People like us, with no business or wife or job in Thailand, had a good thing going called the back to back tourist visa. I explained this in my last post about visas.

Basically, you’d get a two month double entry visa and use a couple one month extensions to turn it into six months in paradise. Please see the original post for more details on how this worked.

Before, Thai embassies, especially the embassy in Vientiane, were allowing people to keep getting this same “tourist” visa. People have been living here for years simply by going back to Vientiane and getting a new visa again and again.

Suddenly, a wrench has been thrown in that carnival ride.

Thai embassies and consulates issued a statement in September of this year (2009) stating that they were going to get a lot more strict about enforcing the rules against back to back visas because they claim people are illegally working in Thailand and using the Thai tourist visa to do it.

And rightly so—that’s exactly what people are doing.

Not everyone qualifies for a resident visa, and this is their way of getting around the law.

So now people who are applying for the tourist visa are facing much more scrutiny. The point is to find out what their real motives are for being here, and 8 or 9 consecutive tourist visas is a pretty good indication that they’re not just passing through.

While it still seems a bit vague as to what qualifies as too many back to back tourist visas, embassy officials are now using a red stamp in the passport, which basically says the applicant has stayed too many times on a back to back tourist visa and that next time their application must be refused.

Please note that this is not an all-out rejection as first implied would happen by Immigration Bureau. Rather, it is a simple red stamp that directs no more back to back visas to be issued. It is also important to note this is more than fair warning to the traveler, who would then have 6 months to figure something else out.

But even if the red stamp warning is more than fair enough, I’m still not too happy about this change at all. It really doesn’t make sense to me why Thai officials would make it harder to stay here. I understand they want their laws to be followed and they want money to be taxed if people live in Thailand, but if they don’t have a realistic way for this to happen, as in easier ways to get a resident or working visa, then long-term travelers are simply going to find a new paradise to live in where they are more welcome. In the end, Thailand loses.

With the political tensions, more concerns about personal safety in Thailand, and continue increases in the barriers to living here, it seems like they seem set on making it difficult to stay, even though the expat population, legal or illegal, forms a significant chunk of economic activity. Thailand needs more money coming in right now, and I don’t think the answer is to push people away.

Well—enough whining. It’s their country, after all, and this is part of international living. What does it mean to you?

Well, if you are here for less than 6 months or even less than a year—probably nothing. And even us long-term expats can find ways around this.

You could always marry a Thai—that seems to be all the rave these days.

But if you’re not quite ready to make a lifelong vow with a woman you just met at the local pub for a piece of paper that lets you stay in Thailand, all hope is not lost. The most obvious loophole at the moment is the Education visa. Enroll in a couple classes at the university—particularly language classes—and you simply have to check in with Immigration every 3 months and do a visa run once a year.

The good thing about this is that it is actually a better option than the old visa a run scenario. Another benefit is that it might produce a lot more expats who speak the language—that’s something this country really could use. A lot of expats already use this loophole by signing up for classes and never attending, which does make me worry about this change ruining the opportunities for language study.

I recently signed up for Thai classes myself, simply because I actually want to learn, and it would be a shame to see officials make it more difficult to do that once people start taking more advantage of the loophole.

Honestly, I don’t see this new change lasting long, but I’m no expert—that’s really just my uneducated speculation. I think it is in Thailand’s best interests to think up a different solution. But until then, us perpetual travelers do what we can to keep the dream alive. And there’s always another uncovered loophole to find.

It’s not over yet; I’m willing to bet on it.

SEO, or search engine optimization, is a relatively new field of study and is always changing in complexity. Here is a basic run-down of what it is. Imagine you want to find something online—in this case we’ll imagine you are looking for a tailor in Bangkok. You would go to Google and type in something like “tailor Bangkok.”

On the first page of Google, there is a list of 10 businesses or articles related to your search. Now, what most people don’t realize is that being in those top ten positions often directly equates to big dollar signs. Think about this—how often do you go beyond that first page of Google to find a selection?

The answer is almost never. 85% or more of the time that you are looking for something via Google, what you are going to do is click on the first or second search result. And that means that the owner of the website has a golden opportunity to make a lot of money. It’s like having your shop located on a busy corner of downtown New York but you are on a corner frequented by citizens from all over the world.

What an SEO consultant does is get business owners up to the first page of Google, and if possible, into that number one spot. Most entrepreneurs have enough to worry about without learning everything there is to know about Google, and even if they did that, it is a full time gig to keep up with the constantly changing internet. They are willing to pay an expert to do this for them.

In cases where more customers mean big profits, they are willing to pay A LOT of money. For instance, a number one spot for a
Bangkok tailor is not quite as lucrative as a number on spot for, say, a New York attorney. If an attorney makes hundreds of thousands off one customer, they are not going to blink an eye when paying thousands and thousands of dollars per month to secure a high ranking position in Google.

You don’t have to necessarily market your services to Thai businesses, who do not have as much money as their New York counterparts—you can market them on the web or hire someone back home to pitch the service for you. But I wouldn’t completely rule out the Thailand market here either. A lot of Thai businesses want to access the international playing field, and there are many expat businessmen who very much understand the internet marketing world. I have met a couple SEO experts here in Thailand, and I can say they are doing VERY WELL for themselves.

Not an internet marketing expert?

Not too worry. While this stuff seems complicated to an outside perspective, it is not that hard to learn. By spending some time over at that Warrior Forum, the most popular internet marketing forum on the internet, you can start to learn the basics. Between the Warrior Forum, Google, and YouTube, you can basically learn everything you need to know for free. This is the beauty of the information age.

The best part about internet marketing besides that it makes global travel a reality is that it pays a lot of money. This is a very new field with a very bright future, and if you play your cards right you stand to make a lot of money. In fact, I would go as far as to suggest that this is THE most lucrative business opportunity of the new millennium. Thus, the Thailand dream not only becomes a possible reality but a very attractive one in which you are highly leveraged.

Do I need to include the normal pitch about working in Thailand without a permit? Probably not, but what the hell. You might be able to get a business license here, but I’m not giving advice, so talk to an attorney and realize it will be expensive. If you have a Thai wife or husband, getting a legal business will be fairly easy, but be sure you trust them (I hope you do if you’re marrying them, but if you’ve heard all the stories about what happens to foolish men here that I have…). And if you decide to work without the permit….well…

…people are doing it. People are getting away with it. But if you get caught, it’s your own problem.

How do I know this is a reality? Well, because I make my money as a freelance writer, of course. It’s not a bad gig at all—mainly due to the fact that you can do it from your laptop anywhere in the world. Most people think you can’t make money doing something like because of all the cheap writers out there—it doesn’t take much time over at the common freelance sites to realize the bulk of writers are writing for pennies of what you could ever afford to live on.

But the reality is this. People who pay cheap writers tire out quickly. Cheap writers are often from India and China—their work ethic is not in-line with the American and European Ideals, but they are not native English speakers. Many of them have a great handle on the language, but that still leaves a lot of awkward sentence structures and other compositions that don’t make sense to a reader who was born in a Western country. Talk to a few clients and you will soon have a collection of horror stories about hiring on the cheap.

The answer is people like us who want to take a Western work mindset and superior writing skills on the road. We bid higher and we don’t always get the jobs, but when we do we are being paid a premium and don’t have to work as long to make enough income as we would if being paid a lower price .

We can focus on higher quality, we have more time to relax, and the clients are happier with results. Everyone wins. Consider that the top 6 earning freelance writing companies on elance.com, the Internet’s number one outsourcing site, are all based in the United States. Go see for yourself.

Outsourcing is a growing business for many reasons. With the economic recession in full swing, more and more corporations and small businesses are rethinking the need to do everything in-house. Instead, they are shifting to online sources and having employees work from their homes.

While many people are crying foul and throwing a fit because they assume that means jobs leaving the country, what they have failed to realize is that a huge percentage of outsourcing is to Western companies and Western professionals. Furthermore, what this does for Americans, whether you want to travel or not, is provide the opportunity for an ideal lifestyle.

Instead of complaining that jobs are leaving the country, YOU can leave the country, or if you would rather stay at home, you can do that too. With a little initiative and perspective, we now have the ability to work anywhere in the world, whether it be a bungalow overlooking a beach in Koh Phi Phi or in our living room back at home. Remote working has become a very achievable reality.

Another reason outsourcing work has become so prevalent is that the Internet continues to grow in size, power, and functionality. More and more offline businesses are realizing they have no choice but to step up the game, but just because they want to market online doesn’t mean they have the writing skills or the time to write. There are plenty of people who need content for websites or articles to market their business. There is no shortage of work for online writers.

One great place to find work is to set up a profile on elance.com. Start out at a low rate, build up some positive feedback, and then begin to raise your prices. Think about it this way, if you can get your rate up to $10 for a 500 word article (very achievable), you could produce 5 articles 5 days a week, and you would be making $1000 a month—plenty to live in a place like Southeast Asia.

What’s more is that there is no real ceiling in this business if you commit to and deliver quality every single time. Set up a website to pull in more traffic, frequent internet marketing forums, scour craigslist for jobs, and build yourself a good reputation.

It is no stretch of the imagination to get double the prices I mentioned if you put your mind to it, and 10 articles or more a day is doable e if you put in the effort. Ebook writers often charge 1.5 times their article wiring rate, and experienced copywriters can make thousands of dollars off a single website.

There are also loads of opportunities for upsells in this business, as many busy Internet marketers need to outsource a lot more than just content production—seo optimization, website design, article spinning,, article marketing…. If you know what you are doing, it is very possible to make $1000 a day in this field.

In this plagued economy, outsourcing is one of the strongest, fastest growing industries there are. Opportunity is ripe to make your money, so consider stepping away from the stressed masses back home and heading off to a bungalow overlooking white sand beaches in some of the most magnificent locations in the world.

Sure, you’ll spend most of your time in front of your computer screen hammering away at the keyboard, but with the waves lapping the beach outside your window, a glass of fresh coconut juice sitting by your computer, and days of scuba adventure on the weekends, there’s really no reason to complain.

And don’t stop at freelance writing. Plenty of other stuff is being outsourced as well—admin, web design, programming, translation….you name it and it’s likely being outsourced.

The Thailand Dream is well within your reach. Grab hold.

Let me know if you have any questions or need advice about freelance writing by commenting here—I’m glad to give some pointers to those out there making the most out of life.

I always flirted with the idea of teaching English as a foreign language before learning to make money online.  It is truly a fantastic way to travel the world.  But what is the English teacher lifestyle really like?  Does it pay enough to make it worthwhile? 

Well, I’ll be completely honest with you.  An English teacher’s salary is pretty meager.  You won’t be living like a king out here on this package.  Most teachers make around 30,000 baht per month, which is just under 1000 US dollars, but it is definitely plenty enough to live a comfortable lifestyle in this country, especially considering that teaching jobs often take place in rural areas of Thailand where you can live for next to nothing.  Find a gig with paid housing and you’re really sitting pretty.

The better jobs pay up to 60,000 baht, which is a fabulous lifestyle, and to look into this even further, there are some really high paid jobs out there with private schools.  I’ve met experienced, qualified teachers from the States who make 100,000 baht and up.  3000 US?  You’re living like a rock star for that much in Thailand; just don’t bring your rock star habits to the classroom.  These positions do not come along every day.

One thing to realize, however, is that Thailand has increased expectations and now (legally) requires a Bachelor’s Degree for you to be a teacher.  But this is Thailand, and it won’t take too many hours off the plane to realize “legal” is a flexible term.  Most people still work by networking and talking with schools directly.  And you can always find work in the rural areas. 

One more idea too many people ignore is offering private lessons.  With the right clients, you can charge up to 1000 baht per hour for a one on one session—much better than the 200 per hour they’re paying teachers to juggle a whole classroom.  Many people I’ve mentioned this opportunity to say its not possible without the experience and a client list; in my own opinion it would be possible with some proper marketing.  High society Thais in Bangkok spend this kind of money at the cinema.

Not looking for a way to pay your way but still want to teach?  There are plenty of opportunities for volunteering as well, and it is a cheap way to travel while bringing yourself up close to the culture and cuisine.  Many schools will offer a volunteer paid housing, food, and pretty much an open door into their lives.  And Thai generosity is a very valuable thing to have on your side.

If you want to do this for a living, you will need a TEFL certification, which is valid for teaching all over the world.  There are programs scattered across Thailand with amazing packages that combine your certification, Thai language courses, and genuine teaching experience in some of the world’s most beautiful destinations.  Just Google your tropical destination of choice with the word “TEFL” and see what happens. 

Otherwise, try going to http://www.eslcafe.com/ to access more information and an international job board for teaching English around the world.  If English is your first language, you should consider yourself lucky.  It’s your ticket to international travel on the cheap and intercultural experiences that will blow your mind.  Take advantage!

Disclaimer: It is illegal to work in Thailand without a work permit, so those without a Bachelor’s may have to skirt around the rule.  People are doing it.  People are looking the other way.  But if you get in trouble, it’s your own problem.

When I first went to Koh Tao, like most people, I had one goal in mind and one goal only.  Scuba diving.  It’s the cheapest place in the world to become a  certified divemaster, and that’s why this island paradise has become the ticket to freedom for an increasing number of travelers.

Divemasters take out groups of tourists at local spots and assist instructors at the schools, of which there are no shortage on Koh Tao.  There are other places to dive in Thailand, much better places as a matter of fact, but none so cheap.

I myself had never even been diving before I showed up on Koh Tao’s shores, but as a thrill junkie I knew it was for me.  And as soon as I found myself thirty meters down, learning how to be weightless and watching the hulks of ships pass over as sunrays danced on the water, I saw I was right.

Being a divemaster in Southeast Asia is not the most lucrative decision, but the low cost-of living makes it easy and the laid-back island life makes it ideal.  And if you’re really ambitious you can start working towards your IDC certificate to work as a dive instructor, which is much better pay.

Even with the low pay, no one is complaining.  You wear sandals and shorts all day.  Get up in the morning or afternoon depending on your diving preference (or your hangover), and head out on the water with your training partners. 

You can go two times a day if you like, and a third if you’re not afraid of night dives.  Get done in the evening and go sit down on the shores at a local bar to watch firestick shows by the water.  Some green curry and a fruit shake, or some cold Singha beers.  Who needs to be rich with that kind of lifestyle?

At most schools, once you pay for the divemaster internship you can dive free for life and never graduate.  So even if you never want to be a paid diver and have another way to make money, you can always go back and keep diving for free.  Not a bad deal!

And a divemaster internship opens up opportunities.  You have basically create a way live in the most beautiful locales across the Earth.  Hawaii.  Australia.  Egypt.  The Philippines.  Belize.  All major dive destinations.  By getting certified in Koh Tao, you save, then you can head where the pay is considerably higher. 

It won’t take long on Koh Tao to see that’s the whole idea.  This beautiful little island has become a way station for die-hard travelers and diving addicts from all over the world.  Many have followed their diving dream around the globe and somehow always end up back on Koh Tao, even if it means so-so dive spots. 

If you’re looking for a way to stay in this amazing country—becoming a certified divemaster just might be the answer you’ve been looking for. 

You won’t regret it—I can assure you of that…

Note: It is illegal to work in Thailand without a work permit, but divemasters have to skirt around the rule. People are doing it. People are looking the other way. But if you get in trouble its your own problem.