I left in 2011.

I'd just turned 40, realized I'd planned to go to Thailand for 1 year and had already stayed for 8. Also realized I had no savings and if I did diving for another decade, I'd still be broke and my body would likely give out at some point. Was mulling all that over, and then my wife and I just decided over lunch one day that it was time to do something new, and that was that. We were gone two month later.

Covid hit that country hard financially. I have a lot of friends still there. Most live paycheck to paycheck, and when the divers stopped coming, it hurt. They're a tight community tho, and they helped each other out a lot. Most of the dive shops let staff sleep in the empty rooms, and everyone pitched in for food.

Its def a lot less touristy than Phuket. There is a surf shop in Bang Niang - which is one 'town' north of Khao Lak. I think the surf starts picking up about this time of year (April-ish). There is an expat scene, but it's mostly divers. Most know each other from working together. There used to be a bar called the Happy Snapper where most could be found, but I believe it's closed down now. Not sure where the new expat hangout is, but it shouldn't be hard to find.

Freediving is awesome, but yeah, I tend to hurt my ears way more often freediving than with tanks.

Sea Dragon is a cool shop. Both my neighbors worked there. I was at BigBlue for most of my time there, but got recruited by Wicked for my last season.

Yes, the Andaman side has a lot to offer. Khao Sok rainforest was right in our backyard. I was seasonal, but I had some friends stay year-round, and just surfed through the rainy season.

Dive Instructor/Shop Manager

you?

I scrolled through your profile. You have some amazing photos!!

I'm guessing it is a drone. Either that or OP is one heck of a climber. Not impossible as Krabi (known for excellent climbing/climbers) is nearby. But drone is more likely.

Awesome photo! I lived near here for about 4 years (in a town called Khao Lak - but the entire region is called Phang-Nga). We used to go here fairly regularly, it's such a cool landscape but we never saw it from above like this. Thanks for sharing!

It was Iron Butterfly - Soul Experience. I have no recollection of ever buying it, it's not my type of music. I've got no idea how I have it in my collection. Current value seems to be about 3 bucks.