BSAC is not new to Thailand, in fact, as long ago as 1968, a Thai student named Dr. Charin Chesapadan whilst studying medicine in the UK joined the Liverpool Branch of the BSAC. On returning to Thailand, he then went about forming what was to be, the first BSAC Dive Club in Thailand. These centres were at that time administered and serviced from the BSAC HQ in the UK. In 1999, initial discussions took place in Phuket, with the aim of moving the dive centre operations from the UK to Thailand in order to continuing to developing BSAC in Thailand as well as throughout South East Asia. Following many years of preparation, we launched BSAC Thailand in April 2009. BSAC Thailand can now provide local support to Thai BSAC Dive Centres and Thai Branches, with locally produced support material and immediate certification automatically linked back to national headquarters in the UK
Historically, with BSAC’s headquarters being located in the UK, one of the complications for dive operators wishing to provide BSAC training abroad has been sourcing teaching materials, and issuing certifications. Also, some of the courses are specifically targeted towards the UK market, rather than warm water diving. BSAC Thailand sets things straight, providing full regional support for BSAC Schools in Thailand, processing all certifications locally and tailoring course curriculums towards diving in the tropics. In addition to allowing easy access to BSAC training, BSAC Thailand liaises with other BSAC organizations throughout the world, developing an international network through which BSAC Members can travel to Thailand and enjoy our fantastic diving. Most notably are the BSAC UK, Japan, Korea. In Thailand, our work encompasses several areas:
• Facilitating BSAC training of inbound tourists visiting Thailand
• Servicing training in the Thai University system
• Forming BSAC dive clubs and branch throughout Thailand
• Developing exciting diving opportunities for overseas BSAC members from all over the world
• Providing full region support for BSAC Centre’s and Instructors in Thailand
As such our team comprises technical, commercial and logistical staff speaking both English and Thai to make all this possible. We also have capacity for BSAC’s other key markets such as UK Japan, Korea.
