Thailand (Lonely Planet, 13th Edition) - China Williams [625]
Most tour operators use open-deck kayaks since water and air temperatures in Thailand are warm. When signing up for a tour, find out if you or a guide is the primary paddler; some are more sightseeing than exercise.
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SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR DIVING
Before embarking on a scuba diving, skin diving or snorkelling trip, carefully consider the following points to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience:
Possess a current diving-certification card from a recognised scuba diving instructional agency.
Obtain reliable information about physical and environmental conditions at the dive site (eg from a reputable local dive operation).
Be aware of local laws, regulations and etiquette about marine life and the environment.
Dive only at sites within your realm of experience; if available, engage the services of a competent, professionally trained dive instructor or dive master.
Be aware that underwater conditions vary significantly from one region, or even site, to another. Seasonal changes can significantly alter any site and dive conditions. These differences influence the way divers dress for a dive and what diving techniques they use.
Ask about the environmental characteristics that can affect your diving and how trained local divers deal with these considerations.
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The rivers of northern Thailand offer white-knuckle white-water trips during and after the monsoon season. Trips are organised out of Pai ( Click here), Chiang Mai ( Click here) and to a lesser extent in Nan province.
Windsurfing enjoys a modest following in Pattaya ( Click here) and Phuket ( Click here). In general the windy months on the Gulf of Thailand are from mid-February to April. On the Andaman Sea side of the peninsula the winds are strongest from September to December. At certain times of year on Phuket, the normally subdued Andaman roars into shore with enough energy to steer a surfboard.
Rock Climbing
Way back before the Stone Age, Thailand sat at the bottom of a vast ocean that lapped against the Tibetan Plateau. When the ocean eventually receded and mainland Southeast Asia popped up, the skeletons of deceased marine life left behind a swath of chalk-white caves and cliffs the whole length of Thailand. While the Tibetans lost backyard surfing rights, the Thais got the milky-white, pock-marked, medium-hard limestone perfect for chalky fingers and Scarpa-clad toes. Fa·ràng backpackers were the first to slam bolt to stone in the mid-1980s, but the Thais have quickly followed suit. Rock climbing has become so popular that the Thais have begun sending climbers to amateur contests in the USA and Australia.
Krabi’s Hat Railay ( Click here) is Thailand’s climbing mecca. The huge headland and tiny islands nearby offer high-quality limestone with steep pocketed walls, overhangs and the occasional hanging stalactite. But what makes climbing here so popular are the views. Your reward for a vertical assault on a cliff isn’t just the challenge to gravity but also a bird’s eye perspective of a sparkling blue bay and humpbacked mountains.
If the crowds in Krabi are too much, check out Ko Phi-Phi or head north to Chiang Mai ( Click here).
Trekking
Wilderness walking or trekking is one of northern Thailand’s biggest draws. Many routes feature daily walks through forested mountain areas coupled with overnight stays in hill-tribe villages and elephant rides to satisfy both ethno- and ecotourism urges. Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai are the primary base points for these tours. Other trekking areas in the north include Mae Hong Son, Pai, Chiang Dao, Tha Ton, Nan and Um Phang. In southwestern Thailand, Kanchanaburi has become an outdoor